The Government of Canada marked the start of construction of the Moncton VISION demonstration home, an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home to be built in Moncton, New Brunswick. The home will be constructed by AlternaHome Solutions Inc. in partnership with VISION Land Development Ltd., as part of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC’s) EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative, which encourages builders and developers to build the next generation of sustainable housing in Canada.
Rob Moore, Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for CMHC, was joined today by Paul Arsenault of AlternaHome Solutions Inc., and Ken McPhee of VISION Land Development Ltd., along with sponsors and supporters, in the groundbreaking of the first demonstration home of its kind in Atlantic Canada.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to work with the private sector to develop such innovative homes. We congratulate AlternaHome Solutions Inc. on its winning design/concept and its commitment to environmental responsibility,” said MP Moore. “The Moncton VISION Home gives people in this region an opportunity to see first-hand how we can create beautiful, healthy homes, conserve energy and resources, and reduce pollutant emissions.”
EQuilibrium™ housing integrates a wide range of innovative technologies and practices to reduce a home’s environmental impact to a minimum. The Moncton VISION Home will integrate optimal solar orientation, energy efficiency and renewable energy systems into its design and construction to reduce energy use. Additional Moncton VISION Home features include extensive natural lighting, an energy management system, natural and mechanical ventilation, and the use of natural materials with low levels of pollutants. Rainwater will be captured to reduce water use.
“We are very pleased to work with CMHC. They, together with each and every member of the Moncton VISION Home team, have been working tirelessly to ensure the success of this project. The Moncton VISION Home has the potential to help people discover new ways of doing things, which in the long run, will help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and consequently reduce our negative impact on the environment. The Moncton VISION Home will lead, teach and inspire people to take charge of their own energy,” said Mr. Arsenault.
The Moncton VISION Home is one of 15 projects that won CMHC’s national EQuilibrium™ sustainable housing competitions since the initiative was launched in 2006. All EQuilibrium™ projects will be open to both the general public and professional audiences for tours, and then monitored for performance by CMHC for one year, once occupied.
CMHC’s EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative provides a new approach to housing in Canada, representing a fundamental change in the way Canadians think about their homes. It strives to balance our housing needs with those of the environment. It brings together — under one roof — the principles of occupant health and comfort, energy efficiency, renewable energy production, resource and water conservation, and reduced environmental impact.
CMHC has worked closely with many stakeholders to develop and deploy EQuilibrium™. In particular, CMHC has collaborated closely with Natural Resources Canada which has contributed substantial research and development expertise and resources to advancing the initiative.
As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant, healthy communities and cities across the country.
http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2009/2009-06-25-0900.cfm
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