Ontario Construction News staff writer
Queens University in Kingston is preparing to build a new five-story residence building.
The structure will have between 315 and 335 beds, and the university says construction will start next May.
The university says it decided on the residence’s planned Albert Street location after three potential building sites were analyzed in March, 2019 by Diamond Schmitt Architects and Shoalts & Zaback.
“We’re strongly committed to the first-year residence guaranteed, so as we see enrolment growth over time, we want to make sure we can continue to meet that guarantee,” Leah Wales, executive director of Queen’s Housing and Services. said at a Nov. 6 information session.
The university plans to make the new residence completely sustainable by targeting LEED’s gold standard certification, a guideline it’s also using for the John Deutsch University Centre renovation and the pending expansion of Duncan McArthur Hall, the Queen’s Journal reported.
Corola Bloedorn, Queen’s director of design and construction, said the university is working with consultants to make sure the new residence’s design standards meet green criteria like avoiding construction in floodplains, reinstating the natural environment, and managing rainwater.
“We’re targeting gold, which is the second-highest level,” she said. The new residence aims to reduce on-site water and greenhouse gas emissions by metering how much energy is being consumed.
“It’s about every single detail of the building and trying to push the envelope in terms of sustainability.”
The university says the residence will be located on Albert St. on the campus’ north side. There are currently five university-owned houses there. Two of the houses (at 144 and 154 Albert) will be either partially or fully incorporated into the new building “in an effort to retain some of the look and field of the area.”
“Staff have worked closely with the city to date, and the project will not exceed five residential stories or encroach on the neighbouring daycare property immediately north on Albert. The university is committed to maintaining as many of the existing mature street trees as possible,” the university says in a statement.
“Part of the Site Plan Approval Application (SPA) to the city also includes the planting of butternut trees in the arboretum in front of Summerhill. This specific location for the planting will ensure that the butternut trees are protected.
“Our SPA agreement also ensures that the city’s standards for developing the land are respected, including assurance that the land is developed, designed and operationalized appropriately. The new residence building will not include a food service outlet, which will limit the number of deliveries to the building.”