Toronto’s west end neighbourhood of Brockton Village, is the setting for a first-in-Canada community of 20 luxury townhomes designed with the European “Active House” principles in mind.
Designed to optimize space, the homes of Lighthaus Brockton, being developed by Great Gulf, are developed with family living in mind and are wider and brighter than any townhome on the market today. The homes range between 2,200 – 3,386 square feet, are up to 20’ 6” wide and come with a two car garage and private backyard terrace. “The Lighthaus concept is new to Canada,” said Tad Putyra, president and chief operating officer of low-rise development at Great Gulf. “It is designed for a family that likes its space, and likes being close to the action. They get to enjoy their airy, private enclave, surrounded by a tight-knit community, and all just steps away from an energetic street life of a vibrant Queen Street West location. With Lighthaus Brockton you don’t have to choose between luxury and living responsibly. You can have both.”
The townhomes are oriented to maximize natural light, aided by sophisticated window and skylight technologies. An innovative VELUX Modular Skylight, designed by VELUX and Foster & Partners, opens a three-story light well that directs a column of natural light through the centre of the urban home. The skylight at the top of the well is automated to ensure air flow that either cools or warms the home to maximize comfort and minimize energy usage. “North Americans spend more than 90 per cent of our time indoors and so it is important that we maximize the amount of natural daylight in our homes,” said Nels Moxness, president of VELUX Canada Inc.
The homes are situated on the site so large areas of glass on the south facade provide additional light. Using digital lighting technology, VELUX designers determine the blend of reflective and diffusive materials that will then disperse the light throughout each floor to levels that are optimal for well-being.
Each home in the private Brockton Village community is custom-designed by an integrated team of experts, including interior designers Cecconi Simone, STAMP Architecture, landscape architect Janet Rosenberg & Studio, and Great Gulf’s engineering and construction teams. Each features its own green space as well as a private community green space.
Being eco-friendly is another critical element of the Lighthaus design. Each is highly energy efficient, with balconies, awnings and skylights to minimize heating and cooling throughout the year. Designed to meet Energy Star standards, with advanced mechanical systems, Low-E argon gas filled glazing on windows and skylights, insulation on interior and exterior foundation walls, and an air barrier system enclosing the entire envelope of the building.