2022 KNX UK Awards Project Finalist – Mosaic Englefield Road
How does this Project demonstrate the diversity of KNX?
What started out as a ‘standard system’ quickly turned into one of the most complex and monitored residential properties Mosaic has completed yet. Originally a project intended to be completed and sold on the developer fell in love with the project and decided to develop it into their own home. As KNX had been selected at the beginning we were able to adapt and develop the installation from a basic system for any buyer to a custom master piece for the developer. The developer is a fan of automation and has KNX in all his residential and commercial projects meaning this project grow over years finally completing in 2021.
How does this Project demonstrate a synergistic approach to building use?
Anything and everything that was installed that could be automated is. From the usual lighting, heating, cooling, fresh air through, blinds to the sauna, gas fire, CO2 levels the house reacts to its occupants, the time of day, external and internal environments making it the ultimate comfort living. Being on KNX all the systems react together harmoniously and the extreme about thought and logic put into the backend of the project is quickly forgotten when experiencing the seamless ease of living in the property.
How does KNX add value and ease of use for building owners/occupiers
When waking up the house reacts to a mixture of expected sun rise and actual sun light, common area blinds open to allow natural light, while bedrooms and bathrooms wait for the occupier to adjust them at their own pace. Heating and cooling keep the house at the perfect temperature, a mix of wet underfloor heating, electric underfloor, warm walls and fan coil units interface seamlessly, not forgetting the over-ride functions such as “bathroom warm feet mode” “work out mode” “Under floor disable” “heat wave mode”. Making sure the client also has the freedom to customise the HVAC when needed. As well as a master reset which brings all rooms back to a set-point, perfect after a party or having guests over for a few days. PIRs bring bathrooms alive, setting, lighting, heating MVHR into boost, with towel rails on timers with a local 1hr boost button. CO2 is monitored in majority of rooms, reacting with the MVHR and extract fans to ensure comfort. With an additional alarm if CO2 is ever at a high level, giving extra reassurance especially in the nursery. Where gas fires and roof lights are installed they also react with the CO2 levels and of course temperature, time of day and external weather. A record of the CO2 levels in the road facing windows helped with the clients case to reduce speed on the road in-front of their house. A number of automated warning emails make sure the maintenance team is called before the occupier is even aware there is an issue, including, failure to heat, low pressure, over temp, as well as monitoring all breakers incase of any tripping. As well as a full AV system with key functions displayed within the KNX.
Why use KNX for this project?
We initially installed KNX as the property was going to be sold on. We knew we could set up a simple system for the developer to sell, with the benefit of the buyer being able to keep it as is or customise it to their needs. The design brought all the elements together to be sold as a smart home but simple enough not to put off a non-tech buyer. The decision to use KNX really paid off when the developer decided to use it for themselves. We were able to customise everything to their specific taste, but not having to re-wire or change any of the infrastructure.
What makes this project award worthy?
This project takes KNX engineering to the next level. Every request by the client was discussed in detail for benefits and possible clashes/concerns for how it would work when implemented. some functions were implemented, some altered to avoid cross over with other functions, and others disregarded. It shows the real flexibility with things like the CO2 sensing and sauna control being added in after the initial “completion” of the project as the client developed the property to met their exact requirements.
