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Tridel’s NEXT Living EcoSuite boasts cutting-edge home automation
October 4, 2011 - Condominium developer Tridel, together with technology companies Cisco and Control4, says it has developed one of North America’s most innovative new condo suites. Known as the “NEXT Living EcoSuite”, this penthouse suite is located in Toronto’s King West neighbourhood, at Tridel’s Rêve Condominium development.
October 7, 2011 By Anthony Capkun
Positioned as the “future of green condo living”, the EcoSuite is a penthouse unit that combines environmentally preferable features and finishes with cutting-edge technologies. Delegates to the 2011 GreenBuild Conference & Expo and accredited media (including Energy Management Canada’s Alyssa Dalton) enjoyed an exclusive opportunity to tour the EcoSuite.
“While the energy management innovations and green design features in the EcoSuite are intended to benefit future suite owners, we wanted to give the GreenBuild delegates a chance to see our green perspective of North America’s most dynamic condominium market,” said Jamie James, Tridel’s sustainability advisor and founder of TowerLabs@Mars.
The EcoSuite offers numerous technological advancements created by Cisco and its Smart+Connected Communities’ partner, Control4.
“Cisco and Control 4 are collaborating on the Smart+Connected Communities initiative and are proud to provide the infrastructure and solutions that enable this transformation and to partner with Tridel on this innovative journey as we build the blueprint of the future,” said Rick Huijbregts, VP of Smart+Connected Communities, Cisco Canada.
Among its features, the EcoSuite employs Cisco Smart Home products powered by Control4; Cisco’s Smart Connected Home Controller; Smart Home remote and in-wall touchscreen.
The suite also offers Control4 lighting solutions (including keypads and dimmers), as well as audio and video lifestyle products such as the Control4 iPod Dock. It runs on the Control4 OS 2.1 platform which provides for the integration of all third-party devices, enabling the creation of various specialized, feature-rich applications for control, security, entertainment and more—all through a single user interface.
Cisco installed a network infrastructure to enable secure, professional-grade connectivity to the internet while supporting advanced security management capabilities and business-class data, voice, security and wireless throughout the suite.
“The advanced energy and comfort management systems supplied by Cisco and Control4 ensure that the intelligence of the home doesn’t go out with the homeowner,” said James. “Now the owner has the ability to control their environment remotely, opening up new possibilities when it comes to participating in demand-side power management initiatives.”
As part of a TowerLabs demonstrations project, Tridel has installed PowerPanel solar collectors—a renewable energy technology that provides solar heated hot water and photovoltaic power directly to the suite. Other features include an advanced energy recovery ventilation system and spray foam insulation to reduce energy loss through the walls.
For a complete list of technologies and green features of the NEXT Living EcoSuite at Rêve, please visit www.tridel.com/reve.
PHOTO: The NEXT Living EcoSuite within Tridel’s Rêve Condominium. Photo courtesy Tom Malone from McRann & Malone Studios.
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