As the economy contracts, the consumer response is to tighten the belt. This usually means spending less on everything but the essentials, such as fuel, groceries, and utilities.

Luxury items are often the first to suffer.

So the home automation industry might reasonably expect to be on shaky ground, but these days few in the industry define electronic infrastructure in the home as a luxury.

The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Australasia’s general manager Stephen Miller, for one, sees a fully wired home as a “basic” in the 21st century. 

“When new homes are built, often the essential ‘electronic plumbing’ hasn’t been installed to allow for kids to hook their computer up or to have a second TV in the spare room.

“Skimping on these things at the installation stage is false economy. Home owners think that they’re saving but in the long run they are not and­ it will cost a lot more to install these things later as a retrofit.”

No one was affected more during the economic crisis than the US. In fact, the housing market was so affected that it is still trying to recover.

But, as for connected home technologies, where people may have expected to see the market slow, or even cease, custom installers have instead rallied together to find new applications for these technologies. Applications that will undoubtedly work in your favour.

During the peak of the crisis, a building developer began work on converting a large, former grain silo in Baltimore, Maryland, into a group of affordable apartments called ‘Silo Point’ that featured all of the latest advancements home automation had to offer.

The premise of converting the old silo into a residential project arose when it became apparent that only those projects that were financially sound and had a unique aspect could bear the seal of success.

The developer contracted a local custom installation company, Starr Systems, to fit out a showroom that would help promote and sell the condominiums.

As a result, this model home includes several technologies that you would expect in a high-end property – and a few that you would not.

Touch panels from manufacturer AMX can control lighting, motorised shading, security, music and television systems. Meanwhile, the main living area includes a 5.1 channel digital home theatre system with a Bowers and Wilkins speaker package, a Yamaha AV receiver and a Sony flat panel LCD television on a custom motorised lift.

Lutron motorised shading covers the windows on three sides of the main living area to control the natural light and help to reduce the heat generated by the sun shining on the windows all day. A motorised drapery track in the master suite also adds to the appeal.

An iPort iPod docking station provides music throughout the home and a touch screen iPod can double as a control panel in the home to make system demonstrations even more impressive. This can of course be extended to include control from the new Apple iPads, which have proven to be viable alternatives to most touch panels, and only a fraction of the cost.

While these technologies are definitely a strong talking point for many prospective buyers, one of the more impressive features of this silo-turned-condominium is the digital concierge system that was designed specifically for the building.

With some help from AMX, the software was adapted to complement the needs of the building and also integrate with the onsite concierge. Using this panel, residents can check the weather, schedule personal training appointments or make dinner reservations. These services and several others integrate with the system, the concierge’s website and the concierge themselves via a smart phone.

It is therefore this level of luxury and attention to detail that has attracted buyers to the property and made it one of the most successful installations in the country, particularly during a time that saw the number of condominium sales plummet.

Installer

Starr Systems Design
www.starrsystems.net