Panneaux interprétatifs anglais

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Hall’s Creek Villages Conservation of 30% of the natural green spaces Different building types (residential, commercial, old age residence…) Green technologies for heating and lighting Houses gathered around a public area (to encourage social interactions) Creation and conservation of trails to encourage healthy lifestyles

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Energy efficiency Renewable energy production Biodiversity conservation Health (through physical activity) Environmental impact reduction The neighbourhood is used to educate citizens about : Hall’s Creek Villages

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What is an Equilibrium tm house? An initiative to demonstrate sustainable housing at the national scale, initiates by the CMHC . The creation of communities based on the health and comfort of occupants, on energy efficiency, on renewable energy production, on resource conservation, on reducing environmental impacts and on affordability. Construction of high quality sustainable housing that answer to the current and future needs of Canadians. Technologies, strategies, products and techniques that reduce resident’s ecological footprint. An ultra efficient and low environmental impact house, which provides the residents with a healthy living space.

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Conserve energy and resources in the Canadian housing sector Create healthy and high quality housing, that reduces costs for residents Contribute to the restoration of the environment and to green-house gas reduction Encourage the blossoming of renewable energy and sustainable housing industries in Canada Determine the next generation of Canadian value-added export products that can compete on internationals markets Goal of the Equilibrium tm initiative

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The VISION Home in Moncton, a 217m (2366 ft 2 ) house with attached garage, will be built by AlternaHome Solutions Inc. in partnership with the promoter, Synergy Urban Villages Inc. Maison Vision de Moncton

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Main floor plan of the Vision Home

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Second floor plan of the Vision Home

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Geothermal pump What ? The house’s heating and cooling system. How ? The heath from the ground is sent to the pump to warm the house in the winter. The opposite process takes place in the summer (the heath from the house is transferred to the ground). Advantages: Low function costs; low maintenance; no need to buy combustibles; reduced green-house gas emissions; long life-expectancy (20 to 50 years); savings of up to 65% of electricity costs. Disadvantages : High initial costs; need to dig a large surface at considerable depth; space needed to store the pump. Technologies of the Vision Home

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Photovoltaic (Solar Pannels ) What? This active solar powered system allows the capture, the storage and the distribution of the sun’s warmth. How? It included solar captors, a stocking mechanism and a distribution system. The sun’s rays are transformed and used to heat the house, warm the water and produce electricity. Advantages: maximizes the transmission of energy from the sun in winter to reduce or eliminate the need for other heating sources; allows to stock energy surpluses; reduced energy costs; relies on a renewable source; low maintenance; long- life expectancy (20 to 25 years guaranty, can last up to 40 years). Disadvantages: Elevated initial cost (8 000 $ to 10 000 $ per kilowatt installed). Technologies of the Vision Home

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Passive solar What? Heat and light the house with the sun, thanks to the building’s orientation, the size of the surface covered with window, their type and orientation, the house’s thermic isolation and mass and the building envelope as well as the surface and placement of shaded areas. How? South-facing windows allow the sun’s rays to enter the house (no solar gain to the east and west, minimal gain to the north in summer and solar lost in winter). Choose insulated glazing windows, which are less emissive. Concentrate the rooms used more often to the south of the house and strategically place broad-leaved trees. Advantages: Reduces the energy needed for heating up to 40%; offers natural light; no need for specialized equipment. Disadvantages: Might be helpful to install eaves above windows to assure comfort in the summer. Technologies of the Vision Home

Technologies of the Vision Home : 

Technologies of the Vision Home Sustainable and efficient building envelope What? Exterior coat that covers a building, separating the interior from the exterior and includes the carpentry, the air and vapour barriors , the insulation, the doors, the windows and the interior and exterior coverings. How? An envelope's efficiency depends on the chosen materials. Spray polyurethane foam, which is composed of recycled plastic, oil and soya residue, guaranties a sustainable envelop. Mineral wool, made from basalt (a volcanic rock), is incombustible, waterproof and et permeable to water vapour, while also being an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator. To fill cavities and attics, cellulose fiber, which is 100% natural and made from 80% recycled newspapers, is very efficient because it form a homogenous isolating cushion. Buildings’ thermic losses

Technologies of the Vision Home : 

Technologies of the Vision Home Energy storage What? A system of batteries used to store energy surpluses produced by the solar panels, so that the energy can be used during the evening or on cloudy days. H ow? Lead acid deep cycle batteries are popular and made to resist discharges of up to 50% of their capacity. They have a longer life-expectancy than other batteries and have thicker internal plates to better resist charge fluctuations. Many different types exist. Advantages: Advantages differ depending on the type of battery. Some are less expensive while others require less maintenance and can be placed indoors. Usually, they have a 7 to 15 years life-span. Disadvantages: A full charge at least one per week is necessary to maintain the battery’s life-span; their efficiency diminishes with time; they need maintenance (protection from corrosion, water added regularly, sensible to the cold).

