Serra House, University of Toronto

Serra House, University of Toronto – Mechanical and Electrical Consulting

Project Overview

Project Name: Serra House
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Client: The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto

Architect: BNKC Architects Inc.
Project Type: Mixed-Use (Educational, Residential, Office)
Scope: Mechanical and Electrical Consulting Services

Serra House is a mixed-use development at the University of Toronto, integrating educational facilities, residential spaces, and office areas to support the university’s academic and community needs. As mechanical and electrical consultants, our firm, Genuine Engineering, delivered comprehensive design solutions to ensure efficient, sustainable, and code-compliant systems tailored to the project’s diverse functions. The mechanical systems prominently feature rooftop air handling units (AHUs) to meet the building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) requirements.

Role and Contribution

Our team provided mechanical and electrical consulting services, designing systems that support the building’s educational, residential, and office spaces. Key responsibilities included:

• Mechanical Design: Developed HVAC systems centered around rooftop air handling units, optimizing air distribution, temperature control, and energy efficiency across the mixed-use facility. Ensured systems met the unique demands of classrooms, residential units, and office spaces.
• Electrical Design: Designed power distribution, lighting, and control systems to support diverse building functions, ensuring reliability for educational equipment, residential amenities, and office operations. Incorporated energy-efficient lighting and backup power solutions.
• System Integration: Coordinated with architects and other consultants to integrate mechanical and electrical systems seamlessly with the building’s design, prioritizing occupant comfort and operational efficiency.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensured all designs adhered to Ontario Building Code (OBC), ASHRAE standards, and University of Toronto specifications, addressing sustainability and accessibility requirements.

Project Details

• Address: University of Toronto Campus, Toronto, Ontario
• Building Type: Mixed-use development combining educational spaces (e.g., lecture halls, study areas), residential units (e.g., student housing), and office spaces (e.g., administrative areas).
• Mechanical Systems: Rooftop air handling units (AHUs) for HVAC, designed to provide zoned climate control and high indoor air quality across diverse building zones.
• Electrical Systems: Comprehensive power distribution, LED lighting systems, and controls tailored to support educational technology, residential safety, and office productivity.
• Estimated Budget: Approximately $200 million
• Project Status: Ongoing as of May 2025, with mechanical and electrical designs completed or in progress to support construction phases.

Outcome

Our mechanical and electrical designs for Serra House delivered efficient, sustainable, and occupant-focused systems that enhance the functionality of this mixed-use development. The rooftop AHUs provide robust HVAC performance, while the electrical systems ensure reliable power and lighting across all building areas. Our collaborative approach with the University of Toronto and project stakeholders ensured designs met stringent academic and operational standards, contributing to the project’s success as a cornerstone of the campus.

Visuals

Note: The provided PDF (“Delete 2.pdf”) contains no images, renderings, or detailed descriptions of drawings. Page 2’s table structure may represent a misread diagram (e.g., HVAC layout or electrical schematic), but no data confirms this. Visuals such as rooftop AHU installations, system schematics, or building renderings could be included in a complete portfolio. If available, these can be extracted from project documentation or provided separately.