Case studies

The iDOM project - a Low-Energy, Intelligent Demonstration House in Slovakia (3/5/2007)

By Media Control and Basys Czech & Slovak

In 2002 AV distributor Basys Czech & Slovak decided to start selling high-tech residential technology and home automation to the Slovakian market. Basys co-owner Mario Lelovsky and Zoran Lazik, a programmer from Crestron Slovakia, formed Media Control, a company dedicated to developing the business within the territory and offering complete solutions for the affluent.

Although the company marketed the smart home idea to end users for the next two years, frustratingly, no commissions were won. This was almost certainly due to the fact that the concept was too new, there were no other examples in the region, no support from architects, and investors had no confidence in the idea. So in 2004, Lelovsky took the bull by the horns, bought a 16-year old house, and decided to rebuild it as his own smart- or i-home. The building is now known as iDOM.

iDOM exterior

Project goals

The goals of the project were:

1) To build a functional house that could be permanently occupied and which could use renewable sources of energy. The aim was also to prove that using an integrated control system could increase significantly the quality and comfort of housing while decreasing operating costs.

awareness of energy efficiency and intelligent control systems.

high-tech projects.

4) To use this project as a successful example and reference when promoting the business to residential and commercial clients.

TV lounge with flatscreen, surround sound and integrated lighting

Construction

In order to fulfil these goals, the original building was demolished and a new one built. All of the technology and equipment was selected with automation in mind and the ability to be controlled via a centrally-integrated system.

A heating pump and solar panels were used to deliver heat as well as cooling in the summer in conjunction with centrally-controlled blinds. The ventilation system incorporates heat exchange technology and saves energy while keeping the air constantly fresh. All of the lighting, the security system, cameras, communications and even the elevator are controlled via a Crestron Pro2 central unit, and are designed to ensure maximum comfort while being energy efficient.

Solar panels on roof, above home theatre

Results

The intelligent, low-energy house has now been ready for some time and includes a demonstration room on top of the roof that is accessible directly via the elevator. This is so that the rest of the family is not disturbed - there were more than 750 visitors during first six weeks after opening!

Thanks to the latest technology and renewable energy sources, the iDOM achieves energy savings of up to 60% when compared with a traditional house equipped with gas central heating. It uses ground and solar heat and heat exchangers, and controls them via temperature sensors in every room. Floors and walls are heated and the ceiling is cooled by a heat pump. There are 21 integrated LON-controlled sun shades, 42 light zones including 28 dimmed, and an integrated watering system for the gardens.

The garden with automated irrigation system

The iDOM is constructed to be within low energy consumption limits, and loses less than 75kWh/sqm/year while maintaining comfort in high temperatures.

Lifestyle

The main living room entertainment is provided by a Bose Lifestyle 48 system with four local zones using a uMusic LS 48 hard disk source, with picture provided by a Pioneer PDP-507XD connected to Kaleidescape client.

The interior swimming pool is equipped with an AD Notam in-wall 30-inch waterproof LCD screen, a Kaleidescape client, a Bose Freespace sound system, and an underwater light show performed by six LED light sources all controlled via a waterproof Crestron WPRI 48 remote control unit.

Swimming pool with colour-changing LEDs and built-in TV

The Finnish sauna is has a Bose 151 system, as does the Steam sauna with independent sound source and volume. Light and temperature can be remotely controlled from any distance, for example, the sauna can be switched on from the office via the Internet. The 8.5m x 6m gymnasium is equipped with two Bose Acoustimass 5 systems powered by a Crestron multi-amp and fed by an iPod or two-tuner Crestron machine.

The fitness room has a Loewe Concept TV and Bose AM5IV that can be fed locally or centrally. The rooftop home theatre with custom acoustic treatment has a Kaleidescape Archive system and Cabasse Baltic 5.1 set, Pioneer VSX-AX4 receiver and full HD plasma 5000 screen mounted on a Ronald Schmitt RS-21 motorised stand - all controlled by the Crestron TPMC-4X. The room is fully sound proof and means that a party will not disturb the family.

The rooftop sound-proof home theatre

The multiroom audio system provides sound in 16 zones including two exterior zones. The video distribution delivers the picture from nine cameras and six Dream sat boxes, and five Crestron touchscreens including the TPS-12L large in-wall screen which allows whole-house control including video monitoring and screen-to-screen communication.

iPod audio is available anywhere in the house, but the children may of course play their own music independently, in their rooms.

All of the rooms and corridors are equipped with Crestron push-button in-wall control pads allowing the control of light, sound, blinds, scenes and other features. In addition, temperature control and video surveillance is accessible via the Internet for comfort and security monitoring.

Communication and Media

Thanks to a strong media campaign aimed at the public, annual press conferences, receiving the InAVation Award for Residential project category in the EMEA region in 2007, a series of articles in building, architecture and interior/exterior design magazines, a grand opening by the mayor of Bratislava, TV coverage by three stations, more than 60 articles, and a dedicated website, the iDOM is now well-known in Slovakia, and the integration business is growing. Most recently, a high-tech music video was shot in the iDOM and took full advantage of all of the i-home features and AV equipment.

Conclusion

To build iDOM was the right decision and the investment is paying off. Orders for i-home projects are flooding in, with the occasional request to 'Please, do it for me too, but completely - including building the house, installing all the technology and providing the control system.'

Equipment list

List of Crestron components:

Relays and power components
16x CH-REL8-LC
6x CH-HRIO-D9
4x CH-IN8-D5
1x CH-AO-12
1x CH-AO12-D5
8x CH-PD4x750

Touch panels
4x TPS-2000L
1x TPS-4L
1x TPS-12LB-KIT
1x TPMC-4X
1x WPRI-48

Button keypads
3x CNX-4B
20x CNX-8B
7x CNX-12B

Control equipment
1x PRO2
1x CNTBLOCK

Multiroom equipment for 16 audio zones
1x C2N-IADS30x24

Video distribution equipment
1x C2N-IVDS24x24
2x CNX-PAD8A
2x CNAMPXI-16x60
1x C2N-IIF
1x CGELON-240

AV equipment:

Pioneer
PDP-5000EX
VSX-A4AVXi
DVR-940HX
PDP-507XD
DV-696AV

Bose
Lifestyle 48
3x Freespace sets
2x 251 speakers pairs
2x 51 speakers

4x Acoustimass 5 IV sets
8x 191 speakers
3x 131 speakers
3x 151 speakers

Loewe TVs
Individual Selection 32
Mimo 20
Concept 32
Cabasse Baltic 5.1 set including Thor subwoofer

Time and cost

Start date: 2/8/2004
Completion date: 25/10/2006
Approximate project value: EUR80,000 for Crestron components, EUR100,000 for AV equipment.
Total project value: EUR2M.

Main integrators

Basys (AV supplier and installer) and Media Control (system integrator).
Consultants: Zoran Lazik, Mario Lelovsky.

www.mediacontrol.sk
www.mediacontrol.cz
www.basys.sk
www.basys.cz