Exclusive Interview with Interior Designer Abhishek Chadha

In conversation with Interior Designer Abhishek Chadha on the growing popularity of Smart Homes among the millennials

The market for luxurious smart homes in India is booming as the real estate industry recovers from the pandemic, and demand has also strengthened in the last three to four months. Moreover, Non-resident Indians (NRIs) are also eager to invest in Indian luxury real estate.

“Currently, IoT-enabled smart homes are a fast-growing category that is catering to urban consumers who have easy access to the internet. Therefore, it is still a niche category that is catering to limited consumers. In the future, as there is already a lot of curiosity, but a lack of knowledge about the IoTenabled smart technologies, it would be very important to educate the general public about their use and importance”, says Abhishek Chadha, CEO and Founder, The KariGhars, Bangalore. “Thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence, the smartest homes will be able to truly learn about their owners or occupants, eventually anticipating their needs. Developments in robotics will give us machines that offer a helping hand with cleaning, cooking, and more. New sensors will keep tabs on our well-being. Central to all of this will be the data that smart homes collect, analyze and act upon, helping to turn the houses of the future from a mere collection of gadgets and accessories into truly “smart” homes”, he adds.

Why do you think the concept of smart homes is gaining rapid popularity these days? The main factors that are fuelling the growth of smart homes are technological advancement, the need for convenience and comfortable living among the working class today. Global warming, conservation of natural resources, awareness about alternate sources of energy, and upgrading technology are some factors pushing the growth of smart homes in the country. In addition to sophisticated features, smart homes have state-of-theart security systems and energyefficient mechanisms. Electrical connections, functions, and facilities in a smart home can be connected to a smartphone or a computer. In light of the growing economic uncertainties, smart homes offer value-for-money in the long term. While the initial cost of an investment may be high, enhanced comfort and security prove to be beneficial in the long run. In addition, lower energy consumption also helps justify the high investment cost. Who(consumer groups) are opting for smart homes the most? The millennial power couples with double incomes are eager to opt for smart technology in their homes. With the onset of a pandemic and increasing need to work from home, many homeowners, regardless of age, are opting for the inclusion of home automation. With Bangalore being a highly tech-savvy city, the insistence on smart technology has greatly picked up in the last five years.

What according to you are the must-have smart home products in today’s contemporary homes? I believe smart homes are not a luxury anymore, they have instead become a necessity. Following are few products which I feel are now an intrinsic part of any contemporary home:

Smart speakers and displays like Amazon Echo and Google Home Home Security Cameras Video door phones Smart locks and home security systems Smart heating and cooling Smart lighting Smart kitchen appliances Robot vacuums and mops

What role do system integrators play when it comes to designing a smart home? How important is their role? System integrators bring in their experience to integrate a smart home system. Like an architect, a smart home integrator will generally liaise with several other parties – including interior designers, M&E consultants, electricians, and homeowners – throughout a project to ensure that the smart home system they install fits in with both the needs of the family and the architect’s concept for space. Due to their ability to manage an increasingly complex area of a property’s design, the involvement of a smart home integrator in a project makes the

lives of homeowners, architects and developers significantly easier. They have a critical eye for design. System integrators thoroughly test an installation before completion, have the ear for suppliers and manufacturers, and have the manpower to install equipment that needs a specialists’ intervention.

Products of which category (lighting, security, entertainment, etc.) witness maximum demand when it comes to integrating smart home devices while doing the interiors? Why? There is a higher demand seen in the automation for lighting and entertainment sections since they allow improved technological conveniences. One can now easily alter the mood of a room with a touch of a button. Smart security is another category in demand with its advantage in 360-degree surveillance. Smart homes have a CCTV surveillance system, which can cover a wide area and record in low light. Smart switchboard automation is also high in demand as it allows easy monitoring of the power consumption of appliances and makes heating, cooling, or cooking far more energy-efficient. Motion sensors or thermal sensors are also rising in need as they can detect when there is no activity in a room and turn off the lights, aiding in limited energy consumption. Smart kitchen and cleaning equipment are now a must-have in every home with the pandemic situation not allowing frequent visits from househelps etc.

Which sector(hospitality, commercial, residential) should be inclining more towards Smart Technologies? And why? According to me, the residential sector is seeing a steep incline towards the integration of smart technologies. The pandemic & the lockdown has got everyone wellconnected to digital automation. From small introductions like Alexa to big additions of digital security, people are accepting technology in their everyday lives. A smart home is considered the epitome of luxury in today’s tech-savvy world, where home automation is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for top-tier luxury real estate. Luxurious lifestyle equipment such as electronic glass shades, mobile video security mechanisms, and voice-operated entertainment systems are almost the norm today.

In what ways do you think the concept of smart homes has contributed to the lifestyles of working professionals? Smart homes depend fundamentally on people’s everyday needs. Smart homes incorporate technologies whose intelligent software can learn and adapt to fulfil a particular user’s exact daily requirements. Smart home technology was developed keeping in mind the practical application of each variable in the living sector to augment and support the user experience. The system takes into consideration real-time data collected from the actual

behaviour of the residents over a certain period. It then implements said data into better space utilization, sanitization, cleaning, security, and other functions. It also aims to resolve the issues identified via the daily activities in different scenarios such as health problems and other issues based on aeration or hygiene etc. Customized smart home services have been developed for individual residents based firmly on technical and design solutions to space and other requirements. Smart building technologies entail the usage of Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as sensors, online connectivity, and various software to govern a building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) system and so much more. This changes the entire ballgame of living for good. Previously, air conditioning, lights, and music systems of our houses had been seen to be operated via electronic tablets, but this takes it a step further, integrating technology with the construction itself.