The Penthouse is located in Holland Park, London, and was designed as a state-of-the-art bachelor pad with which the client could impress his friends and family. There is also an external roof terrace that acts as a 'chill-out' room. The Penthouse and roof terrace straddle two building tops and are connected by a glass bridge.
The brief was to subtly incorporate into the modern, stylish interiors, audio visual systems in nearly every room, and provide entertainment from either music or video or both. Drape/blind control was also essential, as the Penthouse is mostly glazed.
The Penthouse includes a reception room with DJ decks and these were to be included as an audio source into the audio distribution system to be send to every room for events.
A centralised Crestron control system was chosen to bring together the control of music, a centralised Kaleidescape movie server, Sky TV, lighting control, motorised blinds and CCTV. We used a CAT6 and Crestron Fibre network to provide all data and TV locations with multiple connections for the existing and future systems.
The client preferred control from in-wall touchscreens in the most important rooms, and handheld remotes for key TV viewing areas. The in-wall touchscreens had to have a very intuitive GUI, as well as the ability to provide panel-to-panel intercom, so we specified the Crestron TPMC 9L for this purpose, and the MTX-3 x for the handheld areas, with supplementary control being provided via iPads docked in all other rooms, and global control via iPhones.
Large TV screens were hidden wherever possible in Future Automation mechanisms, and a 5.1 projection cinema system was concealed in the main living area.
The client has the ability to access CCTV camera feeds via the Crestron touchscreens, Apple devices and TV screens, while the door entry system is incorporated into the internal phone system and the house-keeper's mobile phone.
Since the client also travels a lot, he has the ability to view the CCTV remotely on an Apple device.
The property is 3 x 500-sq-ft. and 75% of the building has a glazed perimeter, so usable wall space was at a minimum, and there was also a general lack of usable ceiling voids. We had to take this lack of space into consideration for every room that had some form of entertainment system, and in some cases we had to have false ceiling coverings made.
Apart from the floor standing Linn speakers, all other speakers were to be as discreet as possible. There are in-ceiling speakers with trimless grilles, waterproof speakers hidden in the showers, and waterproof speakers hidden on the roof terrace.
Critically, the property also spans the top of two separate residential blocks, which meant separate fuse boards/earthing ground loops etc. To overcome these issues, fibre output cards were used in the DM video zones throughout the master suite across the glass walkway.
Local room equipment was kept to a minimum for a clean exterior finish, so only TVs and speakers were visible. Music sources include three Kaleidescape music servers and three Crestron iPod docks in key rooms, DJ decks and a DAB tuner.
A fully accessible centralised Crestron control system is housed within a 19" rack in the plant room and controls the majority of the property, whilst a secondary rack in a utility room controls the master suite.
Two localised Blu-ray and 5.1 AV receivers are concealed in both the cinema and study cupboards. The segregation of equipment was essential to keep manufacturer-specific cable runs to a minimum, while thermostatically-controlled extractor fans provided ventilation where necessary.
Since the client wanted access to centralised video sources, a Crestron 8x8 DM video matrix was used to provide 1080p resolution to the TV screens. A Kaleidescape Movie and Music server, three SkyHD+ receivers and Apple TV were supplied as video sources.
A Crestron Sonnex 24x8 audio matrix switcher feeds eight rooms on the main side, whilst a Sonnex four-zone audio expander feeds the master suite. The flexible nature of the Sonnex allows use of bridged outputs to get the power and quality necessary for some of the larger floor-standing Linn Speakers.
In addition to the in-wall touchscreens and handheld remotes, five iPads, running the Crestron Mobile Pro G app with a completely custom GUI, are housed in Crestron tabletop docks, and are available in all other rooms. The client's iPhone also has the Crestron Pro app so he has global control of the property, and timed event modes are also selectable, for example, wake up calls, party modes etc to control either specific or custom-selected zones.
There are three enterprise-grade wireless access points, and these are located in the motorised projector lift, behind the joinery panel in the study, and in the motorised TV lift in the master bedroom.
