4.5K 
As student numbers continue to increase, universities are facing the mounting challenge of providing adequate and innovative housing solutions. The University of Toronto Mississauga’s Student Residence aims to address these challenges through a thoughtful design strategy that emphasizes communal living.
The project's design is the product of a collaborative effort from Montgomery Sisam Architects and Christensen & Co, a renowned Denmark-based firm, but it is not the first iteration. The architecture duo's earlier draft, pictured below, has now been reconfigured in favour of a more curving exterior expression. Planned for the intersection of Outer Circle and Residence Road, in the southwest region of the campus, the proposed building is set to have an area of 10,800 m².
The seven-storey Student Residence, currently in the pre-construction phase, is intended to harmoniously integrate with the campus's existing structures. The building is designed to house up to 400 students across 226 units, with an equal number of single and double rooms. These residences will serve mostly first-year students, along with some single bedrooms for upper-year students acting as Dons, as well as a ground-floor apartment for a Residence Life professional.
The building's layout is split into two distinct parts. The podium is set to accommodate the building's community functions, such as the lobby, conference room, music room, games room, laundry facility, and event hall. The upper stories are to accommodate the residential functions, featuring student bedrooms, shared washroom facilities, common lounge areas, and study rooms.
The building's mass is distributed across three slightly dislocated volumes, meant to mirror the curves of the landscape and existing university architecture. An opening between two volumes at grade is planned to allow for a passageway, connecting the enhanced plaza with new and existing pathways.
Inspiration for the design is drawn from University of Toronto Mississauga’s ravine setting, resulting in a wood-clad podium at the base. The upper levels, wrapped in a copper-toned aluminum skin, are designed to shimmer in the sun. The intended effect is to create the illusion of living in treetops. These design elements, including a bioclimatic envelope, also support the University's energy mandate.
The project emphasizes the creation of a strong community within the residence. The design incorporates numerous common spaces and shared hallways, including wall art, benches, and small niches to foster an environment of informal meetings and shared experiences. The design concept revolves around the Danish concept of 'hygge', promising a space that embodies comfort and coziness.
Montgomery Sisam and Christensen & Co have integrated several of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the design. These include measures to optimize energy and water use, integrate solar panels, explore potential for geothermal heating, and work with water harvesting for reuse.
Set for completion in 2024, the Student Residence looks ahead to a new age in student housing, addressing this pressing need for undergraduates through innovative design and community-building.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
* * *
UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.