Technologies of the Vision Home : 

Technologies of the Vision Home Rain water storage What? Stock rain water in order to use it at a later date and limit flooding during big storms. H ow? Rain water storage systems need a collecting surface, a vat and a pumping, filtering and distribution mechanism. Advantages: Constant water availability; less expensive if the vat is installed during the house’s construction. Disadvantages: Necessity of storing the water in a dark area, where the temperature is less than 17°C, to limit bacteria proliferation. In some cases, burying of the vat is required, to avoid freezing in the winter.

Technologies of the Vision Home : 

Technologies of the Vision Home Personalized ( sur mesure ) energy management measures What? System that monitors, controls and allows to save energy. How? A centralized energy management system allows savings of up to 40%, by controlling heat and illustrating electricity use, while offering personalized programing. Digital timers allow energy savings of up to 15% by working around the residents’ schedule and habits. Digital thermometers can be programmed according to multiple preferences (ex: comfort vs. ecological). Load-shedding devices save energy by temporarily cutting less important circuits, in order to maintain the consumed energy at a given amount. Advantages: Reduces the environmental footprint and green-house gas emissions; reduces the dependency on fossil fuels; diminishes costs.

Technologies of the Vision Home: 

What? Houses, being more and more air-tight for efficiency reasons, store pollutants and humidity inside. Therefore, ventilation systems can improve the residents’ health. How? Dual mechanism system: one that gathers and evacuates indoor air and the other that distribute fresh air from outside in the home. Both the interior and fresh air pass through the heat transfer module. The heat from the interior air is transferred to the entering fresh air, to pre-warm it. Technologies of the Vision Home Advantages: Uses little energy to maintain air at a superior level; recuperates 70 to 80% of the heat; diminishes green house gas emissions; renews all the air in the home in approximately three hours. High efficiency heat recovery ventilator ( HRV )

Technologies of the Vision Home : 

Technologies of the Vision Home Solar water-heater What? System that allows the use of the sun’s energy to heat the water used in the home. How? Captors in a glass structure absorb the sun’s rays, which are then transported to a circuit containing water and antifreeze liquid (called primary liquid). This liquid is heated by contact with the captors’ tubes and is redirected towards a metallic vat containing sanitary water, where a thermic exchanger allows heat transmission. The primary liquid returns towards the captors, to be heating once again and the vat is left full of hot water waiting to be used by the residents. Advantages: Depending on regions, solar water-heaters can heat 40 to 70% of all the water used; reduced electricity costs. Disadvantages: The captors and the solar water-heater must be installed in close proximity to one another; the vat must be placed in a heated or well isolated room; a back-up system is recommended for use during long cloudy periods. Chauffe-eau solaire avec capteurs et cuve sur le même châssis

Technologies in the Vision Home : 

Technologies in the Vision Home Use of natural materials, containing low levels of volatile organic compounds What? Suppression of sources of volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ; domestic chemical products or construction material), that degrades air quality in houses. How? Make judicious choices while deciding on materials during the construction of the house: only a few materials, such as glass, ceramic, metals and rock do not emit any contaminant. Take precautions, such as choosing products with little emissions or odours. Use water-based adhesives, coverings and paints. Limit furniture made of plywood or wood particles and avoid pine and cedar woods. Cover the insulation with a sheet of polyethylene. Advantages: Ensure a better air quality and can diminish health problems. Disadvantages: It can be difficult or expensive to obtain only materials with no or low VOCs .

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Examples of sustainable practices Every inch is planted Egg, Switzerland : Greening near businesses

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Examples of sustainable practices Freiburg, Germany: There is something planted everywhere Walking trails to get around the neighbourhood

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Examples of sustainable practices Switzerland : Garden in front of a house Montreal : Perennials are planted at the foot of trees

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Examples of sustainable practices Grapes on the house and other fruits in the hedges

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Examples of sustainable practices Use of a low elevation and perennials for a reading corner Clothesline on a tripod

Biodiversity conservation: 

Biodiversity conservation Traditional landscaping (grass, pavement, flower beds with annual and exotic flowers) does not encourage fauna and flora biodiversity A more diversified landscape will attract animals and insects Trees , shrubs and flowers offer food sources and habitats Some animals and insects are predators of insect pests Leave a large area untouched Biodiversity: the number and variety of organisms living on the planet (plants, animals, microorganisms, etc.), the communities formed by these species and the ecosystems in which they live.

