AUSTRALIA, 25 MARCH 2021
Frasers Property Australia has entered into an agreement with Sydney Water the for a first-of-its-kind pilot project to understand how smart bathroom fixtures can deliver real-time usage insights and reduce water consumption in existing commercial properties, while creating healthier, safer work environments.
Sydney Water approached Frasers Property for the pilot project because of its reputation for innovation as a market leader in sustainability. The study is being conducted by Sydney Water, University of Technology Sydney’s (UTS) Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) and Caroma Industries.
The agreement sees the installation of Caroma Smart Command® intelligent bathroom products in the premium-grade circa 15,000 sqm building at Rhodes Corporate Park, in which Super Retail Group is the major tenant. It will deliver a touch-free bathroom experience for tenants while helping to save water.
It means elevated hygiene and safety standards for workers, made all the more important due to COVID-19.
The Caroma Smart Command® eco-system of smart bathroom fixtures uses sensor technology, like toilet flush panels and sensor tapware, which are activated touch-free. The water efficient system is equipped with Bluetooth technology to transmit usage data to a receiver to capture real-time insights.
It allows the monitoring and control of water use in real-time, enabling building management to make smarter decisions to improve water efficiency, reduce maintenance and cleaning time, drive down costs, and improve hygiene.
Mark Gleeson, Executive General Manager – Investment & Capital Transactions, Frasers Property Australia says the pilot project is a valuable opportunity to partner with Sydney Water to investigate smart technology which has significant broader potential.
“Providing best practice water efficiency in new buildings is expected, however this pilot project is the first of its kind as it involves retrofitting an existing building with smart bathroom fixtures. The data captured will provide insights into water usage, which can then influence maintenance requirements, and can also proactively identify issues such as leaks, which can save water,” Mr Gleeson says.
“This project is an important component of the broader, coordinated repositioning of Rhodes Corporate Park to respond to the new market for commercial space. Delivering better, safer, more seamless experiences for people will be a distinct advantage in the current climate, and this includes providing a safer, more hygienic bathroom experience to tenants.”
Mr Gleeson says Frasers Property is investigating additional touchless technologies including touchless building and lift access at Rhodes Corporate Park, as part of the strategic repositioning to attract new tenants to the estate.
Chris Gould, General Manager of Business Development, Sydney Water says: “We’re completing this pilot study to investigate the water and energy saving potential of new and emerging smart bathroom fixtures and the use of intelligent technologies in commercial and public buildings. We’ll also be exploring key issues such as data capture and analysis, user experience, feedback mechanisms, maintenance and sustainability.”
The smart bathroom technology also has the potential to improve the NABERS Water rating of existing buildings.
Pending the outcome of the pilot, Frasers Property plans to roll out the Caroma Smart Command® smart bathroom technology to other buildings at Rhodes Corporate Park. The technology is already installed in the end-of-trip facilities area of the building tenanted by Nestlé in the precinct.
Conveniently located on Homebush Bay Drive, a short walk to Rhodes train station and adjacent to Rhodes Waterside shopping centre, Rhodes Corporate Park provides over 90,000 sqm of office accommodation. For leasing opportunities at Rhodes Corporate Park, contact Frasers Property Australia on 13 38 38 or visit www.frasersproperty.com.au/commercial/nsw/rhodes-corporate-park.