Packed full of AV and home entertainment, as well as simple home automation controls, Amy Stoneham looks into how this Helsinki home creates an easier life for the homeowners.
Set in a snowy forest overlooking the Gulf of Finland, this Helsinki home is the epitome of luxury. Newly built, the homeowner had a clear idea of how he wanted his home to look and also how it should behave for him and his family. This led him to look into the idea of home automation.
Introduced by the project manager in 2019, integrator, Digisähkö was chosen to provide the whole home integration, which incorporated full home automation, lighting, indoor and outdoor AV, and a lot of home entertainment.
“I got a call from the project manager, who I already knew, in winter 2019 who asked me if Dali was any good,” says Sami Kainulainenof, senior project lead at Digisähkö. “We talked for two hours about home automation and lighting. She told me that she wasn’t convinced by the home automation system capabilities that had already been suggested to the client, so she wanted to introduce us to the client and architects and that’s how we got involved in the project.”
Design
The customer had a general idea of what he wanted in his home. He didn’t have a lot of experience with home technology, other than some streaming service usage via an AVR and a few security systems for his business. Therefore, Digisähkö were able to guide him through the level of automation he was expecting and how much entertainment he wanted throughout his home.
Jani Hirvonen, CEO and founder of Digisähkö explains: “Normally with our projects, we start with an initial interview with our clients where we establish what elements they want and what kind of quality level they are after, and we start there. For example, we ask what size TVs they would like and what areas they want them installed, what media sources they want to use (what channels or services are important to them to have on a TV), where they want to listen to music and what quality level they would like, as well as what sort of speakers they want (do they want the speakers to be as invisible as possible while retaining sound quality, or something more classic and visible such as a hi-fi speaker).
“After the interviews, we start to get a picture of what the client is looking for and we can then start recommending the right equipment for their needs.”
With a clear idea of his dream home, the homeowner worked with architects to build the property. “Luckily, we were able to be part of the design and development process so we could be involved in system integration and the spaces required for the installation,” reveals Hirvonen. “For example, we had to ensure that the technical room is big enough to house all the equipment and that it is temperature controlled so it doesn’t overheat. We don’t always get the luxury of being involved during this phase and we have to be a bit creative.”
It worked out well that Digisähkö were involved in this process as they had a challenge trying to find a suitable place to house the equipment. “Considering the level of detail, look and feel that the customer and Joarc Architects expected, the one challenge was where we would put our technical cabinets and will there be enough air circulation,” Hirvonen continues. “In the original architectural plans, there wasn’t a lot of space for the technical cabinets so we had to have discussions about where we could house the equipment. But with good discussions and planning, we were given a great technical space with proper air circulation.”
Another element the integrator had to consider was where the Future Automation CHR motorised ceiling hinges would fit as they are heavy and need to be mounted properly within the ceiling. This required careful planning to ensure it would work.
Surrounded by AV
Following the design process, Digisähkö worked with the homeowners to decide exactly what equipment should be installed throughout the property in order to cater to the family’s wants and requirements. It was decided that a Control4 system would be best for overall control of this property.
In order for everything to work well in the house, it was important to install a good network for everything to run on. “The client has 5G internet, so we needed to install a proper firewall with router functionality,” illustrates Hirvonen. “We chose the powerful Pakedge RK-1 router for that job and the Pakedge MS series switches to distribute the network so that we don’t have any bottlenecks. For the wireless network, we chose Pakedge WA-4200 series access points for indoors and Pakedge WA-2200 for outdoors.”
“Luckily we were able to be part of the design and development process so we could be involved in system integration and the spaces required for the installation.”
While a strong network is crucial, it is also very important to have remote access in order to keep it updated and have the ability to fix any issues fast. He adds: “OvrC remote management is an excellent tool for network management that Pakedge uses, especially in this day and age where network updates and patches are essential and crucial for good security. OvrC enables us to quickly and efficiently maintain and update our client’s network and other systems.”
Home entertainment was very important in this project, with two home cinema set ups and audio throughout the house indoors and outdoors. Consisting of many different spaces, Digisähkö had to ensure the multiroom audio would play consistently without delays throughout the different areas of the home.
