With home control an increasingly attractive amenity among prospective homeowners looking in the luxury market, the deployment of the technology was a no-brainer for property developer Firoka Group when working on a new 8-home complex in London.
Completed in 2017, Bishops London covers more than 75,000ft2 of prime real estate in the heart of the affluent area of Hampstead, in the London Borough of Camden. The project site comprised of four detached mansions in total – one of which has been transformed into five deluxe apartments and a private leisure complex for residents. With a number of parties from the design and technology world involved, the project took four years to complete, with key stakeholders including Wolff Architects and Ridge & Argent Design collaborating with recognised custom installer Custom Sight and Sound (CSS) to deliver the project.
Firoka tasked CSS with providing a “discreet yet extensive smart technology integration” for each property in Bishops London, critically, that would allow the real estate agent to maximise the opportunity to promote customisable, easy-to-use technology as a key sales benefit.
No stranger to expansive and technically demanding projects, CSS opted for Crestron technology for control of all AV, security, shading, motorised window and heating & cooling systems (via BACNET control) in each property, as well as in the dedicated home cinemas found in three of the homes (controllable via a touch screen or smart device). Ultra-High Definition TVs were also dotted around the homes when owners are not enjoying the dedicated cinema space, connected to the home’s broader DigitalMedia 4K distribution system.
“Our goal was to provide our clients with the very best, so Crestron was the sensible option,” commented Nilu Kanani, Firoka Group. “Since completion, we have been very satisfied with the integrated systems on site.”
Crestron’s Pyng technology now allows each resident to manage the technology in their home wherever they may be via their mobile, in addition to giving CSS the flexibility the project specifically required for Crestron’s eco-friendly ‘Green Light’ lighting platform. The platform allowed for greater flexibility on-site during the project, as well as offering product continuity across the development.
“Utilising Pyng on this scale also proved a massive success. The installation methods and programming ethos behind the brand meant we could operate more efficiently behind the scenes and offer our client a new level of technology and a great user experience,” said Ian Bolt, company director at CSS.
"The installation methods and programming ethos behind the brand meant we could operate more efficiently behind the scenes and offer a great user experience."
In the home, residents can choose from controlling the various technologies deployed via customised wall-mounted Crestron touch screens, remote control handsets and C2N lighting keypads. The C2N keypads installed have been specifically designed to match the exact style, size and finishes of all other wall accessories in the home, allowing them to blend seamlessly with the interior design of each space.
Working with independent specialists, CSS created bespoke fascias to exactly match all Crestron C2N keypads to client requirements. In addition, the specialist approach to button engraving means buttons can be swapped easily to meet the specific requirements of homebuyers as they move in.
This flexibility and attention to detail was a key requirement of the project brief, ensuring developers could deliver a personalised home for potential buyers now and also in the future. Via Pyng, Bolt notes re-configuring the home-wide system for future homeowners is now as simple as possible; “Given its modular design and practical applications, we can very simply add or alter the project without the need to pull the house apart or substantially re-programme to achieve the client’s changes to the system.”
Elsewhere, control also extends to three state-of-the-art home cinemas, featuring a Screen Research acoustically transparent screen paired with a Sim2 Crystal projector, with audio powered by Triad. An Oppo Blu-ray player is also on hand, allowing homeowners to enjoy a variety of 4K-quality content when relaxation is on the agenda.
A communal door entry system across the entire development with concierge and gate access is powered by BPT and linked to the Crestron platform via the wall mounted touch panels.
Of such a high quality was the project and the technology integration that CSS recently picked up the accolade for the ‘Best Incorporation of Crestron Pyng’ at the 2018 edition of Crestron’s EMEA Integration Awards at ISE for its work at Bishops London.
Tech-Spec
Anthem AV receiver
BPT door entry (linked to Crestron platform)
Crestron automation system including 3-Series processors, TSW touch panels and handheld remotes
Crestron DigitalMedia 4K video distribution system
Crestron lighting system including Green Light enclosure panels (with integrated modules and RCBO protection), Pyng Control Hubs, Cresnet distribution hubs, custom keypads, occupancy sensors, dimmer & switch modules
Crestron SWAMP 24x8 Sonnex multiroom audio system & expanders, network streaming players and in-wall & AIR landscape speakers
Oppo 4K Blu-ray player
Samsung UHD TVs (multiple sizes)
Screen Research acoustically transparent projection screen
Sim2 Crystal projector
Triad loudspeakers