Biodiversity conservation: 

Biodiversity conservation Plant native species Plant species that attract other species (that will possibly eat pests) Plant a variety of species that will bloom in the spring, summer and fall Install other animal habitats on the property Pile of branches, dead leaves, rocks or logs Pond Birdhouses Leave grass clippings and dead leaves to make a shelter for insects and small animals

Planting native (indigenous) species: 

Planting native ( indigenous ) species An indigenous species is adapted to the region’s: Climate soil conditions (water, nutrients, pH, etc.) insect pests and diseases Indigenous species adapted to the environmental conditions of the property help maintain it’s sustainability The use of other species adapted to the same conditions can give the same results

Planting native (indigenous) species: 

Planting native ( indigenous ) species Examples of New Brunswick native species : Canadian bunchberry Paper birch Witch hazel Rhododendron Serviceberry White cedar Wild strawberry Staghorn clubmoss Blue-bead lily Source : D. Gordon E. Robertson Source : Manuel Anastácio Source : Raul654

Alternative ground cover: 

Alternative ground cover Reduce impermeable or hard surfaces so the water can be absorbed Traditional grass requires a lot of time, water, fertilizer and money Low maintenance lawn: Choose a mixture of plants adapted to the region that require little care - Drought-resistant - Insect and disease resistant It is possible to modify existing lawn Sursemez les nouvelles espèces à chaque année, pour 3 ans Egg, Switzerland : parking area on precast concrete pavers Thym

Alternative ground cover: 

Alternative ground cover Many species can replace conventional grass Mosses , thyme , yarrow , camomile , etc. Need to mow less often or never Decorative Allows to choose species adapted to soil conditions Need less water Source : Ministère de l’agriculture, de l’alimentation et des affaires rurales de l’Ontario

Ecological control of pests: 

Ecological control of pests Chemical control of weed and insects can be dangerous Pesticides and herbicides affect the good insects and the good plants in your yard Chemical products affect human health ( children ) and pets Rain carries chemicals into aquatic ecosystems Aquatic life is affected Water quality is affected

Ecological control: 

Ecological control Against weeds: Take them out by hand Do not mow the lawn too short Maintain grass density Sow seeds where it’s not growing and where it has more difficulty After mowing, leave grass clippings Leave natural cover plants Do not interfere with the soil Tolerate some weeds Keep soil in good health (pH, aeration, organic matter, etc .) Mow before plants flower and seed (especially dandelions) Add mulch (grass clippings, wood chips…) around plants

Ecological control of pests: 

Ecological control of pests Against insect pests: Take them out by hand Plant species that keep insects at bay (garlic, chrysanthemums, mint, onions, etc .) Attract insect-eating species (amphibians, dragonflies, ladybugs, birds, etc. by planting rosemary, parsley, thyme, fennel and dill) Mix hot peppers with water and spray on infected or at-risk plants Put ginger powder at the foot of plants ( slugs) Plant native species (more resistant) Plant many species Practice intercropping Water the base of plants but not the leaves Put collars around the plants’ stem Keep lawn dry Water in-depth, ideally in the morning = Long time but not often Remove the affected plant from the garden

Theme gardens: 

Theme gardens Plant a special garden Attract a specific animal or insect Accentuate a natural element of your property Offer habitats or a food source for an animal or insect Egg, Switzerland : Rock garden

Theme garden - Butterfly garden: 

Theme garden - Butterfly garden Plant flowers that attract butterflies at the different stages of their metamorphosis Choose a good site Sunny ( at least 6 hours / day ) Water source (puddle of water, mud ) Shelter (plant trees and shrubs ) Plant orange, purple , yellow and red flowers Plant herbs ( rosemary , parsley , thyme , fennel and dill )

Theme garden – Hummingbird garden: 

Theme garden – Hummingbird garden To attract hummingbirds : Plant bright red , pink , orange and dark blue flowers Plant climbing flowers or tube flowers Fireweed , columbines , honeysuckle , impatients, beard-tongue , bergamot , bleading-heart , milkweed , lobelia, Canada lily Plant trees or shrubs for their habitats American Hophornbeam , beech , yellow birch and maple Provide freshwater

