Our client requested a media room that would provide all the comforts and convenience of the modern lifestyle. As we were the selected home automation expert for the project, the client challenged us to provide an exciting system on a real-world budget!
The main living area of the home was to become the newly extended open-plan kitchen, dining and family room area. This was to be used for daily family gatherings and entertaining.
Client’s Needs
Within this “family zone”, the client desired an intelligent lighting system, HVAC control, a 5.1 surround sound system, an LED flat panel, three audio zones (including one external) and, finally, a Crestron control solution. It was essential that the media room caters for high-definition movies, video on demand and gaming. The client also asked us to allow for future upgrades and additions, as the needs of his young family change.
Our client was himself a “techie” but wanted us to make sure that his technophobe wife would be able to use the system undaunted. We were also asked to provide the same level of home automation expertise as would be offered on a larger-scale project. Our client challenged us to provide design and engineering standards to match.
We delivered a project which demonstrates great value in engineering and design. The architecture for the system is a Crestron Control solution. This efficiently and intelligently integrates the lighting, window blinds, HVAC, multi-room audio and the 5.1 media room.
Each area of the family zone is controllable via a hand-held Crestron touch panel. At the touch of a button, the client can adjust the lighting, heating and audio.
Finally, we designed the user interface to be intuitive and simple to use. In doing so, we have made certain that everyone can enjoy the system.
Audio System
There are two audio areas within the Family Zone and a further one outside. In the summer months, the zone will additionally extend to incorporate the garden. We used in-ceiling Definitive Technology loudspeakers indoors and their all-weather variant outdoors. An iPod dock and two radio tuners provide the audio sources, as well as the usual complement of streamed sources.
The client’s preference for high-definition movies and gaming has been addressed via the PlayStation 3 and video on demand is covered with the Apple TV. We also used a flat panel Sharp 1080p LED TV as the display.
Lighting
There are eight circuits of lighting within the Family Zone, all controlled via the Crestron system. The lighting loads include LED, incandescent and fluorescent. We also completed the electrical lighting design, ensuring that the installation correctly complies with regulations.
The client preferred a contemporary minimal aesthetic for his family zone, and it was necessary for the system hardware to be located elsewhere. We installed the equipment rack discretely within the basement of the property. But we also made provision for the system to expand to other zones, if needed, over the course of time.
In a multi-function area such as this, it was essential that we addressed certain design considerations such as the acoustics of a “bright” room.
Using recognised industry design principles, we addressed these design compromises in an intelligent way and have produced a system that both looks and sounds great! Using advanced acoustic calibration (using Audyssey EQ) and advanced display calibration (to meet the requirements of ISF); the media room package has been enhanced to give additional value and performance.
Installation by Home Automation Expert
This project is an outstanding example of great value engineering from an award-winning home automation expert. Naturally, we selected all products to deliver excellent integrated performance. Perhaps more importantly, it is the way that each sub-system has been made accessible to all family members in such an integrated and cohesive way that is remarkable. This is proof that Imagine This truly is a home automation expert who is firmly in “the zone”!
In Conclusion
The client has said, “We love the work you have done for us”. He was pleased with our service, as we were able to lead the process from a technical perspective; this ensured that we had credibility with his architectural designer and other engineers. He commented that he felt relieved of the technical burden of the family zone; he simply has to enjoy it!
Further Reading
For further reading, here is another smart home project at the Shard and here is a Starlink project we completed in a Kentish rural home. For something different, how about an article on the creation of Home Studios.
We make certain that the products we use in our projects are of the very highest quality – our clients demand the best and we make sure that we deliver. There is more information about the products we select in a series of articles: Lutron, Lutron Shades, Crestron and Steinway Lyngdorf.
If you would like to engage us as your home automation expert, please do get in touch.