The reception room is the largest room in the apartment and features a 65" TV within the limited wall space. In the cinema room, there is a 46" screen that has been installed within a leather-padded wall. A motorised 96" diagonal projector screen drops in front of this from a recess in the ceiling, and a motorised projector drops from the ceiling above the seating area.
One of the deign goals was to ensure that certain screens were not prominent when not in use, so the kitchen's 40" Aquavision TV is housed behind a bespoke glazed panel, the master ensuite's Aquavision TV is recessed into black marble, and the study has a 40" screen recessed into the joinery.
Kitchen showing recessed 40" Aquavision hidden behind bespoke glazed pane and iPad dock with iPad running Crestron Mobile Pro G app.[/caption]
The master bedroom would have suited a 46" screen, but the large four-poster bed prevented it being from viewed around the room if it were located within the joinery as standard. A motorised TV lift was therefore used to stow the TV horizontally in the narrow ceiling void above the bed. Once open, it telescopically drops to a comfortable viewing height from the bed.
For security, a four-channel CCTV input card was specified for streaming the CCTV cameras to all TVs, touchscreens and Apple devices, while a custom module was written for feedback-rich interfacing with the Texecom Premier Elite alarm panel.
RF control was specified for controlling the motorised blinds from the touchscreens and remotes, and this was achieved by interfacing Crestron with the Somfy RS485 module. Various Crestron Cameo keypads were installed that allow double-tap and push-to-hold functions, as well as some clever use of the built-in light sensors in conjunction with astronomical time clock to control shades in specific areas.
In addition, a Somfy RS232 interface to 80 circuits of iLight lighting control with DMX colour change allows the client to set scenes per room and pick a set colour for LED spotlights from a list, for the glazed areas.
The project took 18 months, cost the client GBP150, 000 +VAT and was completed ahead of schedule.
We have a service contract with the client, but the only changes made to date have been to add additional MTX-3 handsets and provide general software updates.
The client has owned similar systems to this previously, and told us that the ease of use and simplicity of the GUI exceeded his expectations. He was impressed with the clean and neat installation of the equipment and how intuitive the keypads are to use.
The client was grateful for our on-going consultation, and let us know that the AV aspect of the build was "a pleasure to deal with" compared with many other trades and systems that proved troublesome. He was also complimentary about the actual installation team and remarked on its attire and interpersonal skills both with him, his family and the other trades on site, especially when we handed over ahead of deadline!
He has now commissioned us to work on his new country home which is currently in the design phase.
As with all our projects, we paid great attention to detail with the design and installation. Careful planning and consideration are key in projects of this type, where storage space is at a minimum and ceiling voids etc were all very tight.
Tech-Spec:
CINEMA AREA
1 x JVC X-30 DILA 3D projector.
1 x Future Automation motorised projector lift.
1 x Vutec 96" Lectric 1 motorised screen.
1 x Vutec 12V trigger interface.
1 x Panasonic 65" Viera 1080P 3D VT50.
1 x Panasonic 65" static wall-mount bracket.
1 x Denon 3312 AV amplifier with Ethernet integration.
1 x Oppo BDP-93 multiregion 3D Blu-ray player.
1 x Crestron Cameo 4 to 12-button keypad for lighting and AV control.
1 x Crestron DM-RMC-100-C, DM room receiver unit.
1 x Crestron custom desktop iPad dock.
1 x Crestron Mobile Pro-G custom programming for iPad.
1 x Crestron MTX-3 ZigBee remote control with touchscreen, includes base station.
1 x Crestron MC-3 processor and system gateway for remote controls and iPhone /iPad.
3 x Klipsch Reference in-wall speakers.
2 x Klipsch Reference in-ceiling
1 x Velodyne Microvee subwoofer.
1 x Somfy RS485RTS Crestron integration system.
DINING ROOM
2 x Klipsch Reference in-ceiling speakers 8" (pair).
KITCHEN
1 x Crestron TPMC 9L 9" full colour in-wall touchscreen.
1 x Crestron custom desktop iPad dock.
