FOS case study: Strategically planning a university’s future

Cannon Design Facility Optimization Solutions (FOS) assisted with a series of assessments for Knox College in Toronto.

By Joe Cassata, Cannon Design August 19, 2013

Nearing the 100th anniversary of its relocation to the heart of the University of Toronto, Knox College needed to evaluate the state of its buildings. One of North America’s finest examples of collegiate Gothic architecture and also a community asset, Knox College’s cathedral needed repair and modifications to enhance its accessibility and make it viable for the future. Unsure of whether to invest in the building or relocate to a less advantageous location in the City of Toronto, Knox College asked Cannon Design Facility Optimization Solutions (FOS) to assist with a series of assessments.

The FOS team undertook a comprehensive facilities assessment of 83,000 sf of educational, common and residence spaces including the evaluation of the building envelope, universal design compliance and the MEP/structural systems.

The team utilized its proprietary software to gather facility data and deliver a phased plan to Knox College that would allow it to stay in its current location. The phased plan calls for significant renovations to washrooms, ventilation systems, sewer piping and electrical power distribution systems to deliver significant operational savings.

“Cannon Design’s FOS team helped us advance our strategic planning process on multiple levels,” said The Rev. Dr. Dorcas Gordon, Principal of Knox College. “FOS helped us to assess the viability of staying in our current location including whether or not we were able to allocate the required capital resources. This level of data and planning helped us make the renewal project a reality.”

Other efforts of the project call for the installation of multiple lifts to increase accessibility and also renovations to the residence. The project will translate to long-term cost savings for the college and an enhanced student experience.