NO.5 office building

Commercial Office

Location:

Douglas, Isle of Man

Intelligent Building Solutions Used:

Key products:

System Integrator: TATE CONTROLS

Architect & Interior Design: JAMES BROOKMAN DESIGN

Professional Photography: Liam Gilman Photography

Project summary:

For this 22,000 sq. ft commercial office refurbishment project on the Isle of Man, the client wanted to create a hub-like environment with a premium central London feel. The aim was to create a space that was worthy of being a ‘destination’ for employment that would attract not only local talent, but also entice people from mainland UK.

Coming out of the Coronavirus pandemic, where people have become used to working from home, it was important to create an office environment where people wanted to spend their time.

Having grown from a team of 5 to 250 in 10 years, looking after their staff was a priority. Equally important was creating an environment that was operationally efficient, flexible, and futureproof to keep up with the business’s trajectory.

Having had previous experience of KNX in a residential setting, the building owners knew that KNX could give them the level of building control they wanted and support the demands that would be placed on an office building of this calibre.

With varying degrees of occupancy over 4 floors creating the optimum working environment was a priority. This meant having the ability to manage air quality and comfort automatically and reduce energy inefficiencies that are common in large open plan office spaces when occupants are manually in control of heating and cooling.

The Solution

Building Control – As the client was familiar with the capability of the Gira Homeserver, this was going to be instrumental in providing the intricate level of control that 11 office spaces over 7 floors was going to require. Strategically placed iPads on each floor that connect to the Homeserver give occupants a simple user interface to interact with specific control functions, whilst the Homeserver remains the ‘brain’ that has overall control to always ensure smooth and efficient operation.

HVAC – Commercial HVAC control has the biggest impact on energy costs, and comfort levels for the occupants. To ensure maximum comfort for the occupants whilst also using energy efficiently KNX was used to control 20 ventilation control dampers and 48 fan coil units.

Energy Monitoring and Visu – Energy usage and monitoring is handled and integrated into the KNX system by Intesis gateways and Rayleigh energy meters, and this data is then visualised by the Gira Homeserver. Having this level of visibility provides useful feedback on energy consumption but can also be helpful for troubleshooting energy spikes or abnormal activity that can then be investigated for early detection of any issues to keep the office running optimally at all times.

Lighting – DMX lighting (LED) is used throughout. The core of the building houses an atrium style staircase with a showstopping lighting installation spanning 7 floors. DMX was chosen as it offers more flexibility by allowing more luminaires to be connected and controlled using a single connection. It is also energy efficient running on low voltage, which is especially important in a project where lighting is such a prominent a feature.

The lighting control is triggered by Basalte PIRs on each floor, further contributing to the energy efficiency of the building. The atrium lighting feature is also controlled with logic and is triggered to illuminate when presence is detected on any of the office floors.

The use of presence detection is not only functional, but it also contributes to enhancing safety and security outside of typical office hours with the ability to monitor which PIRs are triggered and when.

Where localised control of lighting scenes is needed in meeting rooms or collaboration spaces, inscribed matt black Gira Push Button Sensor 4 keypads fit perfectly with the office aesthetic.

These keypads are a versatile user-friendly switch that allows occupants to easily adjust the lighting in their immediate environment with a choice of 4 scenes, highlighted by engraved labels and status LEDs to indicate the chosen scene. The integrated temperature and humidity sensor inside the keypad provides data feedback to the KNX system, helping to support the efficient running of the HVAC system.

Key Drivers for using Building Intelligence in this project:

Total 100%

Adapted home for independent living

Private Residence

Location:

Leicester, United Kingdom

Intelligent Building Solutions Used:

Key products:

System Integrator: DESIGN INNOVATION

Project summary:

This project involved designing and installing smart home automation for a disabled woman. The scope of the project included implementing various smart technologies such as smart lighting, heating and cooling systems, automated doors and windows, multiroom audio, distributed video, access control, alarm systems, CCTV, and all necessary electrical work. 

Being disabled, the homeowner faced several challenges in her daily life that required special attention during the construction of her home. The primary objective was to create a living environment that improves her quality of life by providing greater independence, comfort, and convenience through the integration of smart technologies. These included requirements to help improve:

Accessibility: Ensuring that the house design and layout are fully accessible and accommodating for specific mobility needs, such as wheelchair accessibility, ramps, wide doorways, and appropriate placement of switches and controls. 

Independence and Convenience: Providing the ability to control various aspects of her home independently, such as lighting, temperature, and audio/video systems, designed to enhance her comfort and convenience.  

Safety and Security: Implementing robust security measures, including access control systems, alarms, and CCTV, to ensure safety and peace of mind, considering her potential vulnerability due to her disability. 

Integration and Ease of Use: Ensuring that all the smart technologies installed in the home are seamlessly integrated, user-friendly, and able to control different systems using a centralized interface or accessible control mechanisms. 

