Architect designed conversion and extension of cottage with whole house lighting control, audio and video distribution.

• Whole House Lighting Control
• Multiroom Audio
• Multiroom Video
• Integrated Security & Door Entry
• Home Network

Introduced by the Architects, Design Innovation was commissioned to design, supply and commission a complete smart home installation into an extended and renovated cottage. From the start we worked closely with the architect, interior designer and client to design a system that integrated seamlessly into both the new and old parts of the house. Following the appointment of main contractors, Design Innovation also undertook all electrical installation providing a single point of contact for client, architect and main contractor.

A Dynalite control system was originally specified for main living rooms and master bedroom only but following discussions with the client during which we pointed out the benefits of a whole house lighting control system this was extended to all rooms. The Dynalite control system was integrated into a Comfort alarm system to provide features such as automatic illumination of escape routes if the smoke alarms are triggered and simulated occupancy. The Dynalite control system allows the client to select preset scenes in all rooms to suit the use and mood. External lighting is also controlled by Dynalite.

The Comfort alarm system also provided an interface between the door entry system and the internal phones in the house, so even if the client was enjoying the summer sunshine in the garden they could still answer the door using a DECT phone and open the gate for their visitors.

A Control4 system was installed to provide multiroom audio to all main living rooms, streaming MP3 files from a network attached storage device the clients library of digital music was transferred to the NAS and made available to all rooms. The wireless remote controls used to control the audio also control the TV's where appropriate and a video matrix switch allows AV sources (Sky, DVD) to be viewed on any TV. Similarly the door entry CCTV and Control4 on screen menus can be viewed on any TV. Track or playlist selection can therefore be selected on any TV removing the need for additional wall mounted controls. All AV and amplification equipment is contained in an understairs cupboard leaving only TV's and speakers visible in the rooms.

The Control4 system was also integrated with the Dynalite control system allowing scenes to be recalled from the remote controls and / or TV menus.

In the lounge a LCD TV based cinema system was installed with Boston Acoustic speakers and Arcam amplification, the clients own DVD player was used whilst he waited for the winner to emerge between HD DVD and Blu-ray.

The bathroom fitters installed a bathroom TV which we were able in incoroprate into the system and replace the supplied ceiling speakers with Amina Rythymbath NTX drivers that turn the bath into a loudspeaker!