As the first new university created in Ontario in 35 years, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology demanded an efficient, rich and efficient campus to form a solid foundation for the university’s future success. To achieve this, the project strategy incorporated emerging technologies, sustainable design, architectural design and campus planning. One of the key goals of the Master Plan was to create a sustainable campus that limits energy and resource consumption while providing a supportive and inspiring environment. Another guiding element of the project was the design concept of an academic village overlooking the Oshawa Creek ravine. The project design looked to create a strong campus identity that fosters social and academic interaction and responds to the ecological context of the site. The key to achieving these goals was to find the efficiencies and opportunities that crossed and connected various disciplines.

The centrally located quadrangle forms the intellectual and social commons of the University. Here the integration of buildings and landscape defines the campus identity visually and spatially and serves to promote chance encounters between students, professors and researchers. The landscaped quadrangle overlooks the ecologically sensitive Oshawa Creek watershed, which occupies an important place in the campus design. Extensive technology and design-based water-saving measures ensure that the watershed is minimally disturbed. Significant energy reductions are achieved by one of North America’s largest geothermal fields, which heats and cools the buildings.

The 214,000 square foot Science Building consists of two connected structures, A1 and A2, which were the first buildings to be completed as part of the campus master plan. The buildings are connected to the campus landscape and to the adjacent buildings in order to facilitate both social and interdisciplinary interaction. Both buildings are designed around a central sky-lit atrium that provides a point of orientation, gathering and connection for students and faculty and allows natural light to penetrate the interiors. Exposed concrete masses store and moderate thermal energy while the buildings are ventilated with displacement ventilation. In recognition of the shifting future needs of the university, all of UOIT’s buildings are designed to be highly flexible and adaptable to future program needs and teaching configurations. Offices, lounges, study areas, and even lecture halls and labs can be swapped without major structural or mechanical revisions to the base buildings.

Energy Conservation Features

Other Sustainability Features

Drawings

64%	ESTIMATED REDUCTION IN ENERGY USE	National Average Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 1,696 MJ/m2 (471 ekWh/m2)
		Building's EUI: 615 MJ/m2 (170 ekWh/m2)



	Green roof The vegetated roofs reduce unwanted heat gain from solar energy, combat heat island effect, encourage rainwater absorption and provide higher quality air for mechanical systems. [ CLICK FOR Building Envelope ]



	displacement ventilation Excess heat is harvested with a heat wheel in the atria which serves as the main return air duct. The system works with the raised floor access system. [ CLICK FOR Heating, Cooling & Ventilation ]



	Storm Water Management strategy Fabricated wetlands, biofilters and ponds integrated into a series of gardens, courtyards and naturalized landscapes cleanse runoff water before it joins the Oshawa creek watershed. [ CLICK FOR DETAILS ]



	central sky-lit atriums Both buildings are designed around a central sky-lit atrium that provides a point of orientation, gathering and connection for students and faculty and allows natural light to penetrate the interiors. [ CLICK FOR Solar Shading, Daylight & Lighting ]



	Borehole Thermal Energy Storage System Significant energy reductions are achieved by one of North America’s largest geothermal fields, which heats and cools the buildings. [ CLICK FOR DETAILS ]



	WATER CONSERVATION Water for non-potable uses is drawn from nearby ponds further reducing use of potable city water. [ CLICK FOR DETAILS ]

Annual Energy Consumption – Energy Use Intensity (EUI)

Energy Cost

Compared to MNECB energy model