The new Smart Living Apartments in Woodville West, South Australia are part of a new development called ‘The Square’ – multi-storey dwellings created by Renewal SA that are secure and compact for people who want an alternative to the traditional suburban home. Originally a housing estate built in the 1940s, Stage 1 comprises of 69 dwellings.

Eight of the apartments have been designed and built specifically for people with disabilities. Packed with cutting edge technology, the apartments represent an impressive statement of how advancements in integrated technologies can make a profound difference in assisting people to live an independent lifestyle.

“Disability services are moving in the direction of smart living, fostering inclusion,” Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) manager of community transition and disability services Steve Alexander says.

Steve was the driving force behind the project and it was his vision to support people with a disability to live in an apartment block using assistive technology.

“We are working together to provide dwellings that offer a good life and we hope this heralds future initiatives.”

South Australian Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Tony Piccolo MP, describes the project as a real community effort between the Government of South Australia, and all the technology partners involved, including Jackson Care Technologies and Clipsal by Schneider Electric.

“We’re using cutting edge technology to provide more independent living. It’s great technology, using mobile phones and web tablets to create concierge connectivity that raises alarms such as spikes in temperatures and notification of people arriving and leaving. It’s the way of the future and giving independence.”

Providing the level of technology required was no easy feat and required the collaboration of many parties across a time period of more than two years to achieve.

Flinders University was engaged to define the technology specifications and workflows in conjunction with end users and called upon the expertise of Clipsal by Schneider Electric and Bob Cross Electrical, who did the C-Bus fit-out, which included touch screens, movement sensors and C-Bus Avanti switches. These feature large oversized mechanisms for soft and easy operation.

C-Bus approved installer DVise Solutions was brought in to the project to undertake the programming of the system.

Immediate impressions during the apartment tour were that you could be forgiven for thinking you had arrived at any contemporary apartment building. Filled with natural light, the single bedroom apartments are spacious, comfortable and modern.

Doorways are wider then conventional apartments while kitchen appliances are set low for wheelchair access. Bathroom and bedroom areas are tasteful yet specifically designed to facilitate quick and easy access. But what is really outstanding is the level of integrated technology that allows the tenants to live on their own, arrive, leave and welcome guests at will, yet with immediate onsite support whenever needed. The technologies included a new IP emergency call system from Jackson Care Technologies, environmental controls and communications devices all integrated onto one system.

Keys are not necessary to enter the Smart Living apartments. Tenants enter the building and their own apartments via remote access, either on their remote controls or web tablet. The doors not only unlock, but open fully to allow the tenant in their wheelchair to pass through.

“Once inside, tenants using the same controls can operate lighting, turn on air conditioning and even operate the TV,” DVise Solutions integrator Josh Ling says.

This is made possible with the addition of the popular C-Bus Wiser Home Control, a gateway to the home’s entire network. From simple control of a few devices, to complete home automation, Wiser offers a whole new level of convenience and functionality.

Scenes have also been programmed into the C-Bus system: a Welcome scene operates lighting and air-conditioning, while Goodbye ensures all lighting, air-conditioning and appliances are turned off and also arms the security system.

The C-Bus system integrates into the overarching web based communication system developed by Jackson Care Technologies. This includes enhanced intercom features allowing tenants expecting any guests to speak with their visitors prior to allowing them access into the building beyond the entrance and into the apartment itself.

The technology reaches an entirely new level through access to the concierge service. The concierge service connects each apartment, allowing additional support and coordination 24/7 at the touch of a button or tablet icon. The concierge, located in the apartment complex, can control the system externally and can be contacted by the tenants through the system.

Jackson Care Technologies delivered a comprehensive monitoring and communications service. This includes IP assist call buttons and IP talkback points enabling the concierge to speak with tenants and respond to their requests. Temperature sensors are located in the apartments and any dramatic rise or fall in temperature alerts the concierge and triggers an escalation of the call if not responded to.

“It was a big challenge to create this vision but we’ve met the brief and the tenants are very happy with the solution we have provided,” Josh says.

During the official opening, Disability SA presented Clipsal by Schneider Electric national solutions designer Peter Laggozino, DVise Solutions systems integrator Andrew Fragnito, Eddie Jackson from Jackson Care Technologies and the Flinders University Medical Device Partnering Program each with a certificate of recognition for their contribution to the project’s successful outcome.

With such sophisticated levels of integration and technology, it would be easy to believe that the technology would be complex and difficult to use. However, the collaboration between the technology partners, the Medical Device Partnering Program, Flinders University and the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion has created an outstanding example of how integration can unite and simplify the operation. The interface the tenants use is very clear and well presented.

“A child could use this,” apartment tenant Barry says.

“But what I like most is the independence and security it gives me. I can do things now that I’ve never done before.”