Melbourne families first to get health-boosting houses

Melbourne families will be the first in Australia, and among the first in the world, to get houses with sophisticated new technology that improves air and water quality, and even uses artificial intelligence-guided lighting to give them a better night’s sleep. To be unveiled this week by global leader in Wellness real estate Delos, the system is potentially a new line of defence against toxic smoke from factory fires or thunderstorm asthma events. To date the software has only been installed in a handful of US houses for ultra-wealthy clients, but volume home builder the Simonds Group will be the first in the world to put such a system into affordable family homes with prices as low as $150,000. “If you have the budget for one of our base model homes, you will have it,” Simonds chief executive Kelvin Ryan said. The automated home management system, dubbed Darwin, was created by Delos, who established the global WELL Certification for commercial real estate, and has benefited from extensive testing at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in the USA. Faced with an event like last week’s toxic factory fire in Footscray the system would recognise an air pollution spike within three minutes and increase ventilation to remove particles, including acetone and hydrocarbons, from the air. Occupants could also view their Darwin app to check outdoor air quality at any time. Delos Australia chief executive Bill Giannikos said the system would also respond to life’s mishaps. “It will take action if you burn a piece of toast,” MrGiannikos said. He added air filtration was particularly important with air quality inside a home potentially worse than outside.