> BUILDING BLOCKS

The Active House Alliance, based in Denmark, has built dozens of homes around the world, including Russia, Malaysia and now Canada. Each Active House is evaluated on the basis of the interaction between energy consumption, indoor climate conditions and impact on the environment. Here are the key tenets of the Active House: Comfort

A building that provides an indoor climate that promotes health, comfort and sense of well-being

A building that ensures good indoor air quality, satisfactory thermal climate and appropriate visual and acoustical comfort

A building that provides an indoor climate that is easy for occupants to control and at the same time encourages responsible environmental behaviour Energy

A building that is energy efficient and easy to operate

A building that substantially exceeds the statutory minimum in terms of energy efficiency

A building that exploits a variety of energy sources integrated in the overall design Environment

A building that exerts the minimum impact on environmental and cultural resources

A building that avoids ecological damage

A building that is constructed of materials that can be recycled