HOMES OF THE FUTURE

Schneider Electric, the Innovative Talk webinar held on April 08, 2021 on a virtual platform by Realty+ Master Class highlighted the future of homes and its three key pillars- Safety, Connectivity and Sustainability The unique event featured some engaging c

BY Realty Plus
Published - Monday, 26 Apr, 2021

Schneider Electric, the Innovative Talk webinar held on April 08, 2021 on a virtual platform by Realty+ Master Class highlighted the future of homes and its three key pillars- Safety, Connectivity and Sustainability The unique event featured some engaging conversations and presentations on technologically enabled smart home and products and kick-started on a high note with insightful keynote address given by Bidisha Nagaraj, Vice President – Global Marketing, Greater India, Schneider Electric as she elaborated on the aim and objective of the conclave. “Our purpose is to empower all the stakeholders involved in the design and development of a built environment through relevant information and through the expert views presented by our eminent speakers, “she said. Ms Nagaraj emphasized on two key factors of development – Energy or Electrification for quality of life and Digitization for inclusive development. “At Schneider electric we believe energy and digital are both basic human rights which means that every single person in this planet needs to have access to energy, electricity and digital tools. Energy is passport to a decent life. Digital is part of inclusion. Urbanization means more people are moving from rural India to urban India thus more homes and infrastructure are required in cities. Homes are too are evolving from just being smart to becoming sustainable as well. Vikas Khanpur, Lead- Connected Living, Home & Distribution, Schneider Electric offered some informative insights on the smart products, devices and systems available as part of a complete solution for a smart, sustainable and healthy home. “We have our new smart home technology platform called "Wiser" which will link home technology and make home automation easier as homeowners will be able to take better control of homes and their carbon footprints," he stated. THE KNOWLEDGE SHARING DISCUSSIONS The session titled “Thoughtful Living: Buyers Preference for Smart, Connected & Efficient Homes” deliberated on the factors driving homebuyer’s inclination towards technology-enabled residential spaces The discussion was chaired by Deben Moza, Executive Director – Head of Project Management Services, Knight Frank India. The panellist were Abhishek Kapoor COO -Residential Business, Puravankara Limited., Anubhav Gupta, Chief Executive Officer – Vikhroli | Chief CSR & Sustainability Officer | Founder GPL Design Studio, Godrej Properties Limited, Akhil Ganatra, Managing Director, Clancy Global , Rajendra Joshi, CEO, Residential- Brigade Group , Shabbir Kanchwala, Sr. VP, Purchase Contracts & Project Co-Ordination, K Raheja Corp and Srinivas Shanbhugue, Vice President – Retail Business Schneider Electric India. The speakers pointed out the ways to incorporate electrically safe and infection safe devices and systems in smart homes, how technology solutions are improving lifestyles and simplifying housing needs as also the challenges and their mitigation in including home automation solutions in projects and the need for full value proposition in place of present fragmented solutions available in the market. The next session themed “Agile & Green Designs: Technology shaping functionality, Safety & Sustainability” focussed on intelligent homes becoming a norm with increasing affordability of automation solutions. The discussion was moderated by Jayant Vaitha, Director & Head Design Services, Colliers. The speakers were Architect Dinesh Verma, Principal Architect & Managing Director, Ace Group Architects [P] Ltd, Ar Divya Kush Immediate Past President Indian Institute of Architects & Member Central Vista Committee, Kavita Sastry – Principal Architect, KS Design Studio, Pooja Bihani, Founder and Principal Architect, Spaces & Design, Ar. Rahul Dalvi – Co-Founder, Dalvi Associates and Nandan Mahale, Head, Wiser, Home & Distribution, Schneider Electric. Panellists deliberated on the key issue in adopting latest technology solutions for safety, comfort and efficiency, retrofitting existing homes with Smart devices, safety parameters to consider including electrical protection and health precautions and how connected devices are addressing the energy efficiency needs of buildings Concluding the day of impactful panel discussions and presentations Shreekant Nadagouda, Head, Business Development & Sales, Schneider Electric presented the vote of thanks to all the eminent speakers for highlighting the importance of smart and Green home technology and reiterated the commitment of Schneider Electric towards knowledge sharing with industry stakeholders. Some of the points to be noted were, the 70% increase in the household electrical bills in the recent times, 26% surge in electricity consumption in the households during lockdown period. Almost 48% of electrical injuries occurring at home and around 30% of home owners who are renovating their homes wanting sustainable building materials and smart home technologies.