Assistive Technology, Universal Design, September 23 2019
MALAYSIA: Future projects by Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld) will be based on Universal Design principles which aim to create holistic and sustainable living environments for residents of all ages.
SELANGOR – 18 JULY,2019.
Ho Kwee Hong divisional general manager Eco World Development Group Berhad (left) and Dato Chang Khim Wah president & ceo Eco World Development Group Berhad.
Universal Design is a design approach towards creating a built environment that can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability.
A memorandum of understanding was inked between the developer and Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH) of Taiwan earlier in February this year which will enable EcoWorld to leverage KMUH’s expertise in healthcare and wellness services as well as in creating properties that are all-ages-friendly.
“We are very lucky to work together with KMUH, which is an established and reputable wellness, care and medical service provider in Taiwan. They are teaching our team to understand the needs of looking after children and the elderly,” said EcoWorld president and CEO Datuk Chang Khim Wah.
“We also learnt some tips from KMUH about Universal Design which will be adopted in the design of our future projects in order to really improve the quality of living and create a holistic living environment in our developments.
“These design elements include ramps, slopes at entrances and bathrooms that allow wheelchairs to be manoeuvred easily,” Chang told reporters at a recent media tour held at Eco Sanctuary near Kota Kemuning, Selangor.
This is in line with EcoWorld’s goal to create a truly holistic and sustainable community across all its developments.
To achieve that, the developer had earlier this year included the element of holistic living into the DNA of EcoWorld developments, noted Chang.
“Together with great infrastructure; innovative lifestyle amenities for all age groups; and sustainable township design concepts, this new element will bring in health and wellness components as well as digital technology that will connect the residents to amenities in the respective townships.
“The pioneering projects of Life Space and Care Hub at Eco Ardence and Eco Sanctuary, respectively have been very successful. So, Life Space and Care Hub will be part of EcoWorld’s project DNA going forward, where most of our high-rise residential developments will have a Care Hub and every township will have a Life Space,” he elaborated.
Care hub offers 24/7 nurse-on-call service, monthly doctor consultation and other healthcare and medical services upon residents’ request. Life Space, on the other hand, is a space where the community can participate in a series of activities that are open to all ages such as cooking, baking, painting and dancing classes.
Meanwhile, to enable the residents in its townships to enjoy a seamless and convenient lifestyle, the developer is continuously upgrading its app, which allows a resident to be connected to the amenities in their respective townships.
“The app now allows one to communicate with their security personnel, apply for access permission for their guests and to book facilities. Later on, we want it to be connected to the amenities in the township, such as schools, transport system, restaurants and healthcare centres,” he said.
“Digital technology makes a lot of difference. So the next step for EcoWorld is to create integrated health and wellness communities which are connected digitally,” he offered.
The Universal Design elements will be added to the developer’s upcoming projects, including phase two of Artezza by The Parque.
Targeted to be launched by end-September or October, it is a unique four-storey module development that features two premium duplexes on the first two levels and two penthouse units on the third and fourth floors, said divisional general manager Ho Kwee Hong.
Located on a 10-acre site, there will be 41 modules offering 164 units targeted for completion in 2022. The duplexes come in built-ups of 2,492 sq ft or 2,759 sq ft and are priced from RM1.5 million. The penthouses atop the duplexes will feature built-ups of more than 3,000 sq ft with prices from RM1.7 million.
“There are also plans to launch a small scale landed housing project in November,” she added.
This story first appeared in the EdgeProp.my pullout on Sept 20, 2019. You can access back issues here.
