Many people have automation devices in their homes, perhaps without even knowing it, whether it be for a sensor-activated light in the humblest outhouse, a programmable thermostat for central heating, or some other down-to-earth purpose.
Notwithstanding this, OWS has gained something of a track record for automating luxury homes. Property owners with resources at their disposal have the opportunity to incorporate the leisure-enhancing potential of automation, as well as taking advantage of the purely functional dimension.
In this case, heating, lighting, security, audio-visual ... all these facilities needed to be united within the harmony of a family dwelling.
A large building of this sort, being an extensive rebuild of an existing house, presents the challenge of reconciling technological installation with the personality of a living environment. The key factor in creating a sense of homeliness will always be the people who live there, their tastes, quirks and activity, but integrators can also help to soften the edges of a substantial reconstruction through sensitive use of technology.
Once the company's electricians, who provided all the new wiring, had liaised with the owner to bring power where it was needed, it was the turn of the OWS system integrators to bring their designs to fruition.
Under-floor heating control, electrical tile warming in the bathrooms, and an air conditioning system with independent cooling and heating circuits, help to bring the build to life. Seventeen heating zones are coordinated via thermostats built into the aesthetic light switches.
Meanwhile, subtle lighting effects, programmable through wall-mounted panels, can highlight features, and enable the occupants to choose anything from a warm glow to a vibrant sharp light for different spaces within the home. Distinct "scenes" can be invoked at a wall switch. Discreet lighting can pick out a garden pathway or arboreal feature.
Intelligent movement sensors ensure a safe stairwell light level in the garage area, and that rooms are lit when occupied - an energy-saving measure as well as a convenience. Heating bills are also reduced by ensuring that programmable setpoint temperatures are appropriate for the time of day, and are adjusted when no one is around. A "welcome home" function gets everything running again, at the touch of a button.The system provides increased comfort, whilst saving an estimated forty per cent expenditure.
With the "sitting comfortably" taken care of, the next step in the project was to source, design and install audio-visual ("AV") systems - a home cinema, ceiling-mounted speakers in the room, a top-end music system capable of distributing multiple streams to different parts of the house.
Numerous AV technologies were brought together, including Pronto universal remote controls, Marantz, iPhone control, and the prestigious Linn Audio. As authorised Linn installers, OWS was able to integrate a Knekt, multi-room system, controllable by keypads mounted in each room.
The above might seem like a lot to coordinate, but many other requirements have not yet even been mentioned: a sump pump to control water levels below the basement, equipped with an alarm to indicate failure; a remotely accessible surveillance system comprising dozens of networked cameras; dimmable chandelier installation; burglar and fire alarms; automatic window blinds; microwaves and coffee machines ... . All of these features and systems, installed by OWS engineers, have their own demands and idiosyncrasies. More importantly, in a successful installation of this type, all inter-communication between these devices needs to be taken care of.
The key technology in this case is KNX. This is a system promoted by a coalition of major companies, and fast becoming a de facto standard, which defines a type of network populated by devices which are KNX-registered. Anything calling itself a KNX device needs to pass the strict demands of the standard. KNX is flexible, reliable and future-proof (allowing for addition of new devices to the system at a later date). Those implementing the KNX network also need to be suitably skilled.
The key word for this project, as so often in the field, is "integration". But, in this case, the word is also understood to embrace the personal needs, tastes and aspirations of the family commissioning the installation.
Please call on +44 (0)1727 739 739 for details of our integrated custom design services.