Smart HOME DESIGN
With affordable solutions in lighting, heating, security and audio-visual available at the touch of a button, home technology deserves closer investigation
Above: This lighting scheme was designed to complement natural daylight, and is controlled by Zennio KNX keypads. Available from IndigoZest, the tech can also manage your heating system
Creating a high-tech home used to be a luxury add-on in a self build. But as technology has advanced, so prices have come down, making both wired and wireless smart systems more attainable. Many households now own a Google Nest or Amazon Alexa and are familiar with using voice commands to access music and so on. They can be teamed with heating, lighting, audio-visual and security setups such as Philips Hue, Noon, Hive, Nest and Honeywell Home. Or you can opt for a fully designed and integrated system from the likes of Niko and Baulogic.
What can you automate?
All of the above systems can be centralised and controlled from one place – or even remotely via an app. Motorised windows and blinds can integrate with your heating and ventilation systems to regulate temperature, or for security.
The magic happens when it all works together: consider a ‘goodnight’ button that can turn off downstairs lights, check garage doors are shut and alarm the house. Highend systems such as Crestron and Control4 have almost unlimited programming capabilities. You can use them to check the weather, feed your fish, or water your garden.