Winner of ‘Best International Project’ at the CEDIA Awards 2007.
Winner of ‘Most InAVative Residential Project – Large’ at the EMEA InAVation Awards 2008.
What are the all-important criteria of a luxury, hi-tech holiday home? Home cinema – check, Crestron control system – check, breathtaking Mediterranean views and jet set location – check, strategically placed scooter in the lounge …….. check!
With its marble decked living and dining area and its triple tiered decking area overlooking the infinity swimming pool, landscaped gardens, tennis courts and Mediterranean sea beyond, this breathtaking villa certainly boasts everything you could wish for from a place in the sun. But there is more to this property than meets the eye, for Smartcomm have seamlessly integrated a wealth of life-enriching, technological features within its interior. From the in-ceiling speakers, to the home cinema projector discreetly concealed within its hatch and the 42” plasma which masquerades as a mirror above the fireplace, this cleverly concealed, Crestron-controlled home automation scheme gives the home owners the scope to have fun with their interior space. And have fun they do, from the retro-feel moped, to the vibrant pink feather boas and the oversized, neon hand-shaped chairs in the study!
“The home owner was very specific with his requirements; he wanted his home to be modern, fun and decadent and the technological aspects had to be integrated in such a way as to enhance rather than intrude on the interior space.” Explains Steven Worrell, Smartcomm. “Innovative Crestron control technology installed throughout the property allows these hidden home automation features to be readily accessible, at the touch of a button.”
It is in the villa’s stylish main lounge that the home automation technology really comes into its own. Just one touch of the wireless Crestron TPMC 10 touchpanel controller and the room converts effortlessly into a state-of-the-art home cinema. The lights dim, the shutters close and the Sim 2 High Definition Projector and DaLite screen motorise down from their discrete ceiling hatches. A Mediamax server allows the home owner to easily access their extensive library of movies and the 5.1 surround sound system pumps out high fidelity sound through in-ceiling Speakercraft AIM8 speakers. When not in full home cinema mode, the projector and screen remain out of sight and what appears to be a mirror over the fireplace is actually a 42” Mirrormedia plasma which provides everyday TV viewing in the lounge.
A CEN-IDOC from Crestron provides an iPod interface, enabling full 2-way touchpanel control and navigation. Lounge occupiers simply plug the iPod into the docking station to replicate the iPod experience on the Crestron touchpanel, instantly sharing their entire personal music collection with speakers throughout the house. A compact ML-600 MiniLCD handheld wireless remote offers an additional control facility not only of the AV systems in the lounge but also the property’s other environmental and security functions, as part of the complete Crestron control solution which is all powered by a central AV2 Processor.
Located in the villa’s impressive main rack, Crestron’s 2-Series Control System enables every audio, video, and environmental element of the villa to be integrated and accessible. Unmatched for power, performance and scalability, the AV2 Processor boasts six in-built COM ports, eight IR/Serial ports, eight I/O Versiports, eight isolated relays. This provides the essential interface for control of the property’s numerous devices including video projectors, plasma displays, switchers, DVD players, screens and much more. A Crestron CNAMP 16 x 60 home audio distribution system provides 16 channels of world-class audio amplification for distribution to the speakers in the house. These systems work in harmony with a Crestron CNX-BIPAD8 audio distribution processor which allows any audio parameter or device function in the property to be controlled using the touchpanels and a STRFGWX gateway which enables Crestron 418 MHz 2-way wireless touchpanels to communicate with the control system via the Cresnet network.
Elsewhere in the property, a TPS-2000L in the entrance hall provides the homeowners with a world of control capability in the space of a common light switch. A Satin Nickel Designer faceplate ensures that the touchpanel coordinates perfectly with the villa’s décor. A Crestron CT-1000 3.8” Colour Touch Panel, also customised in Satin Nickel, is located in the dining room, together with another iPod docking station.
The master and four other bedrooms are all installed with their own television screens, of various sizes, from a 32” Samsung LCD to 42” Pioneer Plasmas, all controllable via Crestron CT-1000 3.8” colour touchpanels. Each bedroom also has its own iPod docking station. In the main bathroom, the water-fall effect bath boasts coloured LED lighting as well as an Aquavision television.
Outside, Lutron lighting effects illuminate the exterior of the building and the pool by night and there are no fewer than six Speakercraft outdoor speakers, all controllable with a Crestron TPS-2000L touchpanels, protected from the elements with a specially designed water resistant membrane. In addition, Crestron’s WPR-48 waterproof RF wireless ‘remote on a rope’ ensures that no one looses control when they take a dip!
The owner and his personal Project Manager, Jason Fudge, were also very impressed with Smartcomm and the quality of the installation. “Having brought Smartcomm into the project at a late stage we took a risk that they would be able to turn the project around…..we were not disappointed. Smartcomm have transformed the property and installed a state-of-the-art entertainment and house-control system which is truly impressive. The owner has been delighted with the functionality of the Crestron system, for example being able to control his water-fountain and the villa shutters was a welcome surprise.” comments Jason Fudge. Yes, this homeowner may have fun when it comes to interiors, but he takes his technology very seriously indeed!
