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The Secret Smart Home - an EIB/KNX smart home installation without technology intrusion (3/3/2008) Introduction and Brief The property is located in the Kensington and Chelsea district of London in an area that was developed during 1910-1930 during a fashion of providing the city with conservation garden areas. The beautiful building was restored for the family in 2006 and significant emphasis was placed on retaining the original features both internally and externally. The building is spread over five floors with the addition of a basement for housekeeping staff and a dedicated home cinema, network communications room and storage. The main objective was to create a living space for the growing family that would answer to their 21st century needs. The family's desire for a high tech house was to be achieved without a high-tech interface, using systems that were intuitive but not intimidating, that could be used by children and visitors alike. The brief spread from a complete family entertainment system to home automation including lighting, heating, security and data networks. And this was not restricted to the house, but with lighting, audio, and irrigation systems in the garden as well. Planning and Installation LairdKing is a custom installation team based in Cornwall. For us, the planning of the project always takes precedence. Not only is there the design and planning of the various systems but the planning of human resources and the enabling of video conferencing and access to systems remotely. From the moment of referral, we work closely with the architect to design our systems into the building by focusing on the spaces created by the architect, social spaces, family spaces, and private spaces. It is also essential that we negotiate on space for the machine room to house the racks which hold the central components of the system. The design and specification is then in collaboration with the client and remains so for many years to come, as they add new equipment and new technologies. We have a strong focus on the infrastructure of a project. We use two principal networks, an EIB/KNX network and a CAT8 multimedia network. The EIB network allows for closed systems such as the heating and security, to be controlled via the same interface using the same kind of control, providing one solution which is easy to use. The chosen RTI K4 touch screens and RTI 2TC hand-held remotes were programmed to control any system in the house; enabled by the EIB network, the FreeWay, and commitment from our sub contractors to assist in synchronising the closed systems.
The interface of the controllers was challenging because the key to this area is that anything can be changed, but changed only using the dedicated PC by the head of the family who also happens to be a die-hard technology guru. It must be three things all at the same time: impossible to break, unlimited flexibility to accommodate future modifications and equipment, and a friendly intuitive interface with the power to get at everything in the most obvious way. The CAT8 multimedia network allows for a 1.4GHz bandwidth and its independent isolation characteristic means that the TV (including high definition), telephone, LAN, and other networks, can all share the same cable and co-exist at the same time. Not only does this allow us to keep all the wall points easily hidden (up to twelve different multimedia signals can be available from just a single gang wall plate) but we can also keep options open for clients without having to tie them down to specific equipment (often it is years before they move into their new home), and to leave all options open for future technologies and equipment as it appears. A large part of this project was to ensure that technology was not intrusive on the feeling of the home and this meant detailed planning of each room with the interior design team and reaching the best method to conceal any inference of smart home components. Discreet in-ceiling Sonance speakers are used in the family areas and bathrooms for quality sound without intruding on the interior design. In other places, Artcoustic speakers have been chosen to specifically to be a part of the interior design; these speakers are a piece of art themselves.
Everywhere in the house there are items which are not what they seem. Mirrors become televisions and hidden alcoves hide the Sonance iPod ports allowing the family to access their music in a quick and convenient way. A bespoke multiroom entertainment system was designed to tie together all the possible sources from the DVD servers to streaming internal and internet multimedia files. An integral part of our design philosophy is graphic design as well as the necessary system programming and project management. Without this tight combination working 'in house' we would not be able to deliver a truly integrated solution. The result is a uniquely comfortable home that has the simplicity and convenience of a TV remote for the children but with back bone infrastructure that allows unlimited scope for flexibility and inclusion of many complex sub systems. The show piece of the whole house is the home cinema. Housed in a purpose-built basement, the cinema incorporates a 16:9 ratio clear pix screen from Screen Research. The clear pix solutions gives an acoustically-transparent screen allowing the powerful Meridian digital speakers to be hidden behind the screen. The chosen projector is the Sony Ruby boasting 15000:1 contrast, true high definition - good on the eyes, responsive, and quiet.
With a Kaleidescape system incorporated, the family can have instant access to thousands of their DVDs and CDs. Accessible on the cinema and other TVs throughout the house, the Kaleidescape system offers ultimate flexibility in categorising, parental controlling, and pausing and restarting films - the closest product to perfection as far as the family are concerned.
Experience from the project Our experience from the project has enabled us, more than any other project, to reach a level of elegance and sophistication simply because the client encouraged us to take bold steps in system design innovation. It provided us with a unique insight into the benefits to be gained by delivering a profoundly complex project and see it turn into a truly lived in family home. In the words of our client "The system adds value to our home life. As a family we gather together in a traditional way in the cinema to watch the latest movie. Everyone has access to their own entertainment, wherever and whenever they want to watch, listen, or play. It makes for a more harmonious family life and it gives us more quality time together." The key components from the project are that: the client not only had a clear idea of the lifestyle and environment they wanted, they had a clear idea as to what they wanted in terms of any technology that would keep them comfortable and entertained. Importantly, they had a clear understanding and interest in the technology and the equipment they wanted to discuss, which in turn provided an understanding of the budgets needed to make it happen. Another factor which ensured the success of the project was the efficient project management between every trade and service. All of the contractors on site had a pathological will to help each other, including the builders, designers and architects, and even the plumbers and the electricians. All said good morning to each other! It was a big team working under pressure to fast-track the project to completion within two years. A very gratifying experience for everybody and a remarkable achievement. Equipment List: Sony Ruby Projector
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