“We used Sonance Visual Performance speakers for the interior of the house, outdoor balcony and the ‘summer kitchen’, with custom acoustic backboxes for the sound,” demonstrates Hirvonen. “The patio area features Triad’s Garden Array speakers in a 2.1 set up, while the spa area has speakers from Sonance Extreme and Mariner series. The speaker placements and models were decided depending on what space we had available in the ceilings of the rooms after the suspended ceilings.
“Triad amplifiers were chosen for their sound quality and for their energy efficiency (Class D with ICEPower technology) and they run cool to avoid excess heat dissipation.”
A fan of movies, Digisähkö built two home cinemas – one dedicated room and the other in the living room for a high-performance relaxed area to watch various TV programmes.
The dedicated cinema room is located in the basement lounge area, featuring a 7.2 speaker set up using Triad In-Ceiling Silver and Bronze speakers as well as the Triad Gold In-Room Subwoofers. Driving the front in-ceiling speakers, the integrators installed a Marantz SR-8012 AV receiver and Triad 2-channel amplifiers in mono mode. Another Marantz SR-8012 AVR was used to drive the surround speakers. The subwoofers were both driven by their own separate amplifiers from Triad.
A DreamVision EOS 2 projector was chosen for the dedicated cinema room for its outstanding picture quality and was paired with an Elite Screens acoustically transparent 108” tab-tension electric screen, which drops down from within the ceiling when in use. A Nvidia Shield TV with AirPlay is used for content such as access to Netflix. Everything in this room is controlled via a Control4 Neeo remote.
The second home cinema system is installed in the main living room area, consisting of a 2.2 sound system using Triad In-Wall Silver speakers and Triad In-Ceiling Bronze subwoofers. This time, a Denon AVC-X4700H AVR and Triad 2-channel amplifiers in mono mode were used to drive the front speakers while another Denon AVC-X4700H was used to drive the surrounds. The Triad In-Ceiling Bronze subwoofers were driven by their own separate Triad amplifiers.
A TV was chosen for this space to make it a more relaxed area for watching content. Digisähkö installed a Samsung 85” TV for its excellent bright light performance. Again, a Nvidia Shield TV was used with an AirPlay addon to access Netflix and other media content. A Control4 Neeo remote is also used to control everything in this space.
Continuing with AV throughout the home, the master bedroom consists of its own sound system and TV set up, as Hirvonen states: “The master bedroom has a smaller set up, with 3.0 sound. A 65” TV from Sony is also installed but is hidden in the ceiling when not in use using a Future Automation motorised ceiling hinge. The TV can be hidden when not in use and allows the client to enjoy the view of the Gulf of Finland.
“When the homeowner just wants to listen to music, the room has two in-ceiling speakers from Sonance’s Visual Performance series. But when the TV turns on, the soundstage is transformed thanks to Sony’s acoustic surface audio in the TV. The sound is driven from a Denon AVC-X4700H AVR to the speakers, with the Sony TV acting as the centre speaker and the Sonance Visual Performance speakers as left and right. Everything is again controlled with a Control4 Neeo remote.”
“OvrC enables us to quickly and efficiently maintain and update our client’s network and other systems.”
Smaller again, the downstairs bedrooms feature 55” TVs from Sony and are also mounted inside the ceiling using Future Automation motorised hinges.
The property also features a security system to keep the house and family safe. “We chose security cameras from Luma Surveillance for their excellent reliability and picture quality,” explains Hirvonen. “They also work really well with a Control4 system.”
Unique
Every high-end luxury home usually has something fairly unique installed that isn’t part of the normal list of requirements. In this case, the client wanted wireless microphones throughout the property for parties.
“We installed a wireless microphone set up from Lectrosonics that can be used throughout the house and patio area for parties and special events,” says Hirvonen. “The microphone antennas are hidden out of sight.”
Aside from AV or technology, the homeowner also had a spiral wine cellar installed from Spiral Cellars which was a unique feature.
Control
As a whole-home integration, a Control4 system was installed for full control of all the main functions throughout the home, including lights, HVAC, sound and video. The system was programmed to be easy and simple to use for the entire family. “If something can be operated via one button, it is always better to use that approach than have eight buttons, for example,” Hirvonen explains.
