Residential integrators in the UK and France highlight regional differences and key trends influencing the outdoor living market.
Angus Murray, New Wave AV, UK
I think the market here is healthy. Generally, we’re seeing outdoor AV seamlessly become part of whole home projects, especially new builds. Many plans I see have detailed entertainment areas outside, often combining a lounge and kitchen. It’s clear the clients are investing time and money in these spaces.
We’ve partnered with Corker Landscaping to harness relationships with specialist designers, inviting clients to our experience centre before directing them to 15 local show gardens. We enjoy putting the best of landscaping and audiovisual in front of our clients.
“Outdoor installation used to be an afterthought, but now it’s part of the early design.”
Discreet installation, outdoors as well as indoors, is popular. A few years ago, outdoor speakers were typically located on the rear elevation of the property: now we’re seeing landscape units installed closer to the entertainment space. We refer to technicalities to advise how many speakers are required for a smooth spread of sound. Audio that is unobtrusive to conversation and discreet in storage is a big driver for these systems. Clients want the tech to blend in and there's some brands that offer some great functionality on that, such as James by Sonance’s customised installations. Multizone audio is also becoming desirable in outdoor entertainment spaces.
Outdoor installation used to be an afterthought, but now it’s part of the early design. We ask for landscape designs as early as possible to ensure we've got enough cabling on first fix to get out there and cover those areas. We need to be talking to the client saying: what are the critical areas you want to light? Where do you want music? Do you want outdoor video?
Credit: New Wave AV
Early talks on landscaping mean integrators can coordinate with other trades at the outset. It’s no different from dealing with the main contractor and the interior designer internally. Integrators working on outdoor living projects must be available, responsible and amenable.
Typically outdoor products have a longer five year external graded warranty. What’s being used to control or drive speakers might change, but the actual speaker itself can be enjoyed for a number of years. This lifespan is especially important if the client hasn’t had that type of system before.
There’s an appetite for content, especially as a social experience. After lockdown, people are more used to hosting people at home rather than going out – anything allowing families to come together is becoming increasingly important. Large format screens are expanding in respect of this. We’re also seeing an uptake in solar powered energy across many projects. Most of these audiovisual systems link back to the main house system – therefore if the house is being fed by the solar, outdoor will be part of that. I see venue-style trends like this picking up in residential, not specifically to outdoor but the property’s function itself.
Credit: New Wave AV
Régis Pinna, HENRI Côte d’Azur, France
Homeowners spend most of their time outdoors here in the south of France. Many visitors have seasonal occupancy to enjoy this popular holiday destination, and the general trend is towards CCTV and/or alarm systems in the home. Security is a priority for most of the properties we work on, whether they’re inhabited year-round or only periodically.
"Homeowners spend most of their time outdoors in the south of France.”
There is substantial demand for custom entertainment in the outdoors supported by durable design. We make product choices on a project-by-project basis according to the customer's habits, guided by regular training from manufacturers.
We deploy product ranges designed specifically for outdoor use, particularly in salty environments such as yachts and villas located 200-300m from the sea. For example, adapted products like erosion-resistant enclosures are suitable for coastal environments.
On villa projects, we propose an integrated layout of speakers around swimming pools, on terraces and in pool houses. These are important living areas, doubling up as a social hub for hosting friends and family. Residents are looking to extend indoor comfort and facilities outdoors, such as easy music management wherever they are in the property.
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Having a screen in the pool house is a huge advantage, especially in the summer, for homeowners wanting to enjoy the stunning climate. We’ve noticed requests for giant outdoor TV screens are rare: while trendy, these products are aimed at those with a generous budget and technological know-how.
On private residential projects, it’s important we observe noise levels to respect the neighbourhood. We find out whether the music played will be ambient or festive and then recommend an orientation for products to generate as little noise as possible.
In the same way, owners must comply with certain obligations to broadcast music in public places such as beaches and hotel bars. An acoustician must perform an audit, then fit an acoustic limiter to ensure the authorised level is not exceeded.
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