HOW HAS HOME TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS?

The focus on providing services in residential construction has been increasing for many years. Central heating, once considered a luxury, is now a standard feature in almost all new homes, explains CEDIA member, Jools Browning from BrownHen Solutions.

The increasing reliance on a good connection to the internet (e.g. for streaming music, watching on-demand TV or working from home) and the increasing numbers of ‘smart’ gadgets that are catching the eye of homeowners means that integrating some level of home technology is increasingly considered for new builds and renovations. Ideally, the infrastructure that supports home technology integration should be included in the same way that other services, such as electrics and plumbing are.

A combination of more financially accessible solutions and an increase in awareness is helping to change the perception that it is only for the rich and famous. One example is in the area of intelligent lighting where ‘smart’ bulbs available from Amazon has brought awareness, and industry leaders such as Lutron have introduced an affordable professional solution with their RA2 Select product.

What are the most popular client requests, and how has this changed?

One of the most noticeable trends is the increasing take-up of intelligent shading, e.g. roller blinds, roman blinds, curtains, etc. Every homeowner needs some sort of shading for their windows/doors. The benefits are numerous, such as saving energy by keeping rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter, improving security by simulating occupancy, and helping safety by not needing window blind cords (which can be a strangle risk to babies and small children). These benefits, along with the wide selection of options available and competitive price points, make a compelling case for many people.

Voice-controlled smart speakers such as Amazon Echo and Google Home are also enjoying huge growth and are likely to play an increasing role in controlling the technology in our homes, albeit in conjunction with other more traditional user interfaces such as touchscreens, keypads, and even the humble handheld remote control.

To fulfil this request, what products/systems would you recommend people prioritise on a budget?

It is quite possible to install key elements that many homeowners would like in a modest-sized home for around the £25,000 mark. For example, reliable high-performing Wi-Fi, multiroom audio in a few key rooms, heating integration, simplifying control of their home technology, and achieving all of this with a future-ready cable infrastructure and an aesthetically pleasing manner may be possible with this budget. Like in many consumer sectors, as the budget increases, it certainly allows greater scope (more rooms and/ or capability), as well as more advanced and higher quality solutions.

With the right design and approach, a homeowner can stage their implementation as their budget allows or as their appetite grows for greater technology integration.

What are your top tips for room layout and integrating technology with interior design?

Interior design and technology should not be kept separate and need to be considered together at the earliest possible stage in the project. This really means engaging a CEDIA-certified home technology integrator well before the build starts, as customer home technology choices can influence even the most basic build and design aspects. A good home technology integrator can massively contribute to achieving that perfect interior. For example, by effectively controlling natural and artificial light, by hiding technology – whether that be the TV, speakers, the heating controls, etc. – to make the most of the interior design. The worst possible scenario is for a room to have the perfect interior design ruined by the late addition of technology, including any associated unsightly cables.

In the same way that a homeowner would review paint or fabric samples, it is important to review various options for user controls with them to ensure that it will meet both their aesthetic and functional needs. There are many options to choose from, and it is a critical element to allow the homeowner to maximise their enjoyment from their home technology.

Who can designers turn to for home technology advice?

It is important to get specialist advice, so the most valuable step to take would be to contact a CEDIAcertified integrator to help advise on your project. A key aspect of their advice will be to install the right cable infrastructure, as installation of future cables can cost much more and cause unwelcome disruption to the home. Getting this right, on the other hand, provides the homeowner with the flexibility to help meet both current and future needs, supporting changes to the way they use technology as well as the technology itself.

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