There was no choice in the use of an automation system to cope with the complexity and requirements of this home. The Clipsal Cbus system was used throughout the home. The stylish Saturn switch was used with a number of DLT’s throughout.
Five separate Cbus Networks were needed due to the huge amount of Cbus products used. We have Cbus controlling: 29 motorised blinds, motorised plasma lift, irrigation, lighting control for over 600 light fittings, RGB colour changing LED lighting for Games room, Theatre, and swimming pool areas, control of Aqualink pool controller and motion sensors. Walking throughout the house is easy when the lights do their thing, on when you need the light and off when you don’t. Simple.
When we first met the client the brief was to incorporate technology within the home but ensuring ease of use and flexibility to add, update and incorporate new products. So it was off to the drawing board. With numerous discussions, research and countless hours of preparation we delivered what is arguably a home with the latest technology available in today’s market. Some of the products used within this home were a first in Australia. We had to be flexible throughout the project as equipment changed due to advancements in technology. We had to ensure these latest technologies were implemented as the project progressed. We provided the design for all the technology within the home, this also included lighting design, audiovisual design, drawings, installation manuals, Scope of Works, Cbus design, detailed specifications. Project Management was also provided for the duration of the project which ensured a smooth implementation.
A Samsung Wireless IP telephone system was installed for use throughout the 4 level home. We picked this system after many hours of research and testing, because the system allows the owner to use any wireless handset anywhere in the house. Allowing them to walk between floors without dropping any calls. There are wireless IP base stations located throughout the installation, providing IP connectivity to all handsets as well as wireless connection for laptops and other equipment. The new wireless handsets were not only stylish, but had that mobile phone feel. A total of 12 wireless handsets, 2 fixed phones and 2 x Softphones were used. One of the best features with the system is that we (HTS) have integrated the phone system into our HTS touch screen system, this allows the owner to use the touch screen to make calls, answer calls, transfer calls and also view their message bank. Each member of the house has their own message bank. Specialized lighting.
How do we take a home and create lighting affects comparable with Crown, we introduce LED colour changing lights with the ability to change the ambiance at the touch of a button. LED Colour changing lights were installed in the Theatre, Games room and pool/entertaining areas to create different moods, colours and themes.
In the theatre LED lights were installed around the 120” screen to create a look of a floating screen, a halo effect. Along all the walls under the skirting, LED lights were also used to create an effect.
All of these lights are controlled by scenes. The LED lights are controlled through both the Phillips Pronto TSU 9600 and Entec controllers via Cbus and the HTS Touch screen system. Similar product was used in the Games room to create a high tech room which has, a pool table, 52” plasma, pinball machine kitchen/bar. We have Neon flex around the ceiling, colour changing pylon lights and a ceiling feature in the shape of a bean filled with colour changing lights. Any child (or adult) would loose themselves here.
Looking for a place to watch TV, any one of the 11 TV locations will do. There are Pioneer LCD TV’s from 42” to 60” installed in these locations. The family can watch anything from HD TV to Foxtel (6 x Foxtel boxes installed) to Stored Media on a main server. 5 of the TV locations have Media Centre PC’s which provide access to the internet via a media keyboard, access to stored movies and files. Having HDMI outputs to all TV’s providing the best picture possible. To control all this equipment might sound difficult, not with the new Pronto TSU 9600. We installed 4 x Phillips Pronto TSU 9600 touch screen remotes in the main TV areas, making it easy to switch from TV to Foxtel to Media server to PS3 to CCTV. All by one touch button control.
To get excellent audio quality sound throughout the house with the focus on ease of use the Sonos multiroom Audio system was used. There are 21separately controlled Sonos zones around the home, using flush mount Speakercraft AIM8 speakers. Speakercraft outdoor and ROX speakers were also used. Connecting the Sonos to Rhapsody online just makes it even better. Anyone in the home can listen to whatever music they chose anytime they want.
With 2 x 24port 10/100/1000 LAN switches, internet access to anywhere in the house is no problem. These switches are used to connect all the Sonos locations, Wireless Samsung access points, fixed computers, 4 dedicated study areas, 5 x media servers and wireless connectivity. For the highest security WPA was used. A dedicated Communications room was built to house a range of equipment from the security system access control systems, AV and TV distributions systems, CCTV, Networking equipment and server unit.
If the power went out, what would you do? In this house, the generator would automatically start up and all the essential services would automatically be connected to the Generator and have continuous power. A 6kva generator was installed to ensure that if the power was to be lost all the essential services were maintained, including Sump pumps, Security, Emergency lighting, Telephone system and a few general circuits.
A 4 level house must have a lift. We integrated the lift into the Cbus so that prior to the lift car opening the lights in the immediate foyer of that level would light up. This was best demonstrated on the first floor. The lift lobby on this level is lined with Green Onyx and was backlit with custom designed LED lighting. When the lift opens on this level the onyx is pre-lit creating and amazing mood in which to enter this area. Need to go to the top floor; well you can’t, unless you have been authorized via a biometric fingerprint reader located in the lift. This was the most user friendly way to limit access to the top bedroom level. Just hop in the lift, validate your fingerprint and select the floor.
When you enter the theatre you feel like you are in Gold Class. The entry to the theatre has LED backlit poster panels. An optic fibre star lit ceiling was installed, which twinkles different colours. Perimeter lighting, step lighting, all controlled by the touch of a button. Integration and control of Audio Visual equipment including, JVC Projector, Lexicon processor, DVDO iscan50, PS3, HD TV, Bluray DVD, Foxtel and a Media Theatre PC. It’s got the lot. Two rows of electric recliner chairs. Picture and sound quality, the best.
There are 3 x Touch screen systems located on Ground, Level 1 and Level 2. Level 2 has the Clipsal C-Touch colour touch screen located between the lift and bedrooms. Everyone can access scene functions from this location which controls different aspects in the home, such as goodnight, good morning; blinds, local lighting, as well as being able to view the status of all CBus controlled lighting in the home. We also have our HTS interactive touch screen systems installed, one on ground floor and one on level 1, near the kitchen area. The busiest part of the home is the kitchen, so why not have everything at your fingertips easily accessible. Control every aspect from the touch screen, scenes, access control, view security cameras, talk to a visitor at the front door and then open it from the touch screen. Select a menu to control your entire home lighting, home theatre, irrigation, and much more. Check up to date weather forecasts, browse the web and check your emails. The touch screen system which includes a camera and microphone can be used to make telephone calls, answer calls, transfer calls and view messages. The built-in webcam allows you to use Skype video, chat to anyone in the world. Control the SONOS from the touch screen, set pool lighting moods, control the colour of the pool and heaps more.
“the team at HTS worked together with many trades. They project managed the entire project. Achieving an outstanding result.” …. David
Using Automation throughout this project and the ability to control aspects of the apartment from a central location was a must for our client. We accomplished this by in stalling and HTS touch screen conveniently located int he kitchen. This meant that the client could control and have access to all the lighting automation with preset themes, such as Goodbye, Welcome and Holiday modes. With the touch of a button they are able to view any one of the three IP cameras located around the property. Each apartment had slightly different products but all had a combination of security, cameras, lighting automation, video intercom access to multiple locations.
"we got what we wanted and were within our budget." ...Garry
The Clipsal Cbus Reflection range of switches were used. This fitted in well with the style of the house, large glass windows and steel finishes. A HTS touch screen was installed in the kitchen where the client could control this 4 level home. Many scenes were created for entertaining and easy living. The security system, Concept 4000 was used to provide cross functionality, such as using the state of the security system to initiate welcome scenes and goodbye scenes. Sonos multiroom audio was used throughout which can be controlled via the HTS touch screen and the clients itouch.
Numerous PTZ IP cameras were installed to allow the client to view all these cameras and the entire house from his office or anywhere he has internet access, or when he is on holiday. All the cameras can be viewed form the HTS touch screen. Opening of electric doors can be done by simply touching the door open icon on the touch screen.
"I found HTS easy to deal with and have added to my systems over the years with ease" ...Michael
A huge home requires lots of planning. HTS was appointed to provide a range of systems which required a simple interface to control all the automation, audiovisual, security, cameras and much more.
Three HTS 17" touch screen systems were installed in convenient locations and one CTouch was installed in the gym. The house has 12 CCTV cameras located around the property and a DVR (digital video recorder) was used to record all the activity for future reference. All the cameras can be viewed in groups on all the touch screens as well as any of the 10 TV's located around the house.
A theatre with the best quality sound and projector to rival the big movie houses was installed. You can sit back and relax, watching anything from Foxtel IQ2, HD TV or a bluray movie.
There is not only one Projector in the house but two. The other being in the main attraction for entertaining, the Sports bar. A 110" motorised screen was installed. There are also 4 42" TV's above the bar where you can watch anything from Foxtel sports to having Internet access on one of the plasmas. There are 4 separate Foxtel boxes which allows for different Foxtel channels to any of the TV's or Projector. All these functions are controlled either through a HTS touch screen located in the Bar or through one of three Pronto 9400 remotes. Audio from any one of the TV's can be played throughout the bar or onto the adjacent patio.
A 12 zone Sonos music system was used to provide distributed music to any one of the areas around the house.
The living area boasts the latest 52" Sharp LCD which has is own separate surround sound system.
The Concept 4000 security system was used to provide not only a state of the art security system with multiple zones and areas but also provided for access control via keypads to all entry doors. The access control system also provided control via remote to any one of the seven garage doors.
A house of this size required 2 dedicated Communications rooms with air-conditioning. These two rooms house all the technology equipment including audiovisual equipment and CBus switchboards.
Communications throughout the house is provided through a NEC telephone system with gate control from any handset.
The Cbus automation system controls in excess of 300 lighting circuits, 35 motorised blinds, Infrared to all the audiovisual equipment, ponds and water features and more than 30 motion sensors.
"a great job, just what I wanted, easy to use and control"
HTS screens were located on all of the 3 levels, kitchen, main bedroom and living area, controlling all aspects of the home including, CCTV, Cbus, Security and Audiovisual. We integrated the pool and pumps connecting to the Aqualink pool controller using a high level interface. From any of the touch screens the client can set moods and scenes which include all the pumps for the cascading waterfalls and ponds throughout the home.
All the doors in the house are monitored through the Concept 4000 security system and the status of all the doors are monitored from the touch screens using floor plans with coloured icons indicating if the doors are open or locked.
The house has numerous motorised electric blinds controlled via the touch screens. They are set on timers and open when the client arrives home. The security system is also connected to the Cbus allowing for certain scenes to be triggered based on the status of the alarm.
"we ended up with a system that controls our house just how we wanted, thanks to HTS and the team"
Located less than 50m from the beach this residence has all the technology and convenience. This includes the Cbus automation system for all the lighting, electric blinds, pool control and sensors to control lighting in passages and stairways of this 4 level home.
A home theatre was installed in the basement level with a motorised projector lift and scene settings which just need one touch of a button to initiate the theatre experience.
There are security camera and a high end security system with access control.
A HTS touch screen is located in the kitchen allowing the client to see the status of all the lighting on all the level including control of the pool and water features and much more. There is also the ability to watch digital TV on the touch screen making it convenient and easy for the client to multitask in the kitchen. Having internet access on the touch screen also lets the client view emails and access the web to search for local activities and online shopping.
'it's always a pleasure to deal with Michael and his staff, their service is prompt and efficient"
