Innovating Sustainability in Real Estate
EffProp is a cornerstone project for Éphémère Creative, showcasing our commitment to innovative, sustainable solutions. EffProp is a platform dedicated to improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of properties through a unique rating system.
Project Overview
EffProp represents one of the cornerstone projects for Éphémère Creative, underscoring our long-standing commitment to innovative solutions that combine technology with sustainability. This case study outlines our journey with EffProp, a platform dedicated to improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of properties through a unique rating system.
Challenges
- Migrate EffProp from limited WordPress platform
- Move to a more robust and scalable solution
- Handle complex data processing efficiently
- Provide a seamless user experience
EffProp's Commitment to Energy-Efficient Communities
Our Approach
Platform Migration and Scalability
We migrated EffProp from a WordPress-based solution to a custom-built platform on AWS, later transitioning to North Flank to enhance scalability and cost-efficiency. This move enabled us to implement horizontal scalability, ensuring the platform could handle increased load and data synchronization from the Canadian Real Estate Association’s API effectively.
Rating System Dashboard
At the core of EffProp is a sophisticated algorithm that assigns a single value to properties based on energy efficiency and sustainability criteria. EffProp originally built the algorithm and we gave it a dashboard system for them to flexibly adjust the weights of the algorithm’s properties. This made sure the platform could process and present this complex data intuitively to users.
Machine Learning Integration
In partnership with St. Mary’s University, we integrated machine learning capabilities to predict and guide energy ratings for properties. Performing an EnerGuide assessment can be quite costly. With the addition of advanced predictive analysis, stakeholders in the real estate industry can gain a better understanding of whether it is necessary to conduct such an assessment.
Technology Stack
Our technical solution leveraged modern technologies and frameworks, including Django for the backend, RabbitMQ for message queuing, and Next.js for the frontend. This selection was driven by the need for a flexible, scalable, and efficient system that could support complex data manipulation and user interactions.
Navigating the EffProp Platform for Sustainable Property Management
Outcome and Impact
The transformation of EffProp into a cutting-edge platform for energy efficiency in real estate has been a significant achievement. Key outcomes include:
Enhanced Performance
The migration to a horizontally scalable architecture resulted in a more responsive and reliable platform, capable of handling large volumes of real estate data and user interactions.
Sustainability Impact
EffProp’s unique rating system and predictive machine learning models have made it a valuable tool for promoting energy-efficient properties, aligning with broader environmental sustainability goals.
Client Collaboration
Our close collaboration with Peter and the EffProp team highlights the importance of shared values and goals in creating technology solutions that matter. This project has been a testament to the power of partnership in achieving mutual objectives.
Measuring Impact: EffProp's Green Index for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Reflections
Working with EffProp has been a rewarding experience, blending technical innovation with environmental sustainability. This project not only showcases Éphémère Creative’s technical expertise but also our commitment to projects that contribute positively to society. As we continue to support EffProp and explore new frontiers in sustainable technology, we remain inspired by the potential of our collaborations to drive meaningful change.