University of Toronto Oak House Development

Salas O’Brien collaborated with the University of Toronto (U of T) to provide comprehensive engineering services for the new Oak House community. This development features 508 bedrooms in the student residence tower and a commercial-grade kitchen operated by U of T’s Food Services team. Additionally, 10 townhouses are designated for faculty housing and
ground-floor retail spaces, all while preserving the site’s heritage elements.

Our team provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design services for student common areas, including study spaces, a music practice room, a fitness studio, and a project room on the mezzanine level, and the second floor houses two dining halls and a multipurpose event space. We designed the entire project with sustainability in mind, incorporating geo-exchange heating and cooling systems, among other features. The university is pursuing LEED Silver Certification and is aiming to meet the Toronto Green Standard Tier 1.