Intelligent homes at The Hermitage

Residential property developer Sekisui House Australia has launched its signature range of Shawood intelligent homes at its 300 ha master-planned community The Hermitage, located in Gledswood Hills in Sydney’s south-west.

Shawood is a comprehensive system, refined in Japan over 53 years, that creates 'intelligent' homes. Its structural integrity is achieved through a pre-engineered laminated timber and steel-based frame system which is produced off-site with machine precision, delivering a product of good quality and millimetre tolerances.

Pre-engineered home building means there is less waste and fewer emissions during the build. Shawood homes are designed to help conserve energy, reduce water consumption, stop draughts and retain heat in winter and cool air in summer, with an integrated wall system allowing for insulation. Furthermore, every home features LED lighting, glass which deflects external heat and low VOC paint, which is said to be safer, healthier and more environmentally friendly than most standard applications.

Computer-generated image of a Shawood home at The Hermitage.

Shawood homes also integrate the geothermal heating and cooling infrastructure GeoAir, initially introduced into The Hermitage in June. A geothermal ground loop is installed into the ground at depths of about 80 m, and the constant temperature of the Earth is used to cool or absorb the heat. The system reduces the typical effort and energy load of conventional systems required to reach a similar temperature within the home.

Sekisui House is now offering the Shawood technology, which has been customised for the local lifestyle and climate, to the Australian market. The company first introduced the system within The Coolum Residences project on the Sunshine Coast in 2012, with the construction of six beachside homes. Following its introduction at The Hermitage, Sekisui House will formally launch the Shawood brand in the New Year.