{"id":9515,"date":"2018-10-18T02:01:30","date_gmt":"2018-10-18T06:01:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mike-doyle.com\/mjdixon\/?post_type=portfolio&p=9515"},"modified":"2025-09-26T15:51:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T19:51:16","slug":"university-of-toronto-university-college","status":"publish","type":"portfolio","link":"https:\/\/mjdixon.ca\/project\/university-of-toronto-university-college\/","title":{"rendered":"University of Toronto – University College Revitalization & Infrastructure"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1537298337619{padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background: #15365f url(https:\/\/mjdixon.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/mjd-bg-pattern-blue.png?id=9586) !important;background-position: 0 0 !important;background-repeat: repeat !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1539796697709{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-building” color=”white” size=”xl” align=”center” css_animation=”fadeInDown”][vc_custom_heading text=”Project Name” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text font_size=”17px” text_resize=”yes” text_minimum=”13″ css=”.vc_custom_1584542239127{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}” font_color=”#ffffff”]<\/p>\n

University of Toronto – University College Revitalization & Infrastructure<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1539796289839{padding: 20px !important;}”][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-user” color=”white” size=”xl” align=”center” css_animation=”fadeInDown”][vc_custom_heading text=”Owner” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text font_size=”17px” text_resize=”yes” text_minimum=”13″ css=”.vc_custom_1537252188639{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}” font_color=”#ffffff”]<\/p>\n

University of Toronto<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1539796298783{padding: 20px !important;}”][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-star” color=”white” size=”xl” align=”center” css_animation=”fadeInDown”][vc_custom_heading text=”Prime Consultant” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text font_size=”17px” text_resize=”yes” text_minimum=”13″ css=”.vc_custom_1537252198742{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}” font_color=”#ffffff”]<\/p>\n

Kohn Shnier Architects<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1530965056405{padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1530965062953{padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Description” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=””]University College, located on King\u2019s College Circle on the University of Toronto\u2019s St. George Campus, is the university\u2019s oldest academic building having been constructed in 1856. Recognized as a National Historic Site by Parks Canada and listed on the City of Toronto\u2019s Heritage Register, the building is an architectural landmark of Gothic Revival design. The three-storey structure, includes a basement and a central courtyard, and continues to serve as an academic hub housing classrooms, lecture halls, offices, and event spaces.<\/p>\n

This project involved the strategic revitalization of University College to enhance its functionality, improve barrier-free accessibility, and celebrate the historic character of the building. The scope included partial renovations of the south and west wings, classroom upgrades, and the transformation of the Croft Chapter House into a new conference centre on the southwest side. The West Hall was renovated, and a new mezzanine was constructed in the East Hall to accommodate a relocated library. Additional work included office renovations on the second floor and the conversion of a third-floor classroom into a student caf\u00e9, creating vibrant and inclusive student spaces.<\/p>\n

A key priority of the project was the significant improvement of barrier-free access throughout the facility. This was achieved through the construction of new accessible ramps in the southwest wing and the installation of a new elevator tower within the central tower. The project also included major upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems, including a new generator, chiller, and cooling tower, as well as updated HVAC, power, and IT infrastructure.<\/p>\n

All work was carried out with a strong conservation approach, respecting the building\u2019s heritage elements while seamlessly integrating modern systems and accessibility features.<\/p>\n

This exceptional heritage renovation project has been widely recognized for its excellence, receiving multiple awards:<\/p>\n