Case studies

The Gledhow Project - a Smart Apartment in London (2/6/2009)

Finalist in the CEDIA Region 1 Award 2009 for 'Best integrated home under GBP100,000 (125,000 Euros)', the Gledhow project involved the upgrade of an investment property in London, UK, by ISIS Integrated Systems. The equipment costs were GBP35,000, labour costs were GBP15,000, and the date of completion was December 2008.

The brief

The brief was to provide a system that would make the apartment stand out from similar properties on the market. The client was particularly keen for us to supply a combined audio and lighting keypad that was easy to use and that looked great. Multiroom audio was required for all principle rooms, and a scene-setting lighting control system throughout the property.

Since the property was for the sales market, the client wanted the installation to have impact but not be too flamboyant. It was also important that all TVs should compliment the overall design and that there be uniformity of makes and designs throughout. The client did not want any maintenance headaches so the products used were to be from reputable well-known manufactures and offer strong warranties and an excellent history of reliability. Cost was also an issue, since the client intended to make a profit from the venture.

The requirement for uniformity of makes and designs throughout led to discreet in-ceiling speakers and flatscreen TV placed in the dining area.

The solution

The first thing we looked at was the best way to combine the lighting and audio keypads. Due to budget constraints, we had to find the right balance of function, form and price. We knew from experience that both Lutron and Speakercraft offer an excellent product with strong warranty backup, which was also factor.

We like to use the KP5 keypads from Lutron because the buttons are discreet and they look great engraved. By purchasing a Lutron custom faceplate for the KP5, and a Speakercraft Decora insert pad, we were able to combine the KP5 lighting keypad with the Decora audio keypad. The end result was a brushed nickel faceplate with black inserts that looked great.

Bespoke Lutron and Speakercraft combined lighting and audio keypad faceplate.

Particular care had to be taken with the installation of the backboxes for this combined plate. The gap between the two 'J' boxes had to be precisely 19mm, otherwise the faceplate would not fit. To eliminate the risk of error, we built the combined back boxes off site using spacers sourced from an electrical wholesaler.

The multiroom system chosen was the Speakercraft MZC66 with Speakercraft CRS6 Zero in-ceiling speakers and IMKP1.1 keypads. Experience has shown that the Speakercraft system performs competently and reliably, and alongside the five-year warranty, we were confident of good support from Speakercraft distributor, CSE, should there be any issues in the future. Another important factor was that the system should be intuitive to use, so that those tasked with selling the property should be able to demonstrate it reliably, without having a technical person on standby. We knew the Speakercraft system was ideal for this, and should the potential buyer wish to evolve the system, there was a multitude of 'add ons' that we could offer.

Using Lutron for lighting control was also an easy decision thanks to its reliability, the range of products available and its ease of use. We also spent time on the lighting design with an interior designer so that when the photos for the marketing brochure were taken, the apartment looked at its absolute best.

Lutron-controlled handrail light.

For the TV screens, we chose the latest Panasonic Viera range of HD LCD and plasma panels. The client wanted black screens but was not keen on the high-gloss finish that is commonly available. The main reception room was pre-wired so that the end user could easily upgrade the system to include a full home cinema experience without having to damage any walls. Sky and DVD were modulated around the house, and Xantech control equipment provided full control from every TV location.

Living room with plasma recessed in joinery, a prewired for surround sound.

We added a Philips Pronto 9600 control unit so that all of the subsystems could be brought together in a single easy-to-use interface. The Pronto gave control over the audio/visual, lighting and multiroom audio systems. A 'Demo' button further helped satisfy the client's desire for a well-thought-through solution that would stand the property out from the rest.

Installation

The installation process followed our usual approach. After initial meetings, an initial proposal was tendered which, once refined, was accepted by the client. We then produced detailed positional and schematic drawings which were issued, along with our colour-coded cables, to the on-site electrician. Constant liaison with the designer, builder, electrician and joiners was required throughout the installation, so that our system was integrated seamlessly into the overall design.

As with any install, we came across challenges. The apartment was in a block managed by particularly obstinate personnel. To install the new TV and Sky aerial system took negotiations which were on a par with something normally seen in a military situation. A solution was found in that we would install a system that could, if required, also serve the other apartments should the owners wish to receive Sky TV as well.

Further problems occurred half way through the refurbishment, when the joiners and builders were both removed from site. In the end, we were the only contractor who started and finished the project. As you can imagine, our installation crossed over into many trades, so every time there was a change in personnel, we had to restart the relationship-building process.

There was comprehensive liaison between ISIS and the various joinery companies. We produced detailed drawings of all our equipment locations so that they could build the joinery to our exacting standards, and take into consideration ventilation and future maintenance requirements. Panduit patch panels provided a neat way to terminate all cables from video to Cat 5e.

Master bedroom with flush in-wall LCD TV, in-ceiling speakers and lighting control.

User feedback

The client was really happy with the installation. I think he was glad that it finally got finished and that we persevered with the job. As the only contractor to be standing at the end, he was grateful for our professionalism. The client has particularly enjoyed the programming of the Lutron system to really show the apartment's true potential and help him make his stamp on the design.

Equipment List

Lutron Series 4 Homeworks System – 40 circuits.
Lutron KP5 Keypads x 26.
Speakercraft MZC66 6-zone multiroom audio controller.
Speakercraft MKP 1.1 x 6.
Speakercraft CRS6 Two in-ceiling speakers x 10.
Speakercraft 6.5 DT dual stereo in-ceiling speaker x 1.
Panasonic TH42PF10 1080p plasma including dual HDMI card.
Panasonic 32” Viera LCD TV.
Panasonic 26” Viera LCD TV.
Sky HD satellite box.
Panasonic BD30 Blu-ray player.
Xantech IR control system.
Amp OnQ low-voltage enclosure.
Amp OnQ 8-way data module.
Amp OnQ 6-way passive video module.
Vision RF/IR amplifier.
Vision RF modulator.
Linksys 4-port router.
Netgear WG102 wireless access points.
Panduit NetKey cable management/termination equipment.
Philips Pronto TSU9600 touchscreen controller.
Philips Pronto RFX9400 RF receiver
Future Automation wall brackets – various.
Focus SB satin stainless low-level sockets
Scantronic alarm panel 9853EN grade 3.
Galaxy grade 3 ceiling-mount PIR.
Texecom optical and heat multisensor.
Elmdene grade 3 flush-mount window/door contacts.
Elmdene external alarm bell.

ISIS Integrated Systems provides systems integration of audio, television, lighting, telephone, communications, data networks, security and other bespoke systems.

www.isisintegratedsystems.com