Image Credit : a+ design group
Project Overview
Essentia is a Smart Townhome development in the heart of Norwest – a future Smart City. A+ Design Group have worked closely with Mulpha, the developer, which have drawn upon their extensive planning and luxury resort experience to create a community for tomorrow, a blueprint for future aspirational living. That is why you will see Essentia employing innovative products and concepts from its resort-style Wellness Centre to the multigenerational living and integrated smart technology within the homes. Immersed in nature, they are homes that live, breathe and function – designed to adapt to the changing needs of the people who live in them.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Tony Leung, Mike Watson, Karen Chow, Justine Aubry, Arturo Castro Alvial, Rohit Lunawat, Eric Ly, Silvia Xing, Cameron Ng
Project Brief
Essentia Townhomes are one of, if not the most innovative townhomes in Australia, or as we call them, Smart Homes.
The development is not only architecturally designed with beautiful finishes, but also has innovations as standard which no other off the plan developer offers.
Sonnen batteries which enable Solar Power to be stored and used later (decreasing power bills); a live data power monitor lets you see how much power you are using for informed, smart living choices; plus home automation as standard, which includes A 10-inch wall touchscreen in the living area that offers a single integrated point of home automation control.
All these features contribute to a unique offering to Mulpha's customers and brand; which was broken down into four pillars; The Essence of Living, The Essence of tomorrow, The Essence of Community, and the Essence of Wellbeing.
Project Innovation/Need
Essentia development is not only architecturally designed with beautiful finishes, but also has innovations as standard which no other off the plan developer offers. A world-class integrated system delivering the below:
POWER MANAGEMENT
- For energy-efficient living, a live data power monitor lets you see how much power you are using for informed, smart living choices.
- Sonnen batteries which enable Solar Power to be stored and used later date (decreasing power bills)
- Fixed price solar power
LIGHT SWITCHES
Sleek glass keypads give you programmable light and scene controls for every mood setting.
SECURITY SYSTEM
Your state-of-the-art security system includes four motion detectors, screamer, siren, and single keypad.
INTERCOM
The remote access colour intercom lets you monitor inside and outside the home and answer from your touchscreen or mobile device.
ENSUITE SENSOR LIGHT BAR
No more fumbling for the ensuite switch at night with a sensor light’s instant illumination.
TOUCHSCREEN
A 10-inch wall touchscreen in the living area offers a single integrated point of home automation control.
SPEAKERS
A Sonos speaker, ceiling mounted in the kitchen, paired with Amazon Alexa or Google Home offers hands-free voice control of your music and more.
RAINWATER RECYCLING
Recycled rainwater to water the backyards.
SOLAR & BATTERY
With over 5kW of solar and a 9kW battery, the homes are mostly self-sufficient. Couple this hardware with the smarts of SonnenFlat, the residents are charged a flat annual fee of $360 for their power.
Design Challenge
Essentia is part of a community of the larger 74 luxury townhome master-planned community on the site. The concept of Essentia is about re-imagining the essence of life. Drawing inspiration from Strangers Creek, a waterway that cuts through the site, the design intent is to capture the simple elements of life – the breath of wind, the cross flowing air, the sense of shelter, the diversity of textures, forms and material palette, as well as the playful articulation of shadow and light. The design also draws energy from the sun in the same way trees collect energy from their leaves.
As part of the overall masterplan, Essentia stage 1 gives birth to a central meeting place surrounded by terraces that bring the community together - a clubhouse that is reminiscent of the riparian corridor providing a meeting place for all life forms. The clubhouse features a pool, gym, library, and yoga retreat that is filled with light, with an outdoor BBQ area surrounded by lush landscaping.
The architecture of Essentia is about diversity with human scale in mind. The design of the townhomes is significantly varied in its built form, texture, material, and colour, reading them as a series of single houses with its own identity. The facades are articulated with a sense of depth and relief, with a material palette of natural colour tones which complements the natural surrounds and sits comfortably within its environment.
Sustainability
The solar and battery system, smart energy monitoring, state-of-the-art home automation, extensive double glazing and louvres to reduce need for air-conditioning, LED fixtures and rainwater tank storage with recycled water, are just a few of the smart home features integrated into Essentia townhomes.
It is believed to be the first large-scale residential development to move fully to solar and battery storage solutions for all residents, a key milestone for renewable energy solutions.
Architecture - Residential - Constructed
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow.
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