In partnership with JBN, a nationwide organization of construction companies, we have launched the project site "Smart@Home" to support smart home building from the consumer's perspective.

Dentsu Inc. has partnered with the General Incorporated Association JBN to launch the project site "Suma@Home" ( http://www.sma-at-home.jp ), which provides various information useful for consumers building their homes.

Suma@Home defines a "Smart Home" as a residence that "balances energy efficiency with a rich lifestyle." To achieve this, the website facilitates active information exchange among three parties—homeowners, builders, and building material/equipment manufacturers—starting from the perspective and language of consumers. By combining concepts and case studies expressed in homeowners' own words, residents can create their own "Smart Home Recipe" (a recipe for building a home). Using this recipe, homeowners can begin building their ideal home together with builders and manufacturers.

To comprehensively provide various case studies and product information related to smart homes for residents' smart home building, a project site was established primarily featuring regional builders. These builders handle 70-80% of Japan's annual custom single-family home construction starts. Specifically, this is done in partnership with JBN, whose membership includes over 2,500 builders nationwide (as of October 2013).

Moving forward, JBN will spearhead various initiatives to promote smart homes both online and offline. Dentsu Inc. will support the connections between homeowners and builders (JBN member builders), as well as between builders and manufacturers, from a marketing perspective, and will operate the project site "Suma@Home".

"Suma@Home" is currently accepting sponsorships from manufacturers involved in creating "homes that balance energy efficiency with a rich lifestyle."

 

■Key Features of the Site

1.Over 200 home-building concepts

With the cooperation of the editorial department of architecture magazine publisher Exknowledge, we develop smart home-building concepts and introduce associated builder case studies and manufacturer products/services. Content creation incorporates the "smart home" perspective, aiming to achieve "energy efficiency and enriched living."

 

2.Connecting Homeowners × Builders × Manufacturers

Smart@Home provides a neutral and impartial information platform, free from specific methodologies. It offers opportunities for participating builders, manufacturers, and homeowners to collaborate in designing and realizing homes that meet homeowners' needs—homes that achieve both energy efficiency and a rich lifestyle.

 

3.A Common Language for Homeowners and Builders: "Smart Home Recipes"

The site's main feature, "Smart Home Recipes," is a web application (free registration) that visualizes home-building ideas and helps homeowners share their vision, priorities, and considerations with family and builders.

Users can simulate their ideal home design while sharing it within the site and on social media.

 

■About JBN (Japan Builders Network)

Established in 2008 with support from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, JBN is a national organization centered around small and medium-sized regional builders. It was modeled after the U.S. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and aims to contribute to the sustainable and sound development of the industry, as well as to the improvement of local living environments and the development of wooden structures. As of October 2013, the number of full member builders exceeds 2,500.

(JBN Portal Site URL: http://www.jbn-support.jp/ )

 

■Suma@Home Site Logo

■Suma@Home Site Image

 

News Release

http://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2014/pdf/2014015-0221.pdf