Harmony Commons, a dormitory at the University of Toronto Scarborough, has been officially recognized as the largest Passive House building in Canada. Designed by Handel Architects, the building accommodates 746 first-year students and includes a dining hall and offices. 

Located in the northern area of the campus, Harmony Commons consists of three interconnected volumes arranged in a U-shape, with a central courtyard elevated above the dining hall. This courtyard, enclosed by a glass facade, reflects the traditional low-rise campus quad design while fostering a connection to nature. Handel Architects strategically positioned the building to maximize natural light and offer views of a preserved historic grove to the north. 

The Passive House certification, awarded by the Passivhaus Institut in Germany, signifies that the building meets rigorous energy efficiency standards. This designation also makes Harmony Commons the largest dormitory globally to achieve such certification. The architects implemented a range of strategies, including a high-performance envelope, energy-efficient systems, and heat recovery from ventilation exhaust and wastewater, to meet these standards. 

The building operates entirely on electricity and features windows designed to maximize natural light while minimizing heat loss. In comparison to a 2003 dormitory on the same campus, Harmony Commons uses nearly 70 percent less energy during peak heating conditions. Over an eight-month study, Handel Architects observed consistent energy usage, which is crucial for reducing costs and easing the strain on the electricity grid. 

This achievement adds to Handel Architects’ growing portfolio of Passive House projects, following the recent completion of the world’s largest Passive House office building in Boston. 

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