The system is programmed to have the same functionality throughout for the homeowner, his family and any guests that visit. However, some of the more critical functions are hidden behind pin codes for extra protection. “We have also put a ‘cleaning mode’ on the KNX buttons throughout the house that operate lights and curtains and also the AV throughout the house to reset everything back to its normal state,” Hirvonen clarifies. “This feature also doubles as a ‘child lock’ so that if there are friends visiting with children who are running around the house, the homeowner can lock the buttons so that nothing is actioned as children of a certain age usually like to press buttons out of curiosity.”
“If something can be operated via one button, it is always better to use that approach than have eight buttons for example.”
Digisähkö has full access to the system via the OvrC Remote Management platform to ensure they are able to maintain and fix the systems should any issues arise.
“The clients receive messages via email if anything within the home automation or any of the AV equipment requires any maintenance, for example the HVAC needs a filter change,” Hirvonen clarifies. “We also have active power control via Pakedge and WattBox for AV components so if they don’t respond from the network, we can reboot the devices automatically or remotely.”
End result
Following the project’s completion, the homeowners have commented that the home technology and automation installed has made their lives easier and helps to maintain their home. “Everything can be controlled remotely too, if the customer wants to,” Hirvonen points out. “An especially important feature of the remote control is the simulated presence/occupancy in the house, so that even if the house is empty, it looks like people are at home thanks to the Control4 Mockupancy feature.”
Digisähkö has a maintenance package with the clients that involves them doing remote and on-site system updates and maintenance usually two to four times a year, unless there are critical updates for AV and network devices that can be updated immediately remotely.
It is also expected that additions will be made to parts of the system as the homeowner discovers more AV and technology that he wants for his home.
So far, the project including all of the electric works cost over €500,000.
Tech Spec
Control4 DS2 Doorstation
Control4 DS2 Mini Doorstation
Control4 EA-3 Entertainment & Automation Controller
Control4 EA-5 Entertainment & Automation Controllers
Control4 Neeo Remote Controls
Control4 T4 In-Wall 10” Touchscreens
Control4 V2 IO Extenders
Denon 9.2 Channel 200W 8K AV Amplifiers with HEOS Built-In
DreamVision EOS 2 Projector
Ekinex 20Venti KNX Keypads
Elite Screens Saker Tab-Tension 108” Electric Projection Screen
Future Automation CHR6 Motorised Ceiling TV Lifts
KNX System
Lectrosonics ASPEN 812 DSP Matrix Preamp
Luma Cameras with NVR
Marantz SR-8012 AV Receivers
Monitor Audio IMS-4 Music Streamers
Nvidia Shield TV Pros
OvrC Remote Management
Pakedge MS-2400 Series Switches
Pakedge PE-08i Remote Power Management Units
Pakedge RK-1 Router
Pakedge WA-2200-0-1 Access Point
Pakedge WA-4200 Access Points
Saas Instruments Oy Lighting
Samsung 85” 8K QN800A Smart TV
Schneider Electric Components for KNX System
Sonance Mariner 64 Outdoor Speakers
Sonance VP62 In-Wall Speakers
Sonance VP66 In-Wall Speakers
Sonance VP66R In-Ceiling Speakers
Sonance VP66R SST/SUR Speakers
Sonance VPXT6 In-Ceiling Speakers
Sony 55” KD-55X85J Smart TVs
Sony 65” KD-65X85J Smart TV
Triad 1-Zone High-Power Amplifier
Triad 8-Zone Power Amplifiers
Triad 16-Source, 16-Zone Audio Matrix Switch
Triad Garden Array Satellite Speakers
Triad Garden Array Subwoofer
Triad In-Ceiling Bronze/8 LCR Speakers
Triad In-Ceiling Bronze/10 Subwoofers
Triad In-Ceiling Rotating Silver Satellite Speakers
Triad In-Room Gold Subwoofers
Triad In-Wall Silver/4 MiniMonitor Speakers
Triad RackAmp 700 Amplifiers
Vu+ SOLO 4K Set Top Box