The award was presented at the Realcomm 2006 conference, the world's leading exposition on technology, business solutions, intelligent buildings, and the Internet for the commercial real estate industry.
 
According to Realcomm, the ultimate goal for digital real estate applications is not simply technology, but the creation of an environment where residents are happy, leasing rates are above market, occupancy and resident retention rates are high, and where operating expenses are lower. The accomplishment of these objectives can lead to a higher property valuation. Realcomm has defined three different ways a building can aggressively apply technology to a building in order to facilitate a more digital life style: resident experience, building automation, and property operations.
 
The Barbizon/63 building was recognized for its implementation of a “connected” IP telecommunications infrastructure; the development of a suite of resident “home automation” features and services; and the deployment of IP-based audio and video concierge services.
 
Located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Barbizon/63 (formerly the Barbizon Hotel) is a luxury high-rise condominium. Built in 1926, the building is renowned for its unique architecture and has been home to celebrities such as Grace Kelly, Liza Minelli, and Candace Bergen. Recent architectural renovations were completed by Cetra/Ruddy, an award-winning architecture and interior design firm – the firm’s work created a harmonious blend of modernism with deference to the grand historic era of the building.
 
For the new technology design, BPG Properties, Ltd. contracted with Integrated Building Controls and the Shore Group to develop an IP-based infrastructure that would integrate a variety of building management systems for the Barbizon’s 66 high-end apartment units. Today, these residences are all equipped with state-of-the-art, fully interoperable technology – including Bosch security solutions.
 
The Barbizon/63 renovation project is truly a first for New York City—rather than having several disparate systems, the partners successfully converged the security, climate controls, and other building automation systems into one IP-based network.
 
This “smart” building features a fully integrated building management system with a network that connects heating/air conditioning, lighting controls, and voice and data communication systems with security solutions such as card access controls and video surveillance. It also offers inclusive home automation services such as Internet access, Wi-Fi, audio/video intercom, and eConcierge services.
 
The building incorporates many Bosch products, including the Building Integration System (BIS), AutoDome Cameras, AMC access equipment, 7412 intrusion panels, and even the new FCP-500 Conventional Flush-Mount Smoke Detectors.    
 
“Bosch has the most proactive security products – the company has moved to IP faster than anyone else,” says Arthur Burton, Security Applications Engineer for Network-Based Security Solutions at Integrated Building Controls.  “And they’ve delivered better support than any company I’ve ever known.”
 
IP integration was the key to success for this project, because at its center is a vertical “backbone” that incorporates both copper and fiber.
 
“We’re future-proofing the building,” explains Burton. “We know that as new devices become available, they’ll integrate right into the fiber network.”
 
Each condo unit has Cisco IP telephones with touch panels that let residents control the various systems and communicate quickly and easily with building management. They also allow building managers to monitor the individual unit’s conditions.
 
“The software monitors system functions and notifies the manager via a PC or PDA that there’s an issue – for example, if there’s a problem with a heat pump, management knows about it even before the resident in most cases,” says Burton. “The information also helps when management needs to call a repair technician – they can come prepared to solve the problem, rather than to just find out what’s wrong.”