1 x Crestron Mobile Pro-G custom programming for iPad.
1 x Crestron DM-RMC-100-C, DM room receiver unit.
1 x Aquavision AVF-40-4HD 40" flush-mount mirrored screen.
1 x Klipsch Reference in-ceiling speakers 8" (pair).
RECEPTION
3 x Crestron Cameo 4 to 12-button keypad for lighting and AV control.
1 x Crestron custom desktop iPad dock.
1 x Crestron Mobile Pro-G custom programming for iPad.
GUEST ROOM
2 x Crestron Cameo 4 to 12-button keypad for lighting and AV control.
1 x Crestron custom desktop iPad dock.
1 x Crestron Mobile Pro-G custom programming for iPad.
1 x Crestron DM-RMC-100-C, DM room receiver unit.
1 x Crestron iPod docking station for full system library browsing.
1 x Crestron PWE4803RU power supply for iPod docking station.
1 x 32" LG Ultraslim LCD screen with RS232.
1 x CHC wall bracket for the above.
1 x Klipsch Reference in-ceiling speakers 8" (pair).
1 x Wiring connectivity for local PS3 in room with audio feedback to main equipment rack.
GUEST BEDROOM 1
3 x Crestron Cameo 4 to 12-button keypad for lighting and AV control.
1 x 2 x 6" LG Ultraslim LCD screen with RS232.
1 x CHC wall bracket for the above.
GUEST BEDROOM 2
2 x Crestron Cameo 4 to 12-button keypad for lighting and AV control.
1 x 46" LG Ultraslim LCD screen with RS232.
1 x CHC wall bracket for the above.
STUDY
1 x Crestron Cameo 4 to 12 Button keypad for lighting and AV control.
1 x Crestron custom desktop iPad dock.
1 x Crestron Mobile Pro-G custom programming for iPad.
1 x Crestron DM-RMC-100-C, DM room receiver unit.
1 x 40" LG Ultraslim LCD screen with RS232.
1 x CHC Wall Bracket for the above.
1 x Denon 3312 AV amplifier with Ethernet integration
1 x Klipsch in-wall subwoofer including dedicated amplifier.
3 x Klipsch Reference in-wall speakers.
1 x Definitive Technology GEM onwalls (pair).
MASTER BEDROOM TV VIEWING AREA
1 x Crestron Cameo 4 to 12-button keypad for lighting and AV control.
1 x Crestron TPMC 9L 9" full colour in-wall touchscreen.
1 x Crestron custom desktop iPad dock.
1 x Crestron Mobile Pro-G custom programming for iPad.
1 x Crestron DM-RMC-100-C, DM room receiver unit.
1 x Crestron MTX-3 ZigBee remote control with touchscreen, includes base station.
1 x 46" LG Ultraslim LCD screen with RS232.
1 x CHC Wall Bracket for the above.
1 x Denon 332 AV amplifier with Ethernet integration.
1 x Klipsch in-wall subwoofer including dedicated amplifier.
3 x Klipsch Reference in-wall speakers.
1 x GEM onwalls (pair)
MAIN EQUIPMENT RACK
1 x Middle Atlantic equipment rack and all shelving.
1 x Crestron AV2 system control processor.
1 x Crestron CEN-NVS-200 IP integration.
1 x Crestron power supply C2 N-SPWS300 system power supply.
1 x Crestron Sonnex SWAMPI-2 4x8 audio distribution system.
1 x Crestron Sonnex SWAMPI-4 audio expander.
1 x Crestron DM MD8x8 HDMI video matrix switcher.
1 x Crestron DMC-HD HDMI input card for CCTV distribution.
1 x Denon multi-output tuner with 2 x FM and 1 x DAB.
1 x Apple TV for on demand films and iTunes integration.
2 x Sky HD receiver boxes.
3 x Apple iPad2 16GB with WiFi in black.
Elliott Hicks is the Company Director of Complete Home Control, designer, project manager and installer of prestigious home automation, audio visual and home entertainment systems in the UK and Europe.
www.completehomecontrol.co.uk