In control of multi-million pound homes

The design and construction of these two executive family homes is something that Director of Bugler Holdings, Kieran Bugler, worked particularly closely on as he was due to occupy one himself. It is situated in a brand new gated community in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, and presented a unique project for the team to work on.

Kieran Bugler required a home automation system that would allow full control over the lighting system' and early in the design he approached Peter Malone, proprietor of T.P. & N. Electrical Contractors to ensure that the building control system was fully integrated into the rest of the build. 

Working with leading electrical solution provider, Hager UK, Peter specified the electrical manufacturer’s Tebis.KNX system. To enable the end user to interface with the installation they used Domovea which is a part of the Tebis.KNX system and is divided into two key elements. Domovea consists of a server that connects the KNX bus system onto an IP network, and the Domovea visualisation software that is available across multiple operating systems, including iOS and Android, allowing the customer to interact with their KNX. It is designed to enable building owners to monitor and control their KNX system simply through the intuitive control of different devices from PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Under the normal Tebis commands, it adds comfort and safety elements including triggering sequences, either planned or immediate, which change the configuration of the house based on events or periods all with a single click. 

Speed of installation is another key feature that allowed T. P. & N. to ensure rapid installation of the complete display, using KNX data. Firstly, a Domovea server was clipped into place, connected to the appropriate cables, and the software was installed onto a computer. Once the building was configured to the required layout, the KNX data was imported from the building automation system, that after a simple ‘drag and drop’ automatically generated the display interface.

Accompanying the sophisticated KNX system is Hager’s impressive Berker wiring accessory range, a design-led range that positions itself as the ultimate wiring accessory for intelligent homes, getting the job done while making a strong aesthetic statement. The two new homes boast a variation of the hi-tech accessories, including the Berker TS Sensor feather touch in glass polar white finish. Designed to revolutionise the world of ‘switching’, a gentle touch of the finger on its glass surface is all it takes to operate controls like lighting. 

This project is another prime example of how building automation is becoming more and more common in the specification stages of many new homes across the UK.