Student housing project recognized for sustainable, community-centered design.

We are proud to announce that Harmony Commons at the University of Toronto Scarborough has been recognized with a design award from The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design!

Harmony Commons is the largest Passive House-certified dormitory in the world and the largest Passive House project in Canada. The building consumes 70% less energy and produces 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions per person than comparable dormitories. This is achieved through a high-performance building envelope, advanced heat recovery systems, and an all-electric infrastructure powered by Ontario’s renewable energy grid. Even with a commercial kitchen serving over 3,000 meals daily, the facility operates entirely without on-site fossil fuel combustion, setting a new benchmark for sustainable large-scale housing.

Beyond its environmental achievements, Harmony Commons fosters a thriving, interconnected student community. Home to 746 first-year students and Resident Advisors, the building features shared residential clusters with study spaces, gathering areas, and communal kitchens to encourage collaboration. The ground floor offers a full dining hall—the first of its kind on campus—along with student support offices and event spaces that serve the broader university community.

By merging sustainability and student-centered design, Harmony Commons sets a new global standard for university housing, demonstrating how institutions can take the lead in addressing climate change through innovative architecture.

Congratulations to everyone involved!