With 16 million colours of lighting, a fully integrated KNX control system and its own panoramic observation point, this Belgrade villa turns scale into a seamless visual experience.
A residential project of extreme scale in Southeastern Europe, this property translates its size into a technical ecosystem. With a bespoke visualisation interface, it transforms complex building systems into an intuitive user journey. Decorative lighting washes the villa in shifting colours inside and out; multifunctional systems in the central hall host everything from sports activities to studio recordings; and a smart pool joins forces with an outdoor videowall. What lifestyle ambitions shaped the brief - and how did it evolve over the project journey?
Modern connection
Unsurprisingly, this level of flexibility required both architecture - and trust - built from the ground up. Miloš Stankovic, lead software designer at Serbian integration firm Elektrovat, says the project emerged after carrying out electrical engineering services with the client over a decade.
He reflects: “The construction of a home is not just a personal matter, but a responsibility to offer something unique to the world; for example, pools placed on rooftops rather than the ground, buildings whose functions are interwoven, or multifunctional spaces that can quickly adapt to different purposes.”
A case in point, this villa uses ComfortClick and KNX to merge functions across the 6000+m2 site into single-system operation. Beyond just convenience, the dedicated Sledgehammer server - known for huge estates and hotels - oversees everything from maintenance to security with intelligent lighting, temperature and entry. And from the perspective of a client new to complex home automation, the complementary ComfortClick app extends control and customisation to Apple iPads.
Alongside wall-mounted touch panels, this creates a layered control experience for both residents and staff. “The idea was to provide the owner, security team and support staff with a simple interface, truly easy to use,” Stankovic explains. “The support staff, for example, receive information about whether cleaning or the Do Not Disturb (DND) status has been requested in any of the rooms.”
Elsewhere, the three-floor villa’s sweeping windows work with conceptual lighting to create a sense of transcendence. The DMX-controllable Colour Kinetics LED luminaires are positioned at height to simulate daylight effects in the built environment, with a standout example being the entrance hallway; not only does it span all levels, but also offers courtyard views.
This interplay between interior and system design culminates in the villa’s central dome. “The combination of modern materials and interior technologies, together with the neoclassical architectural style, represents a true expression of the modern era,” says Stankovic. “In addition to the main level, which serves as the living room, the dome includes a staggered sleeping area and workspace, with a spiral staircase leading to the 37m observation point. Both physically and metaphorically, this represents the pinnacle of the house – architecturally rising from the ground and reaching its highest point.”
System meets space
Stankovic insists that KNX was selected to unify the very different demands of the home’s novelty spaces, ranging from an underground go-kart track to music and fitness studios. Additional AV elements, such as speakers or audio zones for the entertainment spaces, are planned as part of future upgrades to the KNX integration.
“Thanks to the flexibility and scalability of KNX, all requirements were fully met,” he confirms. “The installation of the electrical power and communication systems was undoubtedly one of the most demanding tasks.”
While the Cloud MX141M audio mixer/media player enables background music, live inputs and event use across multiple zones, the Cisco network carries IP-based communication between systems. The two allow audio and environmental changes, triggered by control interfaces like the iPad, to shape atmosphere through custom scenes. At the same time, the fully networkable MC² Audio D80-DSP audio amplifier delivers and configures sound using integrated DSP - invaluable in large spaces.
Control logic
More broadly speaking, the KNX platform handles HVAC operation, lighting, curtains and intercom communications. “One of the most challenging aspects was developing the control logic for the HVAC substation, circulation pumps, chillers and gas-fired boilers,” says Stankovic. “Developing the HVAC automation involved the integration of two heat pumps, two chillers, and 30 circulation pumps, fully capable of managing both heating and cooling modes. As such, we needed to ensure all signals and systems were successfully integrated into the HVAC control software.”
The Schneider Modicon M241 PLC controller manages this coordination, optimising energy use and fault detection with adjustments to temperature, airflow and humidity. In practice, this ensures the entire property maintains stable climate conditions without user intervention.
In total, more than 100km of power cables were installed in the private villa, with a team of technicians testing each electrical circuit and DALI device. They were on-site continuously during the installation to precisely position, wire and test all components.