Theme garden– Bird garden: 

Theme garden – Bird garden To attract a variety of bird species : Plant trees , shrubs and plants to feed the birds (ex: fruits, nuts , flowers , seeds …) Plant hardwood ( leaf ) and softwood ( conifers ) to offer shelter for the birds Put birdbaths and birdhouses

Theme garden - bird garden: 

Theme garden - bird garden Build bird feeders Look after the feeders all year -long Put up the feeders in the fall to attract birds in the winter

Theme garden – Bee garden: 

Theme garden – Bee garden Leave piles of branches and leaves Find small pieces of wood (8 to 13 cm thick), punch holes in them and hang them in the shade in the spring Plant shrubs and flowers that flower in the spring, summer and fall Particularly yellow and blue flowers

Theme garden- Rain garden: 

Theme garden - Rain garden Rain garden Planted or stone- covered bed designed to receive stormwater Increases the soil’s ability to absorb water Place at a low point along the natural flow of water Provides habitats with plants for animals and insects Source : CMHC

Theme garden – Rain garden: 

Theme garden – Rain garden Water must infiltrate and not stand in the bed Know your soil type Know the slope Rain gardens need to be as level as possible. Avoid slopes greater than 12% Source : Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources et University of Wisconsin

Theme garden – Aquatic plant garden: 

Theme garden – Aquatic plant garden Half-fill a barrel, plastic, terra cotta or concrete container with water Plant native aquatic species in individual pots in potting soil . Cover the soil with sand or gravel to keep the water clear Place the pots in the water- filled barrel Add water each week if it doesn’t get enough rain

Theme garden – Shade garden: 

Theme garden – Shade garden Many trees and shrubs grow well in the shade The amount of shade must meet the plants’ requirements There are many native species that thrive in the shade ( dogwood , hydrangea, rhododendron …)

Reduce outdoor water consumption : 

Reduce outdoor water consumption Water plants and grass In- depth ( around 2,5 cm of water/ week ) At the base of the plant Early morning With rainwater Sprinklers with a timer Soaker hose ( with tiny holes ) Keep the soil moist Add mulch Add compost when planting Plant native ground covers Need less water and are more resistant

Reduce outdoor water consumption: 

Reduce outdoor water consumption Water-efficient garden using xeriscaping Requires little maintenance or water 7 principes à suivre 1 ) Design for your site and your needs 2) Group plants with similar water needs 3) Amend the soil 4) Size lawn area to meet your needs 5) Choose plants for climate 6) Use mulch 7) Efficient irrigation system and maintenance Group plants with same environmental needs Plant native and perennial species . Perennials … Use less water Are more resistant to drought

Conservation of rivers and ponds: 

Conservation of rivers and ponds Conserve water inside and outside the household Plant native species Use organic or home-made fertilizers (if necessary ) Grass clippings or compost Do not use pesticides or herbicides They end up in the rivers Use soap with little or no phosphate Minimize the impacts on aquatic ecosystems Freiburg, Germany: conservation of waterways in the town

Conservation of rivers and ponds: 

Conservation of rivers and ponds Conserve the natural vegetation on the banks of private properties A wide strip of vegetation absorbs pollutants Vegetation protects the banks from erosion Conservation of waterways in neighborhoods

Decorations: 

Decorations Pathways or walls made of stone bring a natural dimension to the landscape . Clay pots and other elements can make the area more beautiful without using plastic.

Urban agriculture: 

Urban agriculture Vegetable gardens have many advantages : Increase the availability of fresh and healthy produce Reduce grenhouse gas emissions linked to food transportation Contribute to food security and self- sufficicency Allow citizens to meet and help each other Increase the community’s beauty

Urban agriculture: 

Urban agriculture Plant a garden on your property Use the soil from your property Use containers ( old pools, old tires, old bags , etc .) Use containers on rooftops or unused parking lots Have public compost bins in the neighborhood Use hydroponic techniques

Reduce waste in the community: 

Reduce waste in the community A lot of organic waste is found in our garbage Start a community composting program Put up bins available for everyone Organize days where citizens can trade their used objects Organize community yard sales Collect funds for the community garden or other community activities Freiburg, Germany: Outlet to trade -in objects and garden produce

Organize common spaces to suit the citizens’ different age groups: 

Organize common spaces to suit the citizens ’ different age groups Freiburg, Germany : common area for children (to play , discover …) Freiburg, Germany : common area for families