How smart home automation is being embraced by architects and designers

Architecture has reinvented itself many times over the course of human history. During the Egyptian era, architects were highly regarded and considered positions of significant influence and respect. Innovation was at its core, hence the development of monumental stone structures like the pyramids and temples.

Fast forward 3,000 years and today we’re witnessing state-of-the-art builds including skyscrapers that defy gravity as well as modern ‘grand design’ homes with sustainable materials, innovative structural systems, high energy efficiency, space saving solutions and so on.

But what about smart home automation (SHA) and how has this technology shaped how we live our lives, what role do architects play in educating the home owner, investor or builder and what does the future look like when you also consider artificial intelligence (AI)?

What is smart home automation?

SHA embraces heating and cooling/climate control, lighting, intercom, CCTV and security, home theatre, outdoor entertainment, blind and curtain control, assistive devices (designed to help people living with disabilities perform everyday tasks more easily as well as independently) and more.

Around the world, this technology has been rapidly evolving and infiltrated the homes of many, largely due to the lowering costs and affordability associated with this integration.

In addition, large tech companies like Amazon, Apple and Google have fast-tracked this implementation with consumer-grade platforms or devices like Google Home, Amazon Echo Alexa and Siri as well as Control4.

Full system integration

Control4 is a smart home automation system that connects numerous devices and systems within a home. It offers the home owner seamless integration, a personalised experience, convenience and control, aligned with the occupants’ daily schedule, habits, preferences and more.

This high-class system appears to have dominated and taken the lead in the Australian marketplace, with specialist SHA providers and bespoke architects being the driving force behind this integration.

“Smart home automation in Australia has only just hit the tip of the iceberg. The potential of this technology penetrating the everyday home is yet to be witnessed,” Melbourne Vision & Sound founder Alex Papas says.

“Once home owners get a taste of some SHA and discover the practical benefits of this technology, they will be more motivated to invest their monies across the whole home, not just with home security, which is typically the starting point.”

He adds that full integration across one centralised system is what his customers are looking for: “These are much better when compared to stand-alone systems that don’t speak to each other, which can be purchased off the shelf in typical hardware and electronic stores.”

Architects: The instigators and ambassadors of SHA 

The architectural sector is at the forefront of this growing trend, and thanks to a few bespoke companies, the opportunity for home owners to experience SHA in their new home is becoming more a reality. Three leading Melbourne architects were asked the question about the impact SHA is having in the home building sector and what issues and opportunities does this present to the home owner.

Wolveridge Architects associate director Will Smart says that lighting is the starting point and area of the home that most home owners will consider first in relation to implementation of SHA, followed by security, access control then heating and cooling. From there, added convenience is the main catalyst for the technology.

So, when it boils down to the cost or investment of SHA into a home, how far are homeowners or investors willing to go?

Will says: “Although they’re willing to spend money in SHA, it will unfortunately sit at a lower priority against other essential or desired items in the home including the basement or pool.”

Petridis Architects director Myra Shahabi adds that customers investing into SHA are willing to pay more for their new home because it will make life more convenient.”

However, she says that when the initial budget is exceeded, customers tend to prioritise efficiency and making the home more energy efficient, which can involve SHA.

Architects play a crucial role in communicating the benefits around SHA right at the beginning of a new design; thus, having appropriate technical information, costings and imagery available for the customer right from the start, will assist in educating customers when making fundamental decisions about what to prioritise in their home.