Introducing a revolutionary pre-fab technology for tomorrow’s homes
With the continually-expanding population, the ever-growing demand for houses is gradually putting a strain on Mother Nature and the environment. Finding new and more efficient ways to construct houses has never been more crucial and timely. According to conservative estimates, modern buildings typically consume some forty percent of energy as well as resources. Almost a third of global greenhouse emissions also originate from buildings alone. As such, PanaHome has created a comprehensive system of eco-friendly construction methods to minimize the overall environmental impact, yet still producing quality homes. As the housing arm of Japanese electronics giant Panasonic, PanaHome is focused on introducing new housing technologies and green building methodologies in all associated areas of its business or enterprise which encompasses residential, commercial, and construction, as well as interior design and home furnishings.
Smart homes nowadays are spruced up with rooftop solar panels, backyard fuel cells, and an integrated smart home management system that ensures the ambience and comfort of residents without sacrificing energy efficiency. State-of-the-art security systems and advanced energy management applications make homes safer, greener and more sustainable. With its grand vision for pre-fab homes, PanaHome employs three essential building technologies to complement today’s construction industry, namely W-PC, PURETECH & Living Design Package.
Industrialized Building System
There is a revolutionary home-building method which replicates the optimal home living conditions in Japan, ideally suited within a Malaysian setting. With the introduction of PanaHome’s W-PC, which is IBS certified, the real estate industry in Malaysia will witness a total transformation and experience a property boom with the adoption of a leaner and cleaner construction process. IBS, short for ‘Industrialized Building System’, is a new-age building system that utilizes pre-fabricated units or components that are easily assembled on-site. With a unique and unorthodox construction methodology, cost savings in labour, material and time are rather substantial, without compromising on product quality. Speeding up the construction process is one thing, another being the waste or by-products of construction such as dust and dirt are also significantly reduced. With the employment of conventional building systems, a typical high-rise residence would take one-and-a-half years to complete, compared to just three months with IBS.
W-PC prefab technology
Pre-fab homes are a common sight in Japan; pre-fabricated housing has existed for decades prior to the emergence of new building technologies such as IBS and W-PC. The idea behind the so-called “wall pre-cast concrete” or W-PC, is key to PanaHome’s strategy to cornering the building and construction market within this region. The W-PC method enables builders to shave off at least three months’ worth of construction time from the total duration required for conventional homes. In addition, exterior components such as floors, walls and roofs are pre-fabricated or assembled on-site at a purpose-built temporary factory situated nearby. Apart from reducing the overall building time, it also helps to maintain the standard and consistency throughout the entire construction process. This is only possible if the W-PC factory is situated on the project site itself. Construction of the property can then commence upon completion of pre-casted materials, saving builders precious time whilst reducing logistical, transportation as well as environmental costs. Construction waste is also drastically reduced. Once the property is completed, the W-PC factory is removed from the site. This method of construction vastly improves upon traditional procedures, which typically involves industrial trucks transporting tons of precast building blocks of material made at a designated factory located some distance away from the actual construction site.
PURETECH ventilation system
Indoor air generally accounts for some sixty percent of all substances inhaled by humans on a daily basis. The PURETECH ventilation system was developed as a standard feature or protocol for most houses built in Japan, following years of research and development at PanaHome Corporation. In Malaysia, air pollution attributed by haze, soot, smoke and vehicle exhaust fumes can become a serious health issue as well as social problem if not effectively addressed. PURETECH’s revolutionary indoor ventilation arbitrarily filters out most air-borne pollutants, keeping homes and household occupants safe and healthy. PURETECH in exclusive association with PanaHome aims to improve indoor air quality or standard of air purity throughout the nation. Its special Air-Tech filter also consistently removes up to 95% of all harmful and hazardous air particulates on demand without fail.
