A cast of high-profile characters converged on 11 Custead Court near Centennial Park in Etobicoke last Friday for Great Gulf’s launch of the world’s first certified Active House. Among them was Denmark’s ambassador to Canada, Niels Boel Abrahamsen, pictured above, fourth from right, beside Great Gulf president Christopher Wein (in glasses). Active House, whose concept was hatched in Denmark, is designed to allow for maximum natural ventilation and full exposure to natural light and views. The house is equipped with a Tesla Powerwall rechargeable lithium-ion battery, to reduce electricity usage and provide backup power.

The Ibbotson family, including father Russell, an engineer who works for VELUX Canada, will occupy the Active House for six months to test drive it and monitor its systems. The experience will be chronicled online. The house was constructed with Great Gulf’s H+me Technology system, in an indoor automated home manufacturing plant that builds roof, wall and floor assemblies as integrated panels in a controlled environment, reducing waste and increasing energy performance with tight-fitting components. Great Gulf is a founding member of Active House Alliance Canada.