With its open plan living and clean architectural detail, the Huf Haus is the quintessential modern property. And, with its German design and precision engineering, the Huf Haus is also a concept which demands some pretty heavyweight partners! Enter, leading systems integrator Marquee Home and a Crestron Total Home Technology package designed to manage, integrate, and control all the systems and technologies that make this Huf Haus a truly hi-tech home!
Iconic Design
Instantly recognisable and unashamedly minimal, the Huf Haus is fast becoming an architectural icon. Its distinctive timber frame and post and beam construction afford the Huf Haus an unrivalled sense of internal space, negating as they do the need for load bearing and ultimately dividing walls. And, this is one Huf Haus that has certainly been beautifully engineered throughout, right down to its enviable technical specification.As an ardent AV enthusiast, the homeowner knew what he wanted from his home electronics; functional complexities aside, the technology was to be intuitive and simple to use when it came to his family and guests. The result is a system which is a perfect demonstration of how Crestron can add value to a modern lifestyle, and one that is truly worthy of its place in the final of the recent Crestron Integration Awards.
Huf Haus Ergonomics
With a comprehensive brief, a leafy Berkshire plot and a German jigsaw puzzle due for construction; Marquee Home set about an extensive design and integration process in two different countries, employing detailed documentation. With the design to be signed-off months prior final construction, the overall flexibility afforded by the Crestron system gave the homeowner a chance to reserve some operational decisions, whilst still allowing the construction process to proceed. With the slab ducted as directed and the Huf Haus on British soil, Marquee Home awaited the two week construction period with baited breath! When complete, the first fix cabling process found all the ducts, risers and cable ways in place, as detailed, which led to a problem free second fix and successful commissioning of the system.
And, what an impressive system this is. Yes, this stunning Huf Haus has been technologically optimised with an exhaustive list of hi-tech components including: an eight zone Crestron audio distribution system; eight zone HD video distribution system; a bespoke hi-end Meridian home theatre; KNX BMS system; wired & wireless networking with PABX; full exterior lighting, access control and CCTV streamed to wireless tablets located throughout the property; and HD audio visual distribution throughout with CD/DVD server and multiple HD satellite boxes – all seamlessly integrated and readily accessible thanks to Crestron’s award-winning Total Home Technology solution!
Total Home Technology from Crestron streamlines and simplifies all the technology in the Huf Haus, offering its occupants the ultimate lifestyle of comfort and convenience. Whether it be from the wall-mounted TPS-4Ls or the tabletop TPMC-8T; total control of all the home automation elements is at their fingertips, wherever they are.
The unique flexibility of the Crestron product offering is effectively demonstrated by the in-wall TPMC-8X in the home cinema room, one of three TPMC-8Xs located in the property. This stylish wi-fi touchpanel delivers a 2-way wireless control solution with native capabilities for browsing the Internet and streaming multimedia, allowing Marquee Home to relay gate-entry video wirelessly to occupants in the room upon a visitor’s arrival. This, plus its inherent ability to interface with many of the Huf Haus’ other third party solutions such as the KNX BMS, Meridian AV system, Loewe LCDs, Axis, Apple and Screen Research (x-mask) projection screen, to name but a few, adds to the totality of the Crestron control solution.Another key requirement from the system was that it offered the flexibility to be upgraded and expanded as and when appropriate, something which has been achieved with the combination of Crestron control cabling, custom interfaces and bespoke programming.
A Crestron 2-Series Control System is the brains behind the system, enabling every audio, video, and environmental element of the property to be integrated and accessible. Unmatched for power, performance and scalability, the AV2 boasts six built-in COM ports, eight IR/Serial ports, eight I/O Versiports, eight isolated relays. A C2ENET1 Ethernet Expansion Card provides the essential interface for control of the property’s numerous devices including video projectors, plasma displays, switchers, DVD players, screens and much more. A CNX-BIPAD8 high performance 24 x 8 stereo audio switcher and preamplifier provides maximum flexibility for audio distribution through the use of Crestron's bidirectional CAT5 balanced technology.
A C2N