Living Design Package
The integrated ‘Living Design Package’ incorporates a Panasonic energy-efficient air-conditioning unit, a cutting-edge home security system, and a space-saving kitchen storage system. Inspired by “Kajiraku”, a Japanese concept promoting an efficient air-flow within houses, it focuses upon providing solutions through layout design, interior decor and home furnishings. It also emphasizes on efficient space utilization and making household chores hassle-free, while enhancing the overall safety, security and comfort among the inhabitants of the household.
PanaHome green buildings
PanaHome’s buildings are specifically designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, consuming less electricity than other homes of similar size and design. Better security systems as well as optimal energy management technologies can make homes safer, greener and more sustainable. Insulation materials are installed throughout the entire house, enabling a home to achieve optimal insulation. This reduces overall energy consumption as air-conditioners need not work as hard in cooling down homes. The application of new building solutions is a continuous work in progress. Construction technologies and design methodologies are also continually being upgraded and improved upon over time.
About PanaHome
Established since 1963, PanaHome Corporation is the visionary brainchild of Konosuke Matsushita, the principal founder of Panasonic Corporation, who advocates building quality houses to better people’s lives. As the housing subsidiary of the Panasonic Group, PanaHome Corp recorded total net sales of 325.6 billion yen for the year ended March 2015. To date, PanaHome has built a total of 470,000 residences in Japan during the past fifty years. It also expanded its operations overseas to include Taiwan (2010) and Malaysia (2012). In April 2015, it established PanaHome Asia Pacific Pte Ltd to strengthen its core business in the housing industry across Southeast Asia as well as other regions of interest.
The company’s ultimate goal is to generate 15 billion yen in sales from the local property market by financial year 2018 (i.e. year ending March 2019). Even with new properties being developed annually, supply of quality housing is still quite limited. On average, the Malaysian economy is growing at a modest but healthy rate of five percent per annum. It is vital to aid the development of the nation’s infrastructure to boost the real estate sector. The company plans to introduce its ground-breaking technologies to promote smart homes within the region. These efforts mainly focus upon township development, with the objective of building Japanese-quality homes that will last a lifetime. The company also enhances the value of living spaces by combining the four key elements of a house – building construction, interior furnishing and layout planning, as well as home appliances.
Smart collabs & strategic partnerships
PanaHome MKH Malaysia Sdn Bhd (“PanaHome MKH Malaysia”) is a joint-venture partnership between PanaHome Malaysia, a subsidiary of PanaHome Corporation (“PanaHome”), and MKH Berhad’s subsidiary, Kajang Resources Corporation Sdn Bhd which conducts building contract works for various residential developments and apartment-styled projects. This strategic and smart collaboration provides construction (i.e. building and framework) and Living Design Package (i.e. interior décor and layout) for MKH’s Maple @ Hillpark, Shah Alam North – a landmark housing complex consisting of 490 units of double-storey terrace houses which began construction in 2014. A total of 2,000 housing units have been scheduled to be built, with their final completion projected to be somewhere around 2018.
This also marks PanaHome’s foray into the housing industry in Malaysia. Aside from the residential enclave of Maple @ Hillpark, other completed projects under PanaHome MKH Malaysia which feature PanaHome’s trademark smart home also include Saville @ D’Lake Puchong and Temara KL. The provision of PanaHome MKH Malaysia’s construction and Living Design Package also serves as a one-stop solution for homebuyers, offering building frameworks and interior furnishings.
Another joint-venture collaboration is the Panasonic Innovative Home Partnership initiative involving PanaHome Malaysia and Tropicana Corporation Berhad. The recent unveiling of the 272-lot Cheria Residences semi-detached eco homes at its landmark township of Tropicana Aman, Kota Kemuning marks both companies’ maiden strategic partnership in Malaysia. PanaHome Malaysia, being a local housing subsidiary of Panasonic, offers high-quality Japanese technologies – from construction development to fitting homes with smart systems, as well as digital applications – staying true to its mission to build sustainable and vibrant homes.
