Discover Sustainable Luxury in the Dream Home: R-House at the 2012 National Home Show March 15, 2012

Be inspired by this year’s Dream Home R-House designed and built by PROBUILT by Michael Upshall and presented by the Toronto Star at the 60th anniversary of the National Home Show (March 16 to 25, Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place). Discover sustainable luxury, experience revolutionary home building technology and see the latest decor ideas in this ultra-modern 3600 square foot energy efficient home. For additional information on the Dream Home R-House, please visit www.probuilt.ca.

In response to the global challenge of creating a more sustainable society, the Dream Home R-House is designed to bring contemporary green design to the mass market. The Dream Home R-House displays everyday life in three distinct areas: the main house, the guest house and the courtyard. The central courtyard acts as a social hub and a sanctuary around which the entire house revolves.

The Dream Home R-House uses environmentally friendly materials for both structure and interior finishing. The heavy timber structure celebrates the tactile qualities of wood. Combined with warm materials like wood panels and stone it is contrasted against the smooth precision of contemporary materials such as glass, concrete, and metal.

Everyone embraces green living, but not everyone loves the modern, sterile vibe that goes with it. As a result, Michael Upshall and his design team: architecture by Craig Crane and Robert Mitchell, lead interior designer Michelle Mawby (main building) and lead interior decorator Jackie Glass and Associates (guest building), with help from James Loppie, Emmanuel Belliveau, Jackie Morra, Ron Perruzza, Keith Vanderkley, Bruce Rowntree, Nancy Bowslaugh and design students from Humber College; have designed and built a space that is not only eco-friendly and uses sustainable products but pays keen attention to comfort, warmth and above all, style through the use of texture and colour.

Major suppliers for the Dream Home R-House include Monarch Windows, Perola Kitchens, Normerica Authentic Timber Frame, Structurlam and Sound Solutions Architectural Products.

The Dream Home R-House is designed to generate its own energy from renewable sources; it harvests rain water, manages its own waste, and promotes occupant health and well being. A living wall and water feature in the courtyard will create a self-sustaining interior ecosystem. A green roof of self-sustaining vegetation stretches across the flat roofs while vertically farmed walls produce organic food sources.

The Dream Home R-House incorporates such smart home technologies as home automation controls, smart security systems, and new technologies such as mirrored TV’s and in-wall audio systems.

The project is set up as a contemporary build to allow for ease of transport to and from the show. The National Home Show build is built on site inside the Direct Energy Centre in only 7 days. Following the show, the Dream Home R-House will be transported to a build site and used as a model home for a sustainable living community project.
Michael Upshall and the Dream Home R-House team will be speaking centre stage at the National Home Show:
Saturday, March 17 5:00pm
Monday, March 19 2:00pm
Tuesday, March 20 4:00pm
Thursday, March 22 4:00pm

National Home Show Dates & Hours:
March 16 - 25, 2012
Weekdays & Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 18: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 25: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tickets:
Adults: $20.00 at the door / $17.00 online
Senior (65+): $17.00 at the door / $14.00 online
Children 13-17: $16.00 at the door / $13.00 online
Children 12 years & Under: FREE
2 Day Pass $29.00

National Home Show Venue & Location:
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place (100 Princes' Boulevard, Toronto)