First is just one

Visit with us the first certified active house in the world. Centennial Park Residence is located in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada, and will be in trial operation for at least six months after its completion. At the same time, it will serve as a show house. It is already clear that its ecological parameters will bring significant energy savings. However, what makes it truly attractive is the chosen approach to design that maximizes opportunities for natural light and fresh air.

The Centennial Park Residence project originated from collaboration and shared experiences between Danish and Canadian experts. The house was designed in Europe. The designers and the main investor realized from the beginning that for such a progressive project to succeed in the market and be competitive, it had to meet two conditions - be financially acceptable for potential buyers and also be well executed. The use of prefabricated components helped meet both expectations, as there is less ecological waste compared to traditional masonry construction. An advantage of the prefabricated parts was that the house was first constructed in a factory, where simulations on a real model were used to eliminate heat leaks. Only after testing the airtightness in the production hall was the construction carried out on the actual site. The main investor, Great Gulf, provided measured data to the other partners involved in the implementation. The quality and efficiency of individual processes were facilitated by the use of BIM.

The radar of the active house shows the overall performance of all three factors: energy, comfort, and environment.

Turning Towards the Light

The house, with a C-shaped floor plan, has both side wings open to the garden over two floors. The central living area on the ground floor, as well as the staircase, are literally flooded with light. Floor-to-ceiling windows create a strong bond between the interior and the surrounding environment, while also enhancing the sense of spaciousness within. The windows are triple-glazed, which ensures excellent thermal comfort for the house. The placement of the windows maximizes not only the effect of cross ventilation but also the chimney effect. Natural airflow helps reduce the demand for air conditioning. In addition to the window openings in the vertical structures, light and air are also brought into the house by VELUX skylights and operable roof windows.

Active houses offer a healthier and more comfortable life for their users. They receive certification based on the interaction between energy consumption, indoor climate conditions, and minimal impact on the environment. The use of renewable energy sources is a given.

Smart

Centennial Park Residence is advanced in terms of intelligent management as well. However, it is not complicated to operate. Seamless and reliable systems have been used to monitor and regulate various aspects of the building. The house is equipped with Tesla's Powerwall technology. This is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery managed by a system that allows for better energy management and reduced electricity consumption during peak times. The Powerwall can also be used as an emergency power source if needed. The house features Wi-Fi thermostats, wireless lighting controls, and sensors alerting to water leaks. The VELUX skylights are fully programmable - they can automatically open and close as needed thanks to the VELUX INTEGRA® home automation system. The heat source for the house is a heat pump and a three-zone furnace located in the central area on the ground floor.

First for Testing

To better understand how the active house operates, the first six months of Centennial Park Residence will serve for testing purposes. VELUX's technical manager in Canada, Russell Ibbotson, will move in here with his wife and three children. As Russell explains: "Today, it is not such a problem to build an active house. However, I want to share my real experiences with its use. I want to document how the indoor climate affects my family both physically and psychologically."

He will share his experiences on his blog. Russell's story will also include a number of scientific experiments - using sensors, values of CO2, indoor temperature, and the length of daylight during different seasons will be documented. The results can then help experts improve future projects.

Russell's wife, Bethany, is a biologist. During the six months of living in the house, she aims to focus on observing her three children's interactions with the life in Centennial Park Residence and how it influences their ability to play, learn, and rest. A perspective on the world through children can provide invaluable information for civil engineers and architects in the future.

Characteristics of an Active House Its indoor climate supports health, comfort, and well-being. It has good indoor air quality, satisfactory thermal comfort, and appropriate visual and acoustic comfort. Regulating the optimal climate is easy to control, which also encourages responsible user behavior for sustainable operation. It is energy efficient and significantly exceeds the legal minimum in the field of energy efficiency. It is constructed from environmentally friendly (recyclable) materials and has minimal impact on the environment.

Author of the text: Denisa Slančová; Photo: Igor Yu