Cutting-Edge Products, Wellness Community in Mexico Win NAHB Global Innovation Awards

Cutting-edge, advanced products and services from Boston and Ontario, Canada, and a wellness sanctuary in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, were recently recognized as NAHB’s 2020 Global Innovation Award winners. The annual awards recognize original products and services, and, most recently, homes from around the world based on innovation, functionality, design and several other criteria based on category.

Exterior/Interior Product of the Year

The Exterior/Interior Product of the Year was awarded to Schneider Electric’s Square D Energy Center in Boston. Marketed as the "electrical panel with a digital makeover," the system makes a home’s electrical system safer, more efficient and personalized. Technology guards against fires, electrical shock and surges and can also bring solar and back-up energy sources online quickly. Using a special phone app, home owners can manage their energy usage in real-time across all devices in their home, even those that are not “smart” or connected.

Technology/Educational Service of the Year

The Technology/Educational Service of the Year winner is SWiDGET from Kingston, Ontario. Swidget’s smart-ready patented outlets and inserts are installed using existing home wiring and give additional control, functionality and real-time power monitoring via the Swidget App. The smart-home technology fits into the outlet, freeing up counter or tabletop space and allowing for furniture or other items to fit up against the wall without any protrusion from the outlet. The technology, like a video camera, speaker, voice assistant such as Alexa or Google Assistant, or emergency lights are all hidden in the outlet. Once it is installed, as technology or needs change, an insert can be swapped out without having to re-wire or re-install the outlet.

International Home of the Year

The International Home of the Year category was added this year. The award, sponsored by InSinkErator, recognizes the outstanding achievements by planners, architects, engineers, designers, builders and developers whose work addresses socioeconomic challenges, are rooted in sustainability and wellness, and will have positive implications for residential construction globally.

The winner, Wen Living San Jose in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, was developed by Awen Developers. Its 55+ Active Adults brand, Wen Living, promotes global wellness in how we live not only within the walls of a home but in the surrounding environment. The project is the first of several wellness/sustainability communities planned by Awen Developers internationally. Wen Living San Jose promotes physical, spiritual, social and emotional well-being with top-of-the-line fitness equipment; nutritional advice; meditation, arts and technology courses; working spaces; sustainable gardening; and other programs and services.