How a historic London townhouse was converted into an ultra-modern Smart Home

A historic townhouse in the district of Westminster in central London has been transformed into a comfortable home that meets all the needs of modern families. The fully restored 19th century building is not only an outstanding example of the ongoing development of London’s architectural landscape, but also perfectly demonstrates what can be achieved with sustainable Smart Home technology.

Period charm combined with sophisticated design and the latest technology

During the renovation, the planners were faced with the challenge of preserving key features of the historic building – like the original single-glazed casement windows – while also creating a contemporary home for the future occupants.

A classic and elegant palette of light, warm colours was selected for all the living areas. Decorative details like patterned rugs and floral wallpaper add a touch of homeliness to the sleek finish. The all-white bathroom uses mirrors to further emphasise the fine marble finish on the walls, floor and surfaces. The open-plan kitchen transitions seamlessly into the dining room, where a large wooden table sets the perfect backdrop for socialising with family and friends. In the spa and leisure area, residents and their guests can relax with a massage or put their feet up and enjoy a film in the luxuriously furnished home cinema.

KNX simplifies building management and helps save energy

The renovation team was keen to ensure that both the fabric of the building and the technology within it would be able to cope with the demands of modern-day life. They wanted the new home to achieve energy savings of at least 60 percent: A goal the architects and planners managed to achieve thanks to Smart Home technology.

Based on the recommendations of system integrators from Mosaic AV Ltd, the renovators opted for a powerful KNX installation designed to simplify and streamline all building management processes. From the lighting and entertainment electronics to the alarm and the irrigation system in the garden, all building technology components are networked in a single KNX system. Smart meters and sensors automate technical processes, ensuring that the building is comfortable, secure and – above all – energy efficient.

Enhanced everyday comfort: Flexible operation on all levels

The system can be intuitively controlled via the Gira G1 installed in the hallways on each floor. Using the touch-screen panel, the residents can access many of their home’s technical applications and configure settings with just a few taps on the display. Camera images from the door intercom system outside the building are also transmitted to the display of the central operating unit. The residents can see who is at the door before they answer, and speak to visitors from any floor of the building.

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are also easy to monitor and control from the central system. The setup is completed with smart switches that make it even easier to control all of the building’s technology. The users can configure the Gira KNX push switches with custom functions and call up these functions manually as and when necessary. With a single press of a button, they can open and close the electronic blinds or switch on the underfloor heating. The dark-brown frames from the Gira Esprit Aluminium design line create eye-catching contrasts on the walls.

KNX standard transforms period property into futureproof home

Opting for the manufacturer-independent global KNX standard allowed the renovators to build a futureproof Smart Home system. If their living situation or needs change at any point, they can easily expand, reprogram and replace components of their networked home technology system as needed – with virtually unlimited functions and connection options.

Encrypted data transfer ensures that all communication between connected devices is secure, protecting the Smart Home against unauthorised external access. Equipped with this forward-thinking technology, this historic property will be futureproof for decades to come.