Contemporary homes and workplaces are expected to deliver more than refined interiors and prime locations. Modern users look for comfort, security, and energy efficiency. The guest apartments and office units at Oru Maja demonstrate how an integrated smart-building system can streamline daily life and create a truly modern living environment.
According to Metro’s project manager, Koit Tuulik, the user experience at Oru Maja begins the moment you approach the building.
“All guest apartments, offices, and main entrances are equipped with a Loxone access control system with a keypad. Through the mobile app, residents can generate temporary access codes for a cleaner or short-term guest,” he explains.
Each unit is fitted with a control tablet that manages all in-suite devices, with the same functions also available via a smartphone or desktop. This allows residents to adjust heating, ventilation, and cooling while at home or remotely, monitor consumption data, and receive notifications of any system alerts.
Aleks Loonurm, Member of the Management Board at ELKORAL OÜ, representing Loxone in Estonia, notes that users can choose from various preconfigured modes such as Home, Away, or Guest. A dedicated Vacation Mode further reduces energy consumption when the unit is unoccupied.
Ventilation operates automatically based on real-time indoor conditions. “If CO₂ or humidity levels increase, after a shower, for instance, -the system boosts air exchange. When the room is empty, the fan speed drops to conserve heating and electricity,” Tuulik adds.
Security is embedded as well. Door sensors indicate whether the apartment door is properly closed, and the intercom system allows the opening of external and garage doors via phone.
During colder seasons, the supply air temperature in Oru Maja is maintained at a minimum of 16°C. The system also automatically decides whether a room needs heating or cooling.
“This ensures stable indoor temperatures without constant manual adjustments,” says Tuulik.
Loonurm adds that such automation significantly reduces energy consumption—especially in buildings with multiple users and diverse room types.
Smart functionality extends beyond the apartment interior. The same system is integrated with the building’s overall electrical load and parking infrastructure.
“For EV owners, charging can be scheduled according to favourable electricity prices or set with a maximum power limit,” says Tuulik. The charger is linked to the building’s dynamic load management system—meaning charging power decreases automatically when overall consumption spikes, preventing main fuse overloads.
According to Loonurm, chargers can also be shared between users if the housing association chooses to partner with Terminal. “In that case, billing is handled through the Terminal platform and the Loxone system, ensuring that costs are allocated directly to the individuals who used the charger,” he explains.
Automation solutions that manage heating, ventilation, and electricity use are rapidly becoming a standard feature in energy-efficient buildings. They simplify everyday living while helping properties meet modern sustainability expectations.
Oru Maja illustrates that smart technology is not about gadgets—it’s about a holistic system designed to improve comfort, enhance safety, and optimise resource use.
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