For every person we know who controls the outdoor lights with voice commands + and the front door via RING (meaning a smart-home device + app)-there are those that want to go home to disconnect from tech- turn on a switch =and have the lights work. No sci-fi control nightmares needed.
More so than an open concept floor plan-vs delineated spaces /functional rooms with walls...how much to connect appliances, security systems, and daily life habits/controls to a cloud based wifi set-up that sacrifices personal privacy for certain kinds of conveniences (theoretically)...is becoming "an issue" with regards to interior design.
With that in mind-we recently attended "The Art of Hiding Technology" panel during DDB's Spring Market 2019---in the Crestron showroom (automated home control systems) which meant of course-physically hiding -backbones of technology ...and a basic how-to on cutting edge setups for 21st century dwellings.
Clearly, most of the interior designers attending did not grow up swiping screens-and were looking for guidance and the possibilities with regards to incorporating technology into the homes of their increasingly plugged in clients...a consumer demographic the upscale Signature Kitchen Suite-a South Korean entity backed by electronics giant LG- dubbed Technicureans.™
Like most interior design projects-big and small-"advance planning, consideration of design philosophy and personalized product selection" a three prong approach= key tenets of good home renovations and new build experiences.
The biggest takeaway we got with regards to this seminar-was to DELEGATE- hire an audio-visual technical specialist (interior technology designer)-and give him or her the responsibilities of designing/installing/servicing an intelligent interior technology design in the home...including light/climate/energy management, remote security systems/alerts, home entertainment, touch screens, intercoms and keypads selections of user interface from a centralized wall mounted, tabletop or command center(s)- to-individual handheld remote controls + smartphones- that respond to touch/voice commands.
And of course-the nuts and bolts-wiring, cable-fiber optics etc----to wall plates.
For now-the top voice command home automation controls belong to the familiar-Google Home, Amazon's Alexa, and Apple's Siri-all cloud based services that might creep some clients out.
Interesting-then-to learn about JOSH AI...a similar service that claims to NOT sell users' information-not even from the accumulative database-anonymously. An adaptive home tech system that syncs with many of the top brands-JOSH AI claims to learn user preferences with its sophisticated artificial intelligence technology "without being intrusive or obnoxious." (Ha -we wonder who wrote that selling point)
Other suggestions:
Design a plan for infrastructure- to hide wires/cables-and adhere to the no clutter mantra.
Have a central location-"a hub" that's scalable for future upgrades-including wired or wireless devices, appliances, control systems
The most requested home automation-is for smart lighting-indoors and outdoors-including on/off and dimmers-via a smart switch on a central panel or wireless,
...and safety/security systems and products.
Also popular-are audio -media-and video "follow me" capabilities-(being able to go from room to room and hear same music streaming for example), visual set-ups with hidden projectors/drop down screens, hiding video-tvs displays on motorized lifts (in bedrooms in particular)-or on the wall-as artwork that rotates-as a video art gallery-or as a well framed mirror (as offered by Reflectel- a sponsor of this session ),
...lastly hidden speakers embedded in walls or 'disguised.'
COSTS:
Entry level systems typically start at $8000 according to Crestron's Michelle Guss.
As an alternative to database collectors-ALMOND Virtual Assistant
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