Integrated interiors

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Moving forward, systems will continue to get smarter, and increasingly sophisticated, El-Kassir noted. “Interior automation is becoming smarter and can easily be integrated with many other systems. We are expecting more involvement of the PC in the home automation business, plus telecommunication will have a great interface for the same,” he commented.

IBM has been busy developing the next generation of ‘smart home’ technology, which is enabled by Cloud technology. In this case, the intelligence required to automate the home is not based on centralised control in the home, through a home server or home gateway, but rather in the network, or the Internet ‘Cloud’. According to IBM, this improves the user experience, and creates new efficiencies.

Fuelled by the widespread availability of broadband Internet access, as well as the proliferation of web-enabled appliances and devices within the average home, IBM has identified this as the logical next step in the evolution
of home automation.

In concrete terms, a ‘smarter’ home will include a refrigerator that can adjust its cooling temperature based on the volume of items that it contains; a thermostat that will change its target temperature based on current and coming weather conditions; a television that will recommend TV shows based on past selections; and a washer and dryer that will self-determine water temperature and cycle times based on load volume, dirt level and time of
day energy rates.

According to Americo Machado, leader, IBM Europe, Middle East & Africa, Electronics Industry, the current economic climate could be instrumental in promoting greater awareness of sustainability – even in parts of the world not known for their green credentials – which will invariably highlight the need for intelligently-integrated environments. But instigating widespread change will take time.

“It all depends on the stimulation generated by local governance to increase energy efficiency, particularly in an environment still consuming a lot of traditionally-sourced electricity such as oil and gas, and this quite often for a low-fixed price model or even zero-price for local people.

However, the advent of initiatives such as Masdar City bode well for the future, he continued. “There is no doubt, in my opinion, that projects like Masdar City, with a main objective of becoming the first carbon neutral city in this world, will need to take mandatory advantage of such smart solutions,” Machado said.

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Ultimately, the key to successfully incorporating technology into any project is opening up very clear lines of communication, and making sure that all relevant parties are brought on board as early as possible. “We need to come in at the concept stage, because our designs affect MEP, the AC, security, the network infrastructure, everything,” Burrows explained.

Basically, in order to capitalise on the benefits of technology, and ensure that technology is enhancing rather than hindering design, it is essential that all parties are communicating clearly from the very outset.

“Lighting design and control is very important to the ambience of a room,” Burrows said. “Curtain control, drape control, black-out blinds – all of these things are part of the interior design. TVs have to be recessed into walls so you get nice, clear cut finishes. How heavy are the curtains? Can we actually move them with an electronic system? Is there underground heating, is the pool heated, will there be lights in the pool? What water features will there be? What finishes will there be on the wall? Do the touch panels have to match those finishes? You have to work together, because you definitely won’t get anywhere working apart.”

Loft living

The Loft by Neocasa showcases the very latest in home automation technology. Sound system technology was supplied by Loewe, which brought an entire media collection of CDs, MP3s, DVDs, iTunes and satellite radio together into one streamlined, flexible and open architecture system. The Loft also features the new Loewe multi-room system, a high performance home entertainment and multi-room audio distribution system that is user friendly and simple to install. Right out of the box, the Loewe media center turns any home into a state-of-the-art entertainment space. The Loewe assist media remote can control an entire multi-room entertainment system. Alternatively, all the products can be integrated into a Crestron control system and users can enjoy the on-the go convenience of using an iPod touch or iPhone to gain access and control the entire entertainment and home automation system.