Architect & Interiors team :Ar Samdeep Nandwani & Ar Varsha Nandwani – Panchkula
Lighting Design & Automation by: Mr. Harmeet Singh, Director of Coolways Group
This is an extravagant residence with a built-up area of 20,980 square feet. These technology-savvy owners wanted to operate the entire house with a click of a button and through a single mobile app. They were keen on having security cameras, intrusion alarm systems, indoor and outdoor lighting, motorized curtains and blinds, and air conditioners for every room. With toilet exhaust fans, water heat pump, televisions with set-top box in every bedroom, home theatre system as well as music zones were to be set across the home.
The Scope of Work
The work started from the designing stage, with consultation for the VRF air conditioning system to building a complete smart home for the clients. Eventually, Coolways provided a reliable system that could be seamlessly installed along with an after-sale service for air conditioning and an integrated home automation system.
At first, it was necessary to provide a centralized (wired) lighting automation system, which opened up the option of providing various keypads and other user interface options. Since there were three generation’s needs to be considered, the use of touch keypads with graphical representation was ideal. Programming was done in a way to give the clients scheduled lighting scenes that integrated with certain movements.
Dry contact modules integrated with manual switches, such that the unfamiliar people could also operate the technology. The home theatre was operated through a universal remote, which also controlled the lighting scenes. Coolways adopted a solution-centric approach that was not brand specific. The best products were handpicked led to the successful execution of this project
The clients along with their architect, got in touch with Coolways when the electrical design work had begun, as it required the incorporating of the air conditioning and home automation system. After a brief interview, a list of the owner’s requirements was prepared.
The lighting circuits were tentatively calculated giving an idea of the electrical panel size and the rack size. After color coding and tagging the wires the physical routing was charted out with the client and the architect. The team laid the conduits and wiring while the civil work continued. The modules included actuators, phase-cut dimmers, 0-10V dimmers, dry contact, fan control, and curtain controls. After the wall finishes, touch screens were installed and dry contact wires were connected to the modular switches. Finally, the programming was done with a very detailed discussion and inputs from the owners, which took 10 days to complete.
The Client’s Vision
The client’s idea of a smart home was a luxurious experience combined with efficient home management. The smart home system should be capable of energy-saving and such that it gives the three generations easy-to-use interfaces, assuring the client’s peace of mind.
Automations Integrated
The base of the entire system was the controller EA5 from Control4 along with IO Extender from Control4 which worked while seamlessly integrating the lighting system from HDL (Crabtree), Clipsal (Schneider Electrical), all the televisions, set-top boxes, and home theatre system. The intrusion alarm system was used from DSC along with its interface IT100. The IP CCTV surveillance from Hikvision was connected through Araknis POE network switch. CoolmasterNet was used to integrate the VRF air conditioning system from Toshiba. The Araknis 500 series indoor wireless access points were used throughout the house giving the client a facility to use OvrC services and a complete easy-to-use remote access to his entire house.
Challenges Faced
The challenges faced during the project were nothing that Coolways had not encountered in their experience. With carefully planning, multiple checks, and supervision during installations at the site the entire project was smoothly completed. The coordination between the architect and the client was phenomenal and raised the quality of the project.
Eventual Outcomes
It was a superb experience in executing this project. One of the most important factors is that if the client is a technology lover, they love to play around with the technology themselves during the execution of the project and this results in an amazing finished product through innovative programming ideas.
Client’s Feedback
The client’s family was delighted, with their dreams being achieved. The overall look of the house (interiors and exteriors) matched their taste. From the lighting effects to the total management of the house, the collective thinking along with innovative programming was clearly visible, this made the client truly captivated with their smart home.
Final Takeaway
Director, Mr. Harmeet Singh of Coolways Group of Companies, believes that if one has the zeal to create something extraordinary, one can achieve the set goal with hard work, study, perseverance, and commitment to deliver the best. Making anything is possible, technology should not be a burden or a cumbersome job that needs continuous attention, rather technology makes life simpler. With great teamwork, trust, and no cutting corners the possibilities are endless in the smart homeworld.
