The primary sponsors of the facility, NOMAD Modular Building, were represented by the Manager Director, Mr Phil Guy and also Mr. Brendan Milburn, General Manager, Operations. Donors of the electrical equipment facility, Clipsal Integrated Systems, were represented by Mr John Valli and Mr Mike Brunt. UWA was represented by A/Prof Jane Long Pro Vice Chancellor (Teaching & Learning) who opened the facility, A/Prof Carolyn Oldham, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, and A/Prof Gary Bundell, Head of the School of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering.

This facility, which is located in the Engineering Southern Carpark close to Fairway Entrance 4, will provide the initial test bed for the development of what the School of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering has called the “IDEAL” house. IDEAL stands for Intelligently Designed Engineering for Advanced Living. The IDEAL House project is a new initiative by the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering for an ongoing student-centered project that involves undergraduates, postgraduates and staff from within the School as well as other Schools based on interest.

While this initiative can be broadly divided into the two major areas of sustainability and automation, it is meant to be inclusive of all aspects where electrical, electronic, and/or computing technologies can contribute to human well-being within a habitat. There will be many facets to this type of house, including energy production, energy efficiency, automated control of appliances, leisure and entertainment, comfort and safety, as well as providing the basic needs of food, water and shelter in novel and sustainable ways.

For more information on the IDEAL House please see: http://idealhouse.ee.uwa.edu.au/