Pruksa puts innovation at top of agenda

Pruksa puts innovation at top of agenda

SET-listed residential developer Pruksa Real Estate Plc (PS) plans to spin off its research and development (R&D) unit to be an innovation centre with an aim to develop housing products, solve defects, increase efficiency and maintain market share.

Prefabricated toilets with light walls will be available in new condos this year.

The R&D unit, established in 2008, has developed a prefabricated toilet as its first innovative product.

Prefab toilets will be installed at Pruksa's low-rise condominium project on Bangkok's Yen Akat Road that will be launched soon.

Developers are facing a major labour shortage that is becoming more serious, said Supat Ratanasoponchai, Pruksa's senior vice-president for project development.

Prefab toilets like those used in Japan depend less on labour and can be installed very quickly, but they must be lightweight for condo projects.

Pruksa has many innovative products in the pipeline that will cover megatrends including green innovation, digital lifestyles, health and ageing.

Mr Supat said the company will expand its R&D unit to become an innovation centre within the third quarter. Its annual budget will also increase from the current 10-20 million baht.

"Our R&D started from a small group activity that we developed with a business partner and a network including construction material producers, contractors, and financial and educational institutions," he said.

Pruksa will develop a single house with fewer defects such as cracking, leaking, peeling and heat damage.

It will also apply finished unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) doors and window frames at low-rise units.

Pruksa has finished developing an earthquake-resistant house with the Asian Institute of Technology. The prototype house can resist earthquakes of up to 8.5 on the Richter scale with an epicentre 80 kilometres away.

Working with Chulalongkorn University, it has designed a house for three generations comprising elderly people, working people and students. The house will have three zones for those generations to live together.

Pruksa will create a condo project for ageing people. With condo units becoming smaller to make them more affordable, it is creating a multi-function and multi-user bathroom.

It is studying a sanitary system that can be used during floods with a water pump installed on top of the tank.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT