COMING UP - Architects showcase - Affordable Self Funding Home Automation Solutions for Housing Comp
2017 Architects integrating affordable home automation into housing complexes.
Integrating some of the more traditional Home Automation products such as Control4 or Moni can add another $50,000 to construction costs per dwelling. Thereafter the owner would be subject to additional costs for programming and maintenance. One smart designer in Surry Hills, Sydney has come up with a more "pay as you go" to modernizing the technology available to new dwellings. He has found that by implanting base infrastructure such as dual ethernet cabling, interchangeable switching into the design, only adds a mere $2000 to the cost of construction for each dwelling. The advantage being each dwelling is then "Home Automation Ready" should the new owners decide to take the next step.
The new "smart home ready" designs are the brain child of Sherif Saad Managing Director of Artmade Pty Ltd who said "not everyone wants to use home automation, and you see putting in the backbone during construction is not expensive, but puts the option there for the owner, and increases the resale value of the dwelling". Sherif went on to say 'it's good for the builders/developers as well, because they have the option to be competitive on price for the dwelling, and then just like we see at McDonalds when they as: "Do you want fries with that?", the developer can ask "Do you want Home Automation with that Sir", and still be competitive on the price of the dwelling.'
Whilst the idea may of been used in part already, what is new is the pre-testing of several possible home integration approaches and laying foundations that will allow the owner to choose their preferred automation approach. New devices such as those communicating with Zwave, Zigbee, Insteon, Wireless, RF, Infra-red all create different reflections, blockages and harmonics in the dwelling that can block signals resulting in unreliable operation of devices. Experience with the technology gives the architectural firm the knowhow to avoid these gotcha's and create a more livable/flexible/extendable "smart home environment".
Thai Tran of Artmade Pty Ltd said "In many cases this comes down to simple choice of wall materials. The location of cable runs, placement of cable boxes and choice of panel connection that allow the DIY owner to connect the devices of choice. Locator slips for $5 a bag of 100 help find these connection points years after the dwelling is built. Then the owner should be able to fit these devices without climbing through manholes, fixing unsightly cables along skirting boards and ceilings or drilling holes through walls and floors. But the design aspect is important as well, for example you need to understand the harmonic characteristics that differ between 2.4ghz, 5ghz and RF signals whilst creating attractive, livable spaces in the home. It's an entirely new way of approaching design".
