Residential
Ephraim Island Penthouse #1
Our client purchased this beautiful penthouse at Ephraim Island with a view to expanding on the basic C-Bus lighting control system that was included in the contract price. Motorised blinds/curtains on every window were a requirement, as was a Media Room and Hi-Def Audio/Video distribution. A discrete TV in every room that can view Foxtel, Blu-Ray, and DVD, nice music everywhere, and most importantly, effortless control were her requests. Her business activities kept her out of the country for long periods of time so it was also her desire that we take initiative in products and design, don’t compromise the phenomenal views, and deliver a great result!
We began by designing the additional elements to the contract CBus design. The client added many dimmable lighting circuits, motorized blinds or curtains on all windows, and upgraded switch styles. As we were responsible for the contract C-Bus this was a relatively simple and economical upgrade.
Because the client specifically requested simple and local control of the entire system, and a music server for the primary audio source, Control4 was the most obvious and worthy solution for the control layer. Control4 gave us a local hand-held but full function remote for every zone, a large central touchscreen, a large portable touchscreen in the Media Room, a music server, simple network architecture, and many avenues for later add-ons. It was an easy fit to the scope of works and clients requests.
Our clients two children are home schooled, which not only added network configuration and management to our scope, but placed a larger emphasis on the ‘kids entertainment’ aspect of the home. The Theatre room is their retreat with movies, games consoles galore, a pinball machine, and the essential pop corn maker. With 4 Foxtel subscriptions, each member of the family has their own box available, with Control4 allowing us to easily steer the applicable Foxtel boxes to any or all of the TV’s. Both of the children have an iPod touch that doubles as a full remote control showing all control options and music library, as well as music from each of the 4 iPod docks throughout the home.
Global scenes that set mood lighting, blinds and curtains, mood music, and TV channels are the clients most used feature of the system and her greatest surprise. 90% of her operation is done via these global scenes. She also loves the fact she can log in to home from her office or anywhere in the world and if needed, turn off TV’s in her kids bedrooms and turn on the lights in the School room should they require some prompting.
Aesthetic minimalism, performance, functionality, and simplicity were all aspects of the brief the client boasts exceeded her.
Ephraim Island Penthouse #2
We began by designing the additional elements to the contract CBus design. The client added many lighting circuits, motorised blinds on all windows, and upgraded switch styles. As we were responsible for the contract C-Bus this was relatively simple and economical.
The best control system for the requirements and budget we decided was RTI. The client liked the variety of controllers available and we used models from across the range according to the importance and scope of control required in each zone. RTI’s integration with Escient music servers also made the library choice simple. Being able to control the music library from all controllers and view it on some was of great appeal to the client. The controllers are also programmed to operate all lighting circuits and blind motors either independently, or in groups or scenes.
The Middle Atlantic rack allowed for a neat and professional home for all of the electronics while still allowing for easy servicing and tidy cable management. Due to the billion dollar views of the Gold Coast, Moreton Island, and Sovereign Island offered by this penthouse; using Ultra-lift plasma lifters and Sonance Ellipse flush speakers to conceal the equipment when not in use was a no-brainer.
The HAL distributed audio and video system exceeded the client’s expectations for sound and picture quality, and ease of use on the RTI controllers. The Pioneer plasma panels also deliver beautiful crisp HD images with help from the HAL IRIS RGB. Aesthetic minimalism, performance, functionality, and simplicity were all aspects of the brief the client boasts exceeded expectations.
In normal circumstances an installation like this would have been gruelling. Dealing with a large construction company building a large multi-dwelling development has many hurdles and obstacles. Also adding to an existing contract lighting system can be challenging when needing to expand on another integrator’s work. However we were lucky on this project. We have a great working relationship with Mirvac, and having already been commissioned to do the contract automation for the Ephraim Island project, we were simply building on the work we had already done.
A good relationship with the client also afforded us excellent access to site and time to complete our installation. Installing the plasma lifters was probably the greatest challenge due to a restrictive and very busy ceiling cavity.
The Cliffs Penthouse
Although our contract was with the builder, it was the developer who first contacted us about their ambitious project. Superbly positioned on one of the last prime riverside sites available in Kangaroo Point, this boutique apartment building consisting of 7 exceptional quality units, offers unequalled river and city views.
The developer wanted to do something very special in the flagship unit; therefore their vision for the penthouse was discrete music, quality A/V, dedicated Theatre, and simple control and automation. Specifics included control of lights, blinds, motorised vergola, pool pump and water features, HVAC, AV and Theatre, and a music server.
We specified Switch Automation control for the entire building so the 15” in-wall server touchpanel was already in place in the contract. This provided IP based Video Intercom and interfaced to the access control system. C-Bus lighting was also part of the core contract for each unit. Therefore our first job was to build upon these to achieve the inspiring vision of the developer for this penthouse.
The variety of RTI touchscreen remotes were a natural fit to supplement the Switch Automation touchscreen. These provide local control in the key rooms. The roof of the penthouse is an entertainment haven with a pool, Spa, full bar, garden, BBQ, and viewing platform. RTI’s waterproof remote with LCD display was the perfect control solution for this location.
The 15” Switch Automation touchpanel was expanded to not only control lighting, HVAC, Video Intercom, and Access Control; but also all AV equipment, Music server, Internet, TV and Foxtel Program Guide, Motorised Blinds, water features, and the rooftop Vergola. A Plasma lifter in the bedroom was necessary to preserve the magnificent views. In the living room, the ceilings are very high, so we made the decision not to use the in-ceiling music speakers for audio for TV sources. The Pioneer Kuro Plasma and a Yamaha Sound projector, which handles TV audio, is built in flush to the wall above the electric fireplace. The Axium Distributed music system switches seamlessly between the ceiling speakers for music sources, and the sound projector for video sources. At the developer’s request, the Theatre room is modest and unpretentious. The room is relatively small and comfortable; therefore the smaller screen size compliments the viewing distance. This also meant the performance of the projector and sound system were well above expected.
Background automation handles such tasks as; closing blinds at specific times of day to protect furniture from the sun, lighting triggered by motion sensors, pool pump management, and water features. Programmed scenes administer mood lighting, blind drop levels, background music, HVAC, and the security system. At the owners request we programmed a holiday mode, selectable timers for the pool and water feature, and an override for automation in case of wild weather.