NATIONAL HOMES “YOU ARE THE BLUEPRINT” WORKSHOP BECOMES AN INDUSTRY INNOVATOR
If you are going to do something revolutionary, a good place to start is at the IBM Innovation Space at Venture Labs in Markham. That’s where National Homes held a ground-breaking event this year, “The Blueprint Workshop”, that has transformed the traditional focus group experience. The day delved into the homeowner experience beyond bricks and mortar, explored new technology and time-saving solutions, as well as how to make the home buying experience unique. The group explored not just what features and finishes buyers are looking for in a home, but how they feel about their homes, how they live in them and how home design and technology will improve their lives.
“Innovation has always been a staple of our corporate foundation,” says Deena Pantalone, director of marketing innovation and managing partner for National Homes. “I’ve travelled to leading international cities where this type of research is being carried out. We want to anticipate homeowner problems and provide solutions by thinking ahead. We want to provide futuristic homes that are affordable.”
Workshop participants were selected based on responses to a survey sent to registrants from National Homes’ communities, along with current homeowners. They joined creative design thinkers, National Homes staff, designers, architects, engineers and partner leaders for a THINKTANK dedicated to new homes as well as students from York University’s The Schulich School of Business Real Estate Master’s program.
Workshop participants also got a glimpse into the future of high tech home possibilities with representatives from ThoughtWire, Panasonic, Sto Canada and Interactive Abode.
“Our slogan ‘You Are the Blueprint’ means something to us as a company,” Pantalone said. “This new workshop experience will allow us to take our relationship with our purchasers to a whole new level and create a more meaningful buying and living experience for them.”
National Homes looks forward to offering some of their latest “bright ideas” at upcoming new home communities in Bradford, Markham, Brampton, Courtice and Burlington. For more information and to register to preview before the public openings, visit nationalhomes.com