First UK development of smart homes is now available in Milton Keynes

Trivselhus, in a joint venture with Places for People, has announced the opening of Sommar Place in Milton Keynes: the UK's first full development of family properties that feature the Apple Home app, Siri and Apple HomeKit accessories as standard.

As the home of the World War II codebreakers, the world's first ever programmable electronic digital computer Colossus, and the planned Institute of Digital Technology, Milton Keynes has long been at the forefront of the tech revolution. It is therefore fitting that it should be the location for the first smart home housing development with Apple HomeKit accessories fitted as standard.

Sommar Place, developed by award-winning Swedish housebuilder Trivselhus in partnership with placemaking experts Places for People, was officially opened this week by His Excellency Torbjörn Sohlström, the Swedish Ambassador, and comprises 39 stylish and eco-friendly smart homes.

The homes, located in Broughton Gate, on the outskirts of Places for People‘s popular Brooklands development, combine elegant Scandinavian design, precision finishing architecture, and energy efficiency, with cutting edge smart home technology from Apple.

Inside the new homesInside the new homes
Inside the new homes

Ken Forster, managing director of Trivselhus, said: “We’re very proud to announce the opening of Sommar Place and its new development of eco-friendly smart homes in Milton Keynes, which for Trivselhus was the perfect location for the project. With excellent transport links to London and other surroundings, and 5000 acres of parks and woodland, it is the perfect modern city for a 21st century family.”

“Technology is essential in easing people’s lives, so it is important that moving forward family homes are designed with smart home technology at their fore. We’re proud that Sommar Place is leading the way in tech-enabled housing developments that are affordable, efficient and future-proof at a time when technology is developing at pace. In doing so, privacy and security of homeowners is paramount, which is why it was especially important for us to offer the highly secure, end-to-end encrypted Apple HomeKit accessories within Sommar Place, which we believe to be a first in the UK.”

Places for People is one of the largest property and leisure management, development and regeneration companies in the UK, owning or managing more than 195,000 homes nationwide. Adopting a placemaking approach, its 2,500 home Brooklands development in Milton Keynes incorporates education and community facilities, open spaces and transport links alongside housing.

“Sommar Place is a truly forward-thinking development, delivering the very best in Swedish energy-efficient design, combined with the latest in smart home technology – effectively future-proofing these homes for years to come," said David Cowans, group Chief executive at Places for People.

The interior of one of the new 'smart' homesThe interior of one of the new 'smart' homes
The interior of one of the new 'smart' homes

“Places for People has had a presence in Milton Keynes for many years as both a developer and landlord. Alongside our award winning developments at Brooklands and Wolverton Park, we’re delighted to be working with Trivselhus to introduce innovative homes that are unique not only to Milton Keynes, but to the whole of the UK.”

Speaking at the opening, Mayor of Milton Keynes Councillor David Hopkins, said: “I am delighted to be here for the launch of this new Trivselhus and Places for People development at Sommar Place. Milton Keynes is one of the most innovative cities in the UK and this is a lovely example of innovation. They are the future. They are built quicker and they are fabulous inside. This is where we want to go in Milton Keynes. We are used to technology here and it is wonderful for Milton Keynes to have these new, technology led homes”.

Each home, ranging from two-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom terraced townhouses, has Apple HomeKit accessories fitted as standard so that new residents of Sommar Place can move in and make themselves at home from day one. Fully interconnected throughout each home, the technology is completely customisable and can be tailored to a family’s individual preferences to complement and enhance day-to-day living whilst ensuring privacy and security.

Fully interconnected throughout, the technology is completely customisable and can be tailored to a family’s individual preferences to complement and enhance day-to-day living. Scenes can be applied, such as ‘coming home’, which will turn on the lights, set the heating to a desired temperature and even turn the kettle on as residents pull onto their drive. Or, at the time of waking up, the blinds can be set to open, lights to turn on, the radio to start and the en-suite towel rail warmed up – perfect for chilly mornings.