News

CEDIA announces 2007 award winners (29/6/2007)

CEDIA UK Expo 2007

The winners of the 2007 CEDIA (the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) Awards were announced last night, 26 June 2007, at the annual Chairman's Reception at CEDIA Expo. Seven CEDIA Electronic Systems Professional members walk away with the prestigious title of CEDIA Award Winner following the final stage of judging in which category winners were selected from a shortlist of 23 top quality projects.

Simon Williams, CEDIA Chairman and Chair of Judges said "I am extremely excited about announcing the winners of the 2007 CEDIA Awards. I have always passionately maintained that the work of CEDIA Region 1 members represents some of the best examples of home electronic systems integration in the industry and what we have seen over the course of the judging process only serves to reinforce this. Our seven worthy winners have been awarded the recognition they deserve for setting outstanding standards that I hope will become a benchmark to others."

Essex-based, T&T walk away with a much-deserved win in the coveted Best Integrated Home over £100,000 category. A "striking feature wall" ensured that 'Project C' set itself apart from the competition with an entry which was acclaimed as being both "sophisticated" and "aesthetically well resolved" by the panel of judges.

The "neat recessed rack" of D&T's award-winning Chester Lodge entry caught the eye of the judges in the Best Integrated Home under £100,000 category whilst Beyond the Invisible's "aesthetically stunning" London Penthouse was crowned Best Home Cinema under £20,000 in recognition of the considerable challenges overcome by the London-based design and installation company.

Dawson's "minimalist but extremely indulgent" Ultimate Home Cinema, triumphed as Best Home Cinema £20,000 - £100,000, the judges noting its impressive components, specification and overall finish.

Best Multi-Dwelling went to Scotland's Hometech Integration for The Metro, after impressing the judges with a "well thought through" install which delivered against a "challenging brief" by "taking entry level properties and using technology to add real value". Meanwhile, Smartcomm's Villa Oasis was crowned Best International Project for, amongst other things, its "comprehensive integration of sub-systems, tidy finish and neat main rack", all achieved in a Cote d'Azure location, far from the company's UK Head Office.

The much-debated Best Special Project category was finally awarded to Prestige Audio for its "gutsy" customised Cadillac Escalade which was widely acknowledged as "demonstrating considerable work, passion and innovation in an incredibly tight space". The full list of CEDIA Awards 2007 winners is:

* Best Home Cinema Under £20,000 (35,000 Euros) - Beyond the Invisible, London Penthouse

* Best Home Cinema £20k - £100,000 (35,000-150,000 Euros) - Dawsons, The Ultimate Home Cinema

* Best Integrated Home Under £100,000 (150,000 Euros) - D&T, Chester Lodge

* Best Integrated Home over £100,000 (over 150,000 Euros) - T&T, Project 'C'

* Best Multi-Dwelling - Hometech Integration, The Metro

* Best International Project - Smartcomm, Villa Oasis, St Tropez, France

* Best Special Project - Prestige Audio, Cadillac Escalade

Established to recognise and reward high quality system design, installation and integration, the CEDIA Awards help to set the standard for CEDIA Electronic Systems Professional members across CEDIA Region 1.

Alongside these project winners, CEDIA awards were also presented in two Trade Supplier categories. Specialist AV equipment distributor AWE Europe topped the hotly contested 'Best Trade Supplier' category. Uniquely, the winner of this category is decided via an online vote of CEDIA ESP members hosted on the CEDIA website, who are asked to select the company who has provided the best quality products, services and support throughout the year.

Meanwhile, 'Best Stand at CEDIA Expo 2007' was adjudged on the opening day of the event by the AEO (Association of Exhibition Organisers). This award recognises company's who have, in the opinion, of the AEO made the most creative and productive use of stand space at the CEDIA Expo 2007.

www.cedia.co.uk