“A significant amount of time was dedicated to details, paying strict attention to individual placement,” Stankovic explains. “This painstaking attention carried over to the building itself. We worked closely with the construction company to study their architectural drawings, technical plans, and supporting documentation, as well as 3D visualisations and renderings. These materials were later used to create the graphical interfaces shown on the SpaceLogic Touch IP Smart Screens and ComfortClick visualisation.”
Beyond the interiors, KNX control even extends to a custom waterfall in the outdoor living area; in a sun-lounger-spectacle, this system offers three waterfall speeds and supports one of four pools in the property. The Unilumin videowall makes a nod to hospitality design, measuring just over 6x4m and adding visual impact to the outdoor experience - just like the architecture itself.
Decorative lighting
Whether circadian or celebratory, the story-led lighting deploys fully configurable controls to display colours from Serbian flag scenes to personalised birthday settings. But how exactly was the 16million-colour Philips Colour Kinetics adjustment system united with KNX scenes and ComfortClick?
“The Pharos Controls LPC controller enables this functionality,” Stankovic relates. “Predefined lighting scenes are created on it and can be easily selected via iPad, while the client can also fine-tune colours using the RGBW mixer in the KNX visualisation.”
Users can even save their preferred colour settings on the interface, dressing the villa in dynamic visual effects across its neutral facades and vaulted floors. “If I were to highlight an outstanding element, it would have to be this integrated visual system,” Stankovic reflects. “The lighting just creates a unique atmosphere, notable for its ability to rearrange visual effects from an iPad. These features really showcase the full artistic potential of the smart building system.”
Paired with the villa’s almost institutional interiors, integrated fixtures and precise spotlighting enhance openness throughout the architecture. The use of marble and glass amplify this effect, visually expanding the spaces and making them appear larger. The Schneider High bay presence detector cultivates this atmosphere with automatic lighting and HVAC control, responding to motion and ambient light levels.
Security and user needs
Handed over for use in the autumn of 2025, this villa moves away from traditional remote access. Although the system supports such functionality, the owner opted instead for an integration that allows their security team to monitor the premises 24/7. The KNX Multitouch Pro provides a fixed wall interface for staff, complemented by iPad-based control via ComfortClick. The security system combines standalone CCTV surveillance with KNX-integrated door and gate entry control.
“For maintenance and servicing, we set up secure VPN access,” Stankovic says. “This connection provides access to all KNX and automation devices, allowing us to quickly identify the cause of any issue while respecting the user’s operational preferences. If an on-site technician visit is required, we also provide this service.”
“The construction of a home is not just a personal matter, but a responsibility to offer something unique to the world.”
The central racking, located in a secure basement area, houses an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for battery backup in the case of main grid power failure or fluctuation. “From the outset, our main objective was to deliver maximum comfort and automation in this property,” says Stankovic. “As the project progressed, the client also introduced additional requirements, particularly around pool waterfall control and fully bespoke lighting, after understanding the capabilities of KNX technology. It was my initial idea to implement room cleaning notifications and a DND function, which went on to receive approval from the owner.”
He expects them to upgrade the system in future, establishing a long-term collaboration that extends beyond the villa to their core business activities. As a passionate music enthusiast and active musician, the owner’s planned AV upgrades are key to developing a highly bespoke and immersive listening experience at home.
With juxtapositions between heritage and modernity at its core, this villa reaches beyond the boundaries of private residential design. Here, the control system pairs functionality with aesthetics to make technology its own expressive medium. While the architecture undoubtedly makes a statement, it’s the integration beneath that ultimately turns system into spectacle.
Photos taken by Marina Ðuric and Miloš Milosavljevic
Tech-Spec
Apple iPad with ComfortClick client app
Aruba WiFi access point
Cisco Catalyst 9300 network switches
Cloud MX141M audio mixer/media player
ComfortClick Sledgehammer building automation server
KNX 3-speed waterfall controller for outdoor pool
MC2 Audio D80-DSP audio amplifier
Pharos Controls LPC for decorative lighting, fully integrated with KNX and ComfortClick
Philips ColorKinetics LED
Schneider Electric Multitouch Pro, High bay presence detector and M241 PLC for HVAC automation
SpaceLogic KNX DALI Gateway Pro; Valve Drive Controller; Fan Coil Controller; Blind Master; spaceLYnk logic controller; and Touch IP Smart Screens
Unilumin outdoor videowall, 6.5x4m