Health and Wellness Centre Renovation at Koffler

The University of Toronto (UofT) Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) will be situated within the iconic Koffler building at the northwest corner of College Street and St. George Street which marks the boundary of the UofT St. George campus as well as a gateway entrance. This transformative project aims to revitalize the existing space to better serve the health and wellness needs of students and faculty.

The HWC renovation project at 214 College Street includes renovating interior space, adding new circulation space (elevator landings), and upgrading exterior circulation space at the St. George entrance for improved barrier-free accessibility.

On the second floor, renovated areas will house administrative offices and multipurpose rooms within the East Wing, while the North wing will house counseling spaces and mental health offices. The third floor will house a mix of counseling rooms, examination rooms, administrative spaces, and shell space for a separate, future occupant.

A presence will be maintained on the ground floor for providing reception functions and promoting HWC programming. The project will improve access throughout the building by providing accessible connections between the multiple incongruent floor plates via a central elevator located in the atrium, which acts as a centroidal "spoke" providing access to both the North and East Wings.

The goals of the renovation are:

Increase the program area of the Centre
Support and enhance student experience through health promotion, wellness, and community, including access to daylight and views
Facilitate staff interaction between departments
Improve circulation and legibility for easy wayfinding
Improve accessibility into and within the building
Promote resiliency, sustainability, well-being, and low carbon energy solutions
Modernize the Centre

Phase 2 of the project is currently under construction, with Enform Architects working diligently to bring this vision to life. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to refine and enhance the UofT Health and Wellness Centre at Koffler Centre, ensuring it becomes a beacon of holistic well-being for the University of Toronto community.

In-Progress

Status

Phase 1: Back-to-Base complete (November 2024)

Phase 2: Under Construction

Principal-in-Charge: Alan Fraser

Lead Design Architect: Douglas Birkenshaw

Project Architect: Dylan Durst

Project Director: Nick Patterson

Structural & Building Envelope: Entuitive

Mechanical & Electrical: Smith + Andersen

Code: LMDG

Civil: MTE Consultants Inc.

Sustainability: Footprint

Landscape: HKLA Landscape Architects

Hardware Design: Upper Canada Specialty Hardware

Vertical Transportation: KJA

Project Team

3,146 m²

Area of Work

Proposed Energy Metrics

Compliance Path: SB-10 + ASHRAE 2013

Total Energy Usage Intensity: 86 kWh/m²

Energy Reduction: 29%

University of Toronto

Client

Heritage

The 214 College St. property is included on the City of Toronto Heritage Register and is designated Part IV under the Ontario Heritage Act. The building is three stories tall with a mezzanine floor and a basement level, with its principal façade along College Street. The original building was constructed in 1909, in the Beaux-Arts style, as the central reference library for the City of Toronto. The building was extended to the north in 1928. A modernist extension was added on the west side in 1959. In 1984, what was previously an external courtyard at the centre of the building was made into an atrium.

The former Central Reference Library

(Image taken 1918, courtesy of Toronto District Library).

Ground floor reception

The ground floor reception area serves as the primary point of entry into, ensuring easy wayfinding with a single entrance.

ground floor front desk looking east

ground floor front desk looking north

multi-purpose room

2nd floor lower level lounge

Second floor multipurpose room

Multi-purpose spaces will support and enhance student experience through health promotion, and enhance community engagement.

2nd floor corridor serving the multi-purpose room

Primary care and mental health services on third floor

These spaces are to be located within the Northern portion of the Second Floor and the Eastern and Northern portion of the Third Floor. The interior planning promotes natural light within the corridors and counseling rooms. The previously concealed 1928 roof structure will be exposed to enhance the user experience - adding volume, character and a distinct aesthetic.