We took a tour of the National Home Show Dream Home R-House, which was located at the end of the red carpet and on 2012 Stephen Dupuis Avenue.
 

 

 
The 3600 square foot energy efficient home was ultra modern and incorporated the latest home building technology and décor ideas. Not only was it beautiful, it was also sustainable and designed to bring contemporary green design to the mass market.
 

Upon arrival we were greeted by sliding glass doors. In fact we had to wait as a screen was lowered and raised before we could enter.
 

 
The Dream Home R-House design used environmentally friendly materials for both structure and interior finishing. Notice the heavy timber structure and how it contrasts with the warm interior materials like the wood panels and stone flooring. 
 
Everyone loves green living, but not everyone loves the sterile modern vibe that is sometimes associated with it, because of this the designers worked hard to create a home that was warm through the use of texture and colour.
 

 

 

 

 
The designers created a fantastic contemporary look by combining materials such as glass, concrete, wood and metal.
  

 
The Dream Home R-House was also designed to create its own energy from renewable sources. It harvests rain water, manages its own wastes and promotes the health and well being of its inhabitants through features such as the living wall.
 

 
The living wall and water feature in the courtyard also creates a self-sustaining interior ecosystem and the green roof is composed of self-sustaining vegetation, which spreads across the flat roofs. Note that the vertical walls act as an organic produce farm as well.
 

 

 
This dream home is automated as well, with a smart security system and new technologies such as mirrored TV’s and in-wall audio systems.
 

  

 
It takes more than one person to create a sustainable and beautiful Dream Home! Here’s a look at the people involved in the design and build of the R-House.
 
The “Dream Team”
Michael Upshall and his design team: architecture was done by Craig Crane and Robert Mitchell, the project coordinator was Sonia Lolic, the interior design was done by Craig Crane and Michelle Mawby, the fabulous interior décor was done by Jacqueline Glass and Associates (guest building), and they had help from James Loppie, Emmanuel Belliveau, Jackie Morra, Patti Baxter, Joan Ezsky, Terri Chabot, Ron Perruzza, Keith Vanderkley,  Bruce  Rowntree, Nancy Bowslaugh and design students from Humber College School of Applied Technology.