Spring House, a 54-unit supportive housing project in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood, will combine permanent homes for at-risk seniors with on-site healthcare and community amenities. Designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects, the development will use prefabricated mass timber to reduce embodied carbon and improve construction efficiency.

The project builds on Dunn House, the initiative’s first phase, which has reported a 52 per cent reduction in emergency department visits and a 79 per cent reduction in hospital stay duration.

Groundbreaking is anticipated by the end of 2026.

The development will provide 54 studio apartments, each with a private kitchen and bathroom. Residents will also have access to 24/7 on-site staffing and integrated health and social supports.

The design balances private living areas with shared amenities intended to support residents’ health, independence, and social connections. These include a large dining room, teaching kitchen, library nook, wellness and consultation rooms, and outdoor gathering spaces. A commercial kitchen will provide daily meals and support food security.

Montgomery Sisam developed the design with input from residents, Indigenous health partners, clinical stakeholders, and the South Parkdale UHN Tenants Association. The team also drew on post-occupancy research from multiple supportive housing communities to address residents’ daily needs.

Mass timber expression

Mass timber plays a central role in the building’s construction and architectural expression. A prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure aims to reduce embodied carbon while improving construction efficiency. Its point-loaded timber system also allows greater flexibility in the floor plan, while exposed wood brings warmth to interior spaces.

The project combines contemporary construction methods with a design that responds to Parkdale’s red-brick buildings, residential scale, and architectural character.

Spring House is targeting the Toronto Green Standard (TGS) Version 4 Tier 2. Its sustainability measures include an all-electric building system and a high-performance building envelope.