(image c/o www.ecosuite.ca/)
A new trend is emerging in condo development: one of environmental awareness. Reve condos by Tridel will feature one of Toronto’s very first eco-friendly suites, fittingly named the “ecosuite”. This penthouse showcases different devices and controls, all aimed towards saving energy and living sustainably.
The technology was designed and built in partnership with two companies, CISCO and Control4. The software used is set to coincide with the homeowner’s desires. Specifically, the “Smart Home” touch screen can monitor power consumption and can control just about any light source in the suite. This allows the owner to keep track of energy patterns (and billing patterns as a result). It can also be preset to specific controls for different types of events, such as “romantic dinner” or “reading”. What’s more, it can be controlled by a mobile Smartphone if the owner is out.
The construction of the suite also used many eco-friendly materials. Floorings were made from recycled materials. In the kitchen, a lot of the materials are “low in volatile organic compounds”, meaning they are better for human health. Interestingly, the kitchen and bath tiles include a special finish that kills bacteria in the presence of light. Tridel has also installed photovoltaic solar panels that will provide energy to the units. To prevent unnecessary heat loss, the walls have been specially insulated. These are only some of the features that make up the ecosuite.
The cost involved in implementing all the extra green elements was $20,000. Although a bit pricey, that cost will hardly make a dent in the EcoSuite’s current list price of almost $1 Million. In addition, these technologies will not only help reduce utility costs, but also lessen the building’s ecological footprint, making the investment worthwhile in the end.
(image c/o urbantoronto.ca)
Sources:
http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2011/10/tridel-unveils-next-living-eco-suite-r%C3%AAve
