Toronto’s Hälsa: A Fresh Benchmark for Sustainable Housing with Mass Timber Construction

Toronto is witnessing a shift in its skyline with the near completion of Hälsa, a nine-story residential building in Etobicoke. This project marks a significant step towards sustainable construction in Ontario, utilizing mass timber and geothermal energy to reduce carbon emissions and address the city’s growing housing demand.

The Rise of Mass Timber in Toronto

In 2024, the Ontario government updated its building code to permit mass timber buildings up to 18 stories, fostering a new market for taller wood constructions. Hälsa, developed by Windmill Development Group, is poised to be the tallest residential mass timber building in Ontario, offering 60 rental apartments. The structure’s floors, walls, roof, and envelope are all constructed from wood, with prefabricated panels manufactured in Delta, British Columbia.

Prefabrication and Efficiency

The prefabricated approach to construction is central to Hälsa’s viability. Instead of on-site construction, Intelligent City, a British Columbia-based company, prepared the timber panels complete with windows and cladding. These panels were then shipped and assembled, significantly reducing construction time. Stephen Savell of Windmill Development Group estimates that this method can shorten construction by three to four months. Intelligent City co-founder Oliver Lang emphasizes that prefabricated mass timber is key to scaling up housing construction quickly.

Addressing Cost and Sustainability

Despite its eco-friendly design, maintaining cost-competitiveness with traditional construction methods was a priority. Savell noted that Hälsa ended up being “a few percentage points” more expensive than a cast-in-place concrete building, but considers it an archetype for future prefabricated structures. The goal is to replicate the design at scale and reduce costs over time. The project aims to demonstrate that sustainable building doesn’t necessarily require a premium price.

Geothermal Energy and Carbon Reduction

Hälsa incorporates geothermal energy for heating and cooling, utilizing 12 wells drilled 180 meters underground by Diverso, a Mississauga-based geothermal energy company. This, combined with the use of mass timber, significantly reduces both embodied and operational carbon emissions. Mass timber sequesters carbon, whereas geothermal energy minimizes reliance on fossil fuels.

Intelligent City’s Expansion Plans

British Columbia-based Intelligent City, which utilizes robotic manufacturing, is planning to expand its operations to Ontario with a new factory slated to open in 2027. Oliver David Krieg, president of Intelligent City, highlights the need for local manufacturing to reduce transportation costs and logistical challenges. Currently, the company shipped prefabricated lumber pieces across the country to penetrate the Ontario market.

Toronto’s Growing Momentum in Mass Timber Construction

While British Columbia has been a leader in mass timber construction, with projects like Brock Commons at the University of British Columbia, Ontario, and particularly Toronto, are rapidly catching up. The University of Toronto’s Academic Wood Tower, set to open this year, will be the tallest wooden university structure in Canada. Krieg notes that Toronto is now exhibiting stronger dynamics in mass timber construction than Vancouver.

Looking Ahead

Hälsa represents a pivotal moment in Toronto’s construction landscape, showcasing the potential of mass timber and prefabricated construction to deliver sustainable and efficient housing solutions. As the city continues to address its housing shortage and prioritize environmental responsibility, projects like Hälsa will pave the way for a greener and more resilient built environment.