MTE's Involvement
Planned as a centre for creative learning and performance, the HCH was designed to be the largest Zero Carbon Certified development for a college or university in Ontario, as recognized by the Canada Green Building Council. The project established a new benchmark for sustainable campus development with carbon emissions as the central performance metric.
Key features contributing to the project’s Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) certification included:
- Full Electrification: The building was designed to operate solely on electricity, eliminating natural gas use and associated carbon emissions.
- Ground Source Heat Pumps: Efficient heating and cooling systems reduced carbon emissions linked to electricity usage.
- Energy Efficiency: With a target Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 75 kWh/m² annually, the building significantly reduced energy demand.
- Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction: The use of mass timber reduced the building’s embodied carbon compared to traditional steel and concrete.
- Photovoltaic Solar Panels: Roof-mounted solar panels generated renewable energy to help offset electrical demand.
MTE was proud to provide civil engineering services for this landmark development on Humber’s West and North campuses.
Our work included detailed site grading, servicing, and stormwater management design to support Site Plan Approval, along with construction inspection services. The development added approximately 167,000 square feet of new space to the A/B Building (West Campus) and included the renovation of approximately 65,000 square feet within Building A and portions of Building L at the North Campus.
The grading design carefully respected existing site features while ensuring proper site drainage. MTE designed on-site watermain, sanitary, and storm sewer systems in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the City of Toronto’s design standards.
Stormwater quantity control was achieved by attenuating site runoff using an orifice plate within the storm sewer system. Additional stormwater quality improvements were implemented through the installation of an oil-grit separator and Low Impact Development (LID) measures.
Throughout the project, MTE conducted multiple site inspections and reporting activities to ensure that all procedures and designs aligned with the Ontario Building Code and Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) guidelines.