Personalised Control: Providing personalised control over her living space, enabling her to adjust lighting, temperature, audio, and video according to her preferences, without relying on assistance from others. 

Long-term Sustainability: Having a sustainable and energy-efficient home design, incorporating smart systems that optimize energy usage, reduce utility costs, and contribute to environmental conservation. 

The Solution

KNX was chosen for integrating the lighting, heating, windows, and door systems as it allows for seamless control and provides flexibility and interoperability, enabling the client to independently manage these functionalities through a centralized interface or in this case the Control4 mobile app. 

Control4 was chosen as the user interface and audio/video control system for the smart home as it offers intuitive control interfaces and enables seamless integration of various audio and video sources. It allows the client to manage and control audio distribution and video playback throughout her home. 

Key Drivers for using Building Intelligence in this project:

Total 100%

essex smart home

Private Residence

Location:

Essex, United Kingdom

Intelligent Building Solutions Used:

Key products:

System Integrator: indigozest

Project summary:

The owners of this redeveloped 4-storey property in a suburb of Essex wanted a reliable home automation system that also had a wow factor for the control of their home’s unique lighting design.

In this project, the overarching control system is Control4, which enabled IndigoZest to deliver a pleasing and easy-to-use whole home automation system, accessible from in-wall and tabletop touchscreens, smartphones and tablet apps, and through elegant remote controls.

The sheer size of this project and integration between the internal and external areas required a robust, secure and reliable network that could support all home elements. The customer also worked from home, so the system was designed and built in such a way that network traffic was segregated so did not slow down their conference calls, as well as ensuring their internet demands didn’t have a negative impact on the performance of the AV system

The lighting design was a key feature of this property and given the size, it made sense to have smart lighting throughout, enabling stunning lighting scenes that truly showed off the beauty of the building, both internally and externally.

Working with designers at The Lighting Design Studio, IndigoZest produced external and internal lighting concepts, that included layers of light, with featured and accent lighting, all controlled from a KNX lighting system. Vitrum glass keypads were chosen for their function and style and they allow for multiple scene control.

Key Drivers for using Building Intelligence in this project:

Total 100%

CONTEMPORARY Family Home

Private Residence

Location:

Surrey, United Kingdom

Intelligent Building Solutions Used:

Key products:

System Integrator: indigozest

Project summary:

The owners of this stunning architecturally designed home in Surrey had a very clear vision for a contemporary home that included smart home automation while also blending into the surroundings. The smart home solutions delivered by the integrator, IndigoZest, are both sensitive to the building style and deliver a seamless living experience.

The overarching home automation platform is Control4 with KNX used to give the flexibility required for the integration of each different solution. All of the social spaces feature in-ceiling speakers, TVs, motorised blinds, lighting and heating control.

The lighting is controlled with Theben DM 8-2 T dimmer modules as well as internal and external PIRs which were programmed to provide low-level lighting when activated at night. The front-end lighting control is via a mixture of Zennio TMD 4 keypads with custom icons, and Zennio Z35 touchpanels with programmed icons for lighting scenes and individual light load control.

The blinds and curtains throughout the property are controlled with Theben JM 8 T blind modules, which are operated via the custom icons on the Zennio keypads within the room, or via the Control4 touch screens and mobile app.

The Basement Cinema was designed with the family’s needs in mind and has become a much-used space by the whole family with plenty of children’s movie parties and adult sporting events viewed from the comfort of the 6-seater cinema design or from the bar at the back which created another use for the room.

Key Drivers for using Building Intelligence in this project:

Total 100%

kingston upon thames

Private Residence

Location:

Kingston Upon Thames, United Kingdom

Intelligent Building Solutions Used:

Key products:

System Integrator: KNX Controls Ltd

Project summary:

The overwhelming requirement for automating this large residence was to make it easy to use. The homeowner wanted a reliable solution to automate many of the functions in the house, including the basement entertaining area that incorporates a bowling alley.

Lighting design, both inside and out, was a key element of this project requiring scenes to be set up for many different scenarios and spaces, such as evening entertainment scenes lighting or when people were bowling. Motion sensors were used to ensure the lights came on when there were people moving around the house and turned off again when they were not required.

Key Drivers for using Building Intelligence in this project:

Total 100%

ALBA

Residential Apartment Block

Location:

Brisbane, Australia

Intelligent Building Solutions Used:

Key products:

System Integrator: Power Integration

Project summary:

This project required a lighting control system that was integrated with the intercom and was future-proofed so that it is able to work with the air conditioning, blinds and anything else that any of the future apartment owners want to install.

The developer wanted the solution to be simple and intuitive to use as well as elegant to look at.

Power Integration chose an ABB touchscreen to manage the KNX lighting control as well as an ABB intercom system for the whole building. All of the switches are a classic style with push buttons and an Ivory Egg mesh-connect in the switch to enable them to talk to the KNX system.

