Smart home

See our award-winning work integrating smart systems and entertainment in this spectacular Harbour-side home

Knockdown-rebuild projects provide homeowners with the opportunity to create a home that is perfectly tailored to their individual needs, and for many, this includes state-of-the-art home automation. Such was the case in this stunning new home built in the soughtafter Sydney suburb of Vaucluse.

Following the demolition of the previous residence, a large new executive home was built on the site, a sloping block of more than 1000 sqm. The newly-built home takes in views across picturesque Hermit Bay to Sydney Harbour beyond – and it is an excellent example of a modern, fully automated home.

In fact, the project is so impressive it has recently been awarded the CE Pro 2019 GOLD Award for Best Integrated Home over $150k for the Asia Pacific Region.

The home automation was managed and designed by Len Wallis Audio’s Senior Custom Sales Consultant, Jono Dorset. This was an extensive, whole-of-house smart home project encompassing multiple audio and video entertainment zones both inside and out, also a dedicated Dolby Atmos Cinema, dedicated night-club-grade sound system and a dance zone. Another feature of the fully-automated home is a sophisticated security, CCTV and intercom system with biometric entry and remote access capability. There is also integrated climate control, lighting and automated blinds, remote pool control and solar power management systems.

The project, which spanned four years from inception to completion, was

not without challenges. One was cable management. There was over 10km of signal cabling, and compliance with both CEDIA and local standards was a constant focus. However, the Len Wallis Audio team were able to overcome them all, drawing on their expertise and extensive experience to find the perfect solutions.

“The main feature of the home would be the Savant Scenes,” says Jono. “These scenes are user-customisable through the Savant App. It gives the client the power to create customised control scenes as desired. The scenes can be activated from the control App, touch panels, smart remotes or the local lighting keypads for optimum integration. There are over 40 scenes and 50 buttons around the home. This particular client is tech-savvy and loves this functionality.”

As an example of the capability of this, a ‘Show Home’ scene has been enabled. The simple press of a light switch by the front door brings the home to life, simultaneously switching 400 lighting circuits to preset dimmed level whilst 12 TVs turn on to an ambient screen saver. Elsewhere a preset music playlist begins to play in 10 of the audio zones at pre-defined volume levels. Meanwhile blinds are raised and air-conditioning is activated in key living zones.

For ultimate ease of use, the home is completely monitored and managed remotely with a fully protected and filtered power management package. Various notification settings have been enabled to alert stakeholders of any network or power anomalies to allow for pre-emptive service intervention.

Future technologies have also been considered, with a comprehensive fibreoptic backbone. This has been specified to cater for the expansion of video or network bandwidth as needed.

“Every audio zone has been calibrated and volume-limited,” adds Jono. “This minimises risk to speakers from overdriving whilst ensuring the best possible audio reproduction.”

This fully-integrated smart home really does represent the cutting edge of technology, explains Jono.

“The Savant automation platform has over-riding control of almost every electronic system in this expansive home. This includes audio-visual, lighting, shades, louvres, irrigation, fireplaces, motorised windows, access control, VOIP phone, CCTV, security, HVAC, power management, pool/spa and solar. Each of these interacts with the others and triggers various automated scenes. Whilst the system itself is complex, it is specifically designed to make living in the home simple and effortless.

“In regards to audio-visual, there are 12 video zones utilising the latest 4K video over IP solution. Each display is capable of the finest picture quality and also video tiling. There are 25 tailored audio zones incorporating 61 loudspeakers, 11 subwoofers and over 30 kilowatts of amplification.

“A fully calibrated Bowers & Wilkins Dolby Atmos 7.2.4 Theatre is featured, as is a Martin Audio Nightclub sound system. The landscaped outdoor areas and pool zone also feature extensive audio capabilities. Importantly, the entire home system is able to be controlled reliably from one app.”

During the four-year evolution of this Savant control-centric project, frequent re-assessment and fine-tuning of the

“Importantly, the entire home system is able to be controlled reliably from one app.”

design was necessary to stay abreast of the latest technologies. This necessitated Len Wallis Audio working closely with top Sydney architectural firm KA Design Studio, and the team took great pains to get every last detail right so that nothing would detract from the strong architectural design elements.

Says Jono, “All local equipment was discreetly specified into its space while the majority of the system is centralised within two equipment racks located in the cellar. These are displayed behind back-lit fridge doors, mirroring the multi-fridge layout. The result is a showpiece that remains serviceable and one in which heat displacement was carefully considered.

“The client is a fan of dance music and selected premium full-range performance in many of the audio zones,” he adds. “This resulted in 11 subwoofers being utilised. We specified models from six manufacturers to tailor our bass into each space —— under beds, in-ground, inside cabinetry, etc. Also, a night-club sound system was designed for the garage.”

As to the house itself, it was designed to make specific connections with Sydney Harbour’s iconic landscape. The orientation and configuration of the house offers a series of viewing points that link the domestic realm to the environment outside, while subtle level changes reveal new aspects of the harbour landscape and delineate the space within the home.

The design is formally geometric but is punctured by courtyards and breaks that offer unexpected vistas. Stripped of enclosing walls, living spaces orient outward, diffusing thresholds through a series of operable glazed doors.

As with all successful projects, the end result is a collaborative effort and in this instance, Len Wallis Audio would not only like to extend its thanks to KA Design Studio and also to Horizon Building and Main Power Electrics.

More information: Len Wallis Audio lenwallisaudio.com