France’s Henri Integrateur Domotique Creates A Harmonious Whole-House Control System
Bordering Paris, in the Boulogne-Billancourt area, home automation specialists Henri Integrateur Domotique, landed an award-winning custom project.
The client was precise about the placement of the installed technology, as well as what kind of lighting and the level of security he wanted for his home. According to Henri’s Lionel Sherman, everything needed to be aligned right down to the millimeter. Called on by the Bovard family to integrate as many of the latest control technologies as possible, the Vincennes-based firm was charged with creating a systems installation that was not only easy to use, but one that also respected the design elements of the home, which included a strict adherence to the property’s environmental sustainability. The team’s efforts resulted in Henri Integrateur Domotique winning the CEDIA 2008 Best Integrated Home Award in the £100,000 to £250,000 category.
ESTABLISHING A RHYTHM
Completed in 18 months, the Bovard project is a sleek combination of convenience and energy efficiency. Henri designed a whole-house control solution that, while offering personalized access to each member of the five-person family, also thrives on the collective needs of the clients. “The unique nature of the project was based on the concept that it was intended as a global system,” said Lionel Sherman, president of Henri Integrateur Domotique. “The entire house would be charged, enlivened, and run on the rhythm of the home automation system.”
The entire family can be called for lunch from the kitchen via one of five Crestron TPS-2000L wall-mounted touchpanels, which have integrated intercoms. At the same time, the security system can be armed using one of three TPMC-4X handheld wireless touchpanels, or from the TPMC-10 i/O WiFi touchpanel.
A Crestron CEN-IDOC interface created specifically for the Apple iPod allows the iPod experience to be replicated on the touchpanels and enables full two-way control and navigation of the personal music player. Occupants simply plug their iPod into the docking station to instantly share their entire personal music collection throughout the house or on the terrace. A multi-room music
Adjustable lighting environments were also on the agenda, and Henri chose a Lutron HomeWorks lighting control system, which was integrated into the home’s lighting and blinds with settings tailor made for the client. distribution system from Russound also allow each member of the family to listen to their preferred radio stations or playlists stocked on the MPS server.
CONSERVATION FIRST
The running undercurrent of the Bovard installation is its energy conservation, which was placed ahead of recreation or entertainment. An HVAC specialist installed a heating, air conditioning, and ventilation management system and the Henri team developed an interface to control it. The home’s temperature and humidity levels can be displayed and selected using the Crestron touchscreens, while an economy setting switches off lights and lowers the temperature when the home is unoccupied.
THE CINEMATIC SCENE
Taking note of the Bovard family’s passion for music and cinema, the installation team focused on placing convenient media control in a variety of locations in the house. Central to the family’s quality of life is the reception room that transforms into a home cinema on demand. One of the biggest challenges for Henri, the team was able to provide the ultimate in entertainment by integrating a Russound multi-room broadcasting system for each family member. Using one of the Crestron touchpanels, the BenQ video projector can be fired up, the Sonance recessed 5.1 surround speakers turned on, and a Da-Lite projection screen unfurled from the false ceiling that ensures the technology remains hidden, yet readily available.
“The most difficult point to resolve was the placement of the video projector,” Sherman said. The team at Henri had planned on a flush-mounted installation in the faux ceiling. The projector was going to descend via a motorized lift. That idea did not fit in with what the architect, Van Duysen, had in mind, so it was necessary to find another solution.
We built a hatch for access in an opening in the wall that was made of concrete 20 centimeters thick,” Sherman said. The projector is hidden in the wall, always at the ready and never obtrusive in the decor. “The client invested an enormous amount in the decor of his home and was very precise concerning the placement of different pieces of equipment or lighting. They needed to be align right down to the millimeter,” he explained.
There are six
The entire family can be called for lunch from the kitchen via one of five Crestron TPS-2000L wall-mounted touchpanels, which have integrated intercoms. LCD and plasma screens throughout the house receiving satellite transmission from Canalsat and TPS, as well as television from ADSL.
SECURITY AND LIGHTING CONCERNS
Part of Sherman’s brief was to ensure the house was kept secure at all times. Therefore, access to the house is monitored using a Siedle videophone and a discreet surveillance system that uses an Optec miniature infrared camera. It can be accessed both on site and remotely via the Internet, allow the family to check on the house online from anywhere in the world. Also integrated into the security system is a Honeywell electronic detection system that is made
The Bovards’ reception room transforms into a home cinema on demand. Using one of the Crestron touchpanels, the BenQ video projector can be fired up, the Sonance recessed 5.1 surround speakers turned on, and a Da-Lite projection screen unfurled from the false ceiling that ensures the technology remains hidden yet readily available. up of several motion detectors discreetly dispersed throughout several zones on the premises. A Lutron HomeWorks lighting control system also was integrated into the home’s lighting and blinds with settings tailored to the client’s preferences.
FUTURE-PROOFING
New construction was required to allow future integration adjustments and upgrades of the installed equipment. On the suggestion of the Van Duysen architects, the gear was installed in the basement to avoid disrupting the home’s decor. Two underground, concrete levels were dug and raised on the property as part of the retro-fit project. For the discreet placement of support cables, channels were created through the floors and walls. The cables were then recessed and integrated in casings in the shields and walls. To get around support beans, Henri laid cable tracks vertically and horizontally to accomplish connectivity.
“There were some great moments for the Henri team who worked on this project,” Sherman said. “To be able to create a system for the individual members of this family was very satisfying.”
Joy Zaccaria is a freelance writer in Brooklyn, New York.
