CCHT InfoCentre

The CCHT InfoCentre

At the CCHT InfoCentre, two of the three units of this townhouse were combined to provide offices, meeting space and display rooms. The third unit offers an eye-opening demonstration of a remarkable Canadian housing concept, designed to adapt to people's changing needs.

CMHC's FlexHousing™

CMHC's FlexHousing™ is a practical approach to designing and building housing that allows residents to convert space to meet their changing needs. Based on the principles of adaptability, accessibility, affordability and Healthy Housing™, FlexHousing™ brings together the best of everything we know about building houses.

FlexHouse™ Design by architect Nicholas Varias

The CCHT InfoCentre features the award winning FlexHouse™ design by architect Nicholas Varias of London, Ontario. Nicholas Varias was one of four winners in CMHC's 1996 competition that sponsored a design contest to promote FlexHousing™.

Some of this home's adaptable features include:

• Entry Foyer, permits split occupancy, and access to home office.
• Convertible front room - easy to insert a dividing wall.
• Conversion of shower & bath into laundry.
• Roughed in attic for future use.
• Moveable wall on the second floor (wireless wall).


Wood-frame construction mock-up

• Washer dryer rough-in on second floor in hallway.
• Second floor living room space maybe used as second kitchen.
• Central vacuum and second central vacuum run as wiring chase.
• Attic is usable space because of the open truss design compared to the trusses in the adjoining attic.
• Stacked closets for future vertical lift.
• Door and hallway width's provide maneuvering space.
• No trip no step threshold at entry.

For more information on FlexHousing™ please visit CMHC Flexhousing™ website.

For a Virtual Tour of the CCHT FlexHouse™ click here. [3,711 kb]

Technology Showcase

The CCHT InfoCentre includes a Technology Showcase located in the main floor display room. This Showcase features CCHT-tested technology including the ECM motor, the GFX heat recovery system and the Whispergen Stirling Engine. It also includes a series of wood-frame construction mock-ups intended to convey the Canadian Construction System to national and international audiences.