Situated in one of the finest areas of Egypt, this new build property blends stunning interior design with home technology. Amy Stoneham finds out more.
With marble walls and floors coupled with integrated lighting and full control over all tech systems, this family home screams high-end luxury. Just 10 minutes from the Great Pyramids of Giza, this newly built property features a full home control system, security, lighting, home entertainment and much more, all integrated into the fabric of the home.
Accommodating a family of four plus staff, this home consists of large open spaces with big windows to fill the areas with natural light. The impeccable interior design is complemented by subtle home automations throughout the property. Integrated lighting highlights features of the décor while providing comfortable, discreet light to each room.
Starting in February 2022 and finishing in January 2024, this brand-new villa took two years to complete, from the design phase, through build and installation, to handover and completion. Responsible for the project was Egyptian integrator, Twin Line Technologies.
The brief was simple, as Ahmed Saad of Twin Line Technologies, states: “The client requested smart lighting, climate control and energy savings, integrated smart locks, security cameras, motion sensors, alarm systems, voice control, home theatre, audio system, blinds, and irrigation systems, all controlled via touchscreens which would be installed in every area of the villa. They also wanted voice control and mobile app control.”
As the villa was a family home, an important part of the brief was that the system had to work seamlessly together, providing high reliability and performance that is easy to use for all family members.
Having worked on a previous villa with this client in 2019, they had experience of living with home technology, which helped to build the brief for their new property. “The client had a clear idea of what they wanted from this project, based on their previous experience in their old villa. But this time, they wanted to add new features such as voice control and a touchscreen that controls all integrated systems in this area.”
The equipment for the villa was selected by the homeowner based on his knowledge and experience of home technology, with advice from the integrator. “With our experience in smart home technology, I provided guidance and recommendations to the client,” says Saad. “This included explaining the capabilities of different devices, their integration possibilities, and the overall benefits they offer. While guiding the decision-making process, I also considered the client’s preferences and any specific devices or brands they may prefer based on their prior knowledge and experience.”
It was discovered during the design phase that the installation of the Igloohome Smart Lock would present challenges, as Saad explains: “Installing the Igloohome Smart Lock on the villa’s door, which was made entirely of marble and steel with a thickness of 25cm, proved to be a complex process. It required re-engineering of mechanical parts and adjustments to electronic connections. Simultaneously, integrating the hardware had to be reconfigured to integrate with the intercom system.”
During the installation process, another unexpected issue presented itself. “Contrary to the initial design, the structural engineer had to increase the height of the living room ceiling,” says Saad. “This in turn affected the height allocated for installing the projector lift. The solution was to make some minor adjustments, which allowed for the successful installation of the projector lift.”
Following recommendations from Twin Line Technologies, they were also able to upgrade the system to include full control of the swimming pool and all Jacuzzis, including motors, valves and lighting to extend the home automation for the family.
Based on a KNX system, the home is fully controllable by the family with the brief fulfilled. “Users can control various devices and systems, such as lighting, heating, security cameras, and entertainment systems from a centralised interface or via voice commands,” states Saad. “This convenience saves time and effort.”
The homeowners have full access to the system but can also allow guest access and limited access to staff for outdoor light control. “Guests must request access to the system from the homeowner, which can be granted for access rights at specific times,” adds Saad.
As this home has a very luxurious appearance, it was important that the technology installed complemented the interior design and décor to give a neat and tidy aesthetic. Twin Line Technologies had to work closely with the interior designer to ensure this was the case.
“We tried our best to ensure that the devices, such as keypads and touchscreens, were aligned with the interior designer’s vision in terms of designs and colours,” says Saad.
After installation, the integrator carried out a full handover to the client. “We conducted hands-on training sessions to allow users to interact with the systems and provide specific training on each user interface,” explains Saad. “We provided easy-to-use tutorials and guides tailored to help the family learn how to use the systems. Twin Line provides easy access to customer support for assistance and troubleshooting if it’s needed.”
As well as teaching the family how to use the systems, handover also allows the integrator to get an idea of any upgrades they might want to add to the home later. “The initial expectations have been met and the original brief has been fulfilled to the client’s satisfaction,” says Saad. “By conducting an evaluation, it becomes possible to gauge if the initial expectations and the objectives outlined in the original brief have been successfully met. This process also highlights any further optimisations or additional features that could enhance the client’s experience.”
In terms of post-installation support, Twin Line Technologies provide technical maintenance and support, as Saad explains: “This includes regular maintenance checks, troubleshooting any issues that arise, and ensuring that the systems are functioning optimally over time.”
Kit List
ABB 5.1 Flush-Mounted Installation Boxes
ABB 8 Channel 10A Switch Actuator
ABB 12 Channel 10A Switch Actuators
ABB Binary Input 2-Fold 230V
ABB Binary Input 8-Fold 230V
ABB Busch-Control Touch
ABB Busch-Voice Control
ABB DC Power Supply 24Volt 2.5A
ABB IP Touch Panel 7-in
ABB IP Touch Panel 10-in
ABB LED-Dim Actuators
ABB Line Couplers
ABB Power Supplies 640mA
ABB RoomTouch Panels 5-in, Black & White Units
ABB Surface Mounted Boxes
ABB Switch/Shutter Act 16-Fold 10A
ABB Switch/Shutter Act 24-Fold 10A
ABB Two Binary Input 2 Module Rockers / Faceplates
Belden KNX Multi-Pair Cables
Bose 791 In-Ceiling Speakers
Bose Free Space 51 Outdoor Speakers
Bose Lifestyle 650 Home Entertainment System
Bose Lifestyle 650/600 Table Stand
Bose Omni Jewel Floor Stand
CISCO Managed Switch 24-Port GE, PoE 4x10G SFP+
D-Link 25 Port PoE Switch
Draper Scissor Projector Lift
eKinex Touch 8 Button with Touchscreen
Epson EB-L630U 6,200 Lumens Laser Projector
HDL Automation 4 Channel IR Emitter with Current Detection
Hikvision 6MP Dome Cameras
Hikvision 6MP Outdoor Cameras
Hikvision Indoor Station Touch Screens
Hikvision NVR 32 Independent Network Interfaces
Hikvision Outdoor Villa Door Stations
Hypertech Technology 22U Floor Standing Rack
Igloohome Smart Lock
Igloohome Smart Lock+
Interra 16 Channel KNX Combo Switch Actuator
Interra 24 Channel KNX Combo Switch Actuators
Intesis Toshiba VRF Systems to KNX Interface 16 Units
Jablotron 8 Input Module for Magnetic Detectors
Jablotron Ceiling PIR Motion Detectors
Jablotron Combined Smoke and Heat Detectors
Jablotron Control Panel
Jablotron External Sirens
Jablotron Flood Detectors
Jablotron Gas Detector
Jablotron Keypad
Jablotron PIR Motion Detectors
Jablotron Radio Bus Module
Jablotron Wireless Magnetic Detectors
Just Touch 8 Button with Touchscreen
Key Automation Key
KNX Mid-Range Presence Sensor
Legrand Patch Panel Loaded 24 Port Cat 6
Russound 8 Source 8 Zone Controller Amplifiers
Russound KNX over IP Interface
Sonos Connect Wireless Home Audio Pre-Amp Receivers
Sonos Wireless Speakers
Ubiquiti Networks UniFi Access Points
Vega 3x3m Projection Screen
WD Surveillance Hard Drives