Shortly after a CPD presentation to a new architectural practice, we got a phone call asking for “a little consultancy input”.

Happily enough, we knew the M&E consultants on the project.

The clients wanted to build a brief for the technology in their new contemporary designed home with a simple set of principles…

“Keep it simple, secure and entertaining”.

One key aspect initially was the use of home automation for weekly religious observation, and automatic switching of lighting, heating and operation of other systems in the property, such as gate access.

With an amazing lighting scheme being designed by the interior design company, highlighting the signature central staircase, it made sense to look at how intelligent lighting control could be employed to help, for both automation and impact.

We investigated using Lutron lighting as a solution to enable timed lighting scenes run regularly each week and how the eventual installation of the panels could be incorporated in limited space within the property.

Building up the specification also highlighted other areas that had to be “automatic” or not involved any specific interaction on religious events.

In an elevated position from the road, there was automatic gated access.

Linked to the whole house intercom, this allows the owners to grant secure access from any floor, or any smartphone, throughout the house.

With centralised heating control by Heatmiser, the Wi-fi network and Control4 integration allowed the owners to use an app to control heating from outside and inside the home, with a tap of an icon.

Whole house “bulletproof” Wi-Fi makes sure that running a successful business from home, with frequent mobile & video conference calls everyday, has been a breeze since moving in.

The same Wi-Fi network allows access from any smartphone to cast Spotify and internet radio into the music system, with in-ceiling speakers in the main living and master suite.

The Control4 intercom monitor in the kitchen also controls music access, and a Control4 remote makes Sky TV simple for the TV built into the cabinetry.

Outside, external Bowers & Wilkins high performance weatherproof speakers cover the patio and BBQ area.

There is outdoor Wi-Fi coverage to stream music available on the decking, built into the rear landscaping, via a local streaming amplifier, fed by fibreoptic links to the main house network.

A dedicated movie room with 85in TV and surround sound, Ultra HD SkyQ and streaming movies on Apple TV in 4K are a regular event. A good way to get teenagers downstairs without too much complaining!

The obvious devices which deliver the technology are out of sight and out of mind…

Wi-fi access points hidden in joinery in the bar…

Integrated ceiling speakers, with the amplifiers centrally located…

Network switches and system controllers in the main AV hub area…

in the brightest AV rack area we have ever had – in a fuschia pink, up in the loft!

With remote power management if a component needs rebooting, the Araknis, Ubiquiti and Control4 systems send alerts to make sure relevant updates are done, as and when required.

The system’s ability to monitor incoming broadband also helped to make sure the clients got the speed and service they were expecting, important for the business and to preserve a calm atmosphere!

Easily, the most striking house on the road – with simple, smart systems and happy homeowners!