The end result is an elegant looking automated lighting control system that has the intercom integrated into the touchscreen as well as being able to handle AC control, blinds and any other functions as required.

Key Drivers for using Building Intelligence in this project:

Total 100%

Hale nui

Private Residence

Location:

Northern Suburbs – Sydney, Australia

Intelligent Building Solutions Used:

Key products:

System Integrator: INCONTROL AUTOMATION

Project summary:

The Hale Nui Project is a private residence boasting some of the most advanced building technology to seamlessly control the 5 bedroom 6 bathroom home.

The KNX and Basalte system controls not only the lighting, blinds, air-conditioning, heating, toilet flushes and audio, but also directly integrates into the incoming energy supply to ensure the home never draws too much load from the grid.

To combat this, the home is fitted with a 12kW PV array attached to a complete off-grid battery backup system, which is monitored by KNX Energy meters sending out notifications to the owner and system integrator prior to switching off non-essential loads, known as load shedding.

The project was not without its challenges, this was a difficult renovation with few architectural plans, an everchanging scope of works, and was completed from 2020 to Mid-2021 when COVID was at its peak in Australia.

In Control Automation was lucky to be working on this project with a dedicated Team “Hitch Electrical” and “Immaculate Constructions” and a very understanding and easy going homeowner.

Key Drivers for using Building Intelligence in this project:

Total 100%

Minimalist Style Family Home

Private Residence

Location:

Camden, London, UK

Intelligent Building Solutions Used:

Key products:

System Integrator: Wave Controls

Project summary:

This project was the second time Wave Controls had worked on this family home.

Originally when the client moved in Lutron was installed. Due to incompatibility issues with LED fittings, Lutron was replaced with KNX. At the time, as it was not possible to alter the existing cabling, so KNX RF products were used to enable the required functionality.

When the time came to refurb the property, the brief was to create a minimalist, Scandinavian-style home, with clean lines and bright open spaces.

As the client was already familiar with Gira and enjoyed the benefits of KNX the renovation process provided the perfect opportunity to run KNX cable and upgrade the KNX RF solution to a hard-wired KNX installation, including the use of the new Gira Pushbutton Sensor 4 keypad.

The finished system needed to be intuitive, complement the interior design and use concealed technology wherever possible with a minimal amount of control locations

For the heating control, floor temperature probes were installed to protect the polished cement floor.

A Samsung Frame TV was included as a discreet, cost-effective way to conceal the TV and Sonance Invisible series speakers were installed above the TV and Dining table for premium audio throughout the expansive open-plan kitchen/living space.

Project Photography by Rachael Smith Photography

Key Drivers for using Building Intelligence in this project:

Total 100%

Sirius building

77 apartments (1-4 beds) & 4 SoHo apartments (single occupant home offices)

Location:

Sydney, Australia

Intelligent Building Solutions Used:

Key products:

System Integrator: mySmart

System Design: In Control Automation

Project summary:

Offering simplistic elegance with best of bread technology and sophistication there was no question that Sirius the Rocks had to be a Basalte KNX project.

KNX allowed for native integration of the lighting, energy management, and the whole building’s centralised HVAC system, whilst ensuring each apartment was future-proofed for the owner’s customisation and additions.

Basalte Home made it possible to amalgamate both the building’s centralised services and individual apartment services into a simplistic but comprehensive user interface for the client.

The images shown here are of the demo suite.

Key Drivers for using Building Intelligence in this project:

Total 100%

villa rosa

Location:

Arrowtown, New Zealand

type:

Residential Home

Intelligent Building Solutions Used:

Key products:

System Integrator: Open Inc.

Project summary:

The automation in this home has three distinct modes – Home, Night and Holiday modes – that automate certain daily events for the homeowner.

At home mode ensures the gates are closed at certain times of the day, the west facing blinds automatically shut at 4PM each day to protect against the glaring sun. Loggia skylights open automatically in the afternoon if the house gets above a certain temperature, and they also stay closed if it is raining. Heated towel rails are timed to come on twice a day to help dry the towels, and ensure they are used energy efficiently.

Night mode swaps the homes lighting sensors to nightlights. Day mode is then reactivated at a certain time in the morning, unless the homeowner turns it back on.

Holiday mode turns off all the lights, closes the blinds and curtains and retracts the awning, along with turning off gas fires and other controlled devices. The heating is put into frost protection mode and all schedules are postponed until the house is put back into Home mode upon their return.

Lastly, there is a 5-minute delay in closing the gate to allow the homeowners to exit the property smoothly. Remote access is available via the app on a tablet, smartphone or PC, allowing the homeowner to put the heating on or the house into the home mode in advance of their return.

Key Drivers for Building Intelligence in this project:

Total 100%