SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - Today, smart-home features are commonplace in new private residential developments. Since the government’s Smart Nation Initiative launched five years ago, property developers have included smart-home systems in private homes to enhance overall liveability and encourage environmental sustainability.
The first executive condo (EC) to offer an integrated smart-home system is The Visionaire, completed in June 2018 by developer Qingjian Realty (South Pacific) Group. Many of the smart-home features introduced in The Visionaire have been the standard smart-home provisions in recent private residential developments.
The Visionaire clinched three awards at the EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards 2019, bringing home the Top Executive Condo Award, as well as the Innovation Excellence Award and Top Development Award for a completed residential development in the Non-Central Region.
The Visionaire is a 632-unit EC development on Sembawang Road in District 27. The development comprises 15 blocks that vary from nine to 12 storeys high, and the unit mix comprises two- to four-bedroom units of 721 sq ft to 1,582 sq ft.
The Visionaire is close to the new Canberra HDB estate and the upcoming Canberra MRT Station on the existing North-South Line. A side-gate from The Visionaire provides easy access to the new MRT station some 400m away.
The development was the first EC in Singapore to offer a smart-home system on an opt-in basis for home buyers. The developer collaborated with technology conglomerate Samsung to provide ready-made, smart-home devices.
Its hardware package includes air-conditioners, an electric oven, a digital lockset, cameras, smart lighting, motion and temperature sensors, and a smart washing machine. All the smart-home devices are remotely controlled from the HiLife mobile app by HiLife Interactive, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qingjian.
The Visionaire’s residents can use their mobile phone to unlock the door, and even control the air-conditioner before they arrive home. Through the app, homeowners can also book facilities in their condo, pay maintenance fees, and be notified of the latest community events in the area.
The developer also organises free events such as swimming and cooking classes to foster community spirit among the residents. All these events can be booked through the HiLife app and were offered for free in the first year after completion.
When the project was launched for sale in April 2016, more than 134 units were sold over the first week, according to URA caveats. At the time, the developer announced close to 70% of the 134 home buyers had opted-in for the smart-home features.
On top of the array of technology features, the developer was also mindful of providing a well-designed external environment in the form of the outdoor and landscape areas of the condo. The residential blocks were arranged to ensure that all the blocks and units enjoy privacy and views of greenery. A 50m lap pool is the central feature, while pockets of relaxation spaces with water features or greenery enhance the condo’s amenities.
From the start, the design of The Visionaire has had clear sustainability targets such as reducing the overall heat gain. This was achieved by installing grey-tinted glass to reduce heat gain, and orienting most blocks in a north-south direction. Lift lobbies are naturally ventilated and carpark areas are equipped with carbon-monoxide sensors for a healthier environment. The use of energy-efficient lights also resulted in a 75% improvement in the overall lighting budget for common areas, compared to conventional lights.
The Visionaire was given the Green Mark Gold Plus award by the Building and Construction Agency in 2018, which recognised the development’s green and sustainable built environment.
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