CE Pro April 2024 - 53

the construction, architecture, public health, government,
academia and engineering fields.
IWBI also notes the need for more resilient home construction
during a time when natural disasters such as wildfires,
hurricanes and tornadoes are becoming more prevalent
with more destructive results.
According to IWBI, the methods outlined within the new
WELL residential program offers more than 100 strategies to
build homes that adhere to these principle.
The goal of these new guidelines, according to an IWBI
spokesperson, is to help provide building professionals with
a set of proven values that can contribute to better living
standards on projects.
The new framework is applicable to both single family
homes and MDUs.
How a Project Can Qualify for
the WELL Residence Standard
Projects can earn the WELL Residence seal for residences
upon completion of third-party review and verification of
selected strategies. To attain a WELL Residence certification,
a home must achieve at least 40 points.
Projects also have an opportunity to earn a pre-certified
WELL Residence status upon preliminary design review, an
incremental milestone that allows participants to communicate
achievement before construction is completed.
" We are excited to work side by side with our pilot
participants, as well as hundreds of stakeholders along the
residential sector value chain, to introduce this transformational
roadmap that will help market leaders adopt healthfirst
strategies into how we design, operate and maintain our
homes, " says Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI.
Hodgdon also applauded the pilot participants for their
leadership and commitment to creating healthier living environments
for residents.
Cooking in the Kitchen,
Relaxing in the Bath -
and Growing Your Business
in Both
Integrators have likely seen anecdotal evidence, but there's
broader research that bears it out: Demand for connected
kitchens and baths is rising - rapidly. According to Grand
View Research, the segment " is expected to grow at a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6% from 2023
to 2030. "
There's opportunity there - but how does one turn it
into more business?
cepro.com
Since I serve as a liaison between Crestron and the
design-build community, I'm a regular at NKBA (National
Kitchen and Bath Association) functions. I've learned that
those specifying kitchen and bath products - from designers
to end users - have one thing in common: they " don't
know what they don't know. "
As an integrator, you know what the potential capabilities
are for kitchen and bath tech, including everything from
lighting to in-mirror TVs to automated temperature controls
for both air and water. Your strategy - especially for highend
clients - should be one that demonstrates the full
capabilities of the technology and helps them envision the
maximum potential of their living experience.
You'll find that a subtractive approach to discovery is a
much better process than an additive one. If a client needs
to pare down the list of options you've presented, you've
now shown them the gold standard they can aspire to - and
sparked their imagination. And remember: If a prospect is content
with " good, " it's harder to introduce " better " and " best. "
The Functional Kitchen:
Abundant Tech Opportunities
Discovery is incredibly important in the kitchen. Clients often
focus on telling you who the " chef " in the family might
be, but they may not realize just how critical kitchen spaces
are beyond meal prep.
Kitchens are the heart of the home - the place where
casual meals are eaten, the room that people gravitate to
when the client is entertaining. To that end, they need more
than just task lighting - tunable LEDs with circadian programs
can be incredibly impactful. Kitchens need music, too,
and often video. (It's also the space where voice control can
be especially helpful - the cook's hands are often dirty).
Kitchens and bathrooms are commonly used spaces that
integrators can enhance with a variety of technologies.
April 2024 CE Pro | 53
COURTESY OF CRESTRON
http://www.cepro.com
CE Pro April 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CE Pro April 2024
