P002-17-145 - Infrastructure and Accessibility Renewal of Hart House

The University of Toronto is seeking responses to this RFP from qualified Architects (or teams of Architects) for professional services related to the infrastructural and accessibility renewal of Hart House at the St. George Campus. 
Hart House is essential to the University of Toronto experience. It is an architectural jewel on the St. George campus, the largest student centre on all three campuses, and the university’s premier co-curricular learning centre. However, crumbling and dilapidated building infrastructure puts Hart House in grave jeopardy. Hart House can no longer operate successfully without a significant capital renewal at a scale that has not been seen at Hart House since at least the early 1970s, if ever, since construction began in 1911. 
A 2018 study by VFA Canada identified that 50% of Hart House’s key infrastructure system components have exceeded their expected lifespans. In 7-years’ time, fully 61% of Hart House critical infrastructure will be older than its expected lifespan, with 35% deemed “very likely to fail.” Such a failure could carry catastrophic results for Hart House.  Hart House has reached the point where its risks are growing and discrete interventions can no longer sustain the building. The University risks damaging its reputation should Hart House suffer a catastrophic system failure or further allow the visible state of the building to decline.  
The Hart House Infrastructure and Accessibility Renewal Project aims to save Hart House by implementing the following general scope of work: 
    Mechanical and electrical infrastructure upgrades that will address current infrastructure of an urgent and critical nature – those components identified as posing a potential risk to the function or operation of the House in the immediate future – to prepare the House for another 100 years of operation.  
    The expansion of ventilation and air-conditioning to all areas of the House, with particular emphasis on the Fitness Centre and major programming rooms, such as Great Hall.
    Roof repair that anticipates selective replacement of sloped slate roofs, full replacement of all above-grade flat roofs and full replacement of the flat roof beneath the exterior central courtyard.
    A new barrier-free access ramp and South-Wing passenger elevator to be added to the West Main Entrance (adjacent to Hart House Circle).
    A new exterior passenger elevator for the exclusive use of the Fitness Centre (North Wing).
    Gallery Grill improvements to make it barrier-free.
    Replace the West Entrance ramp to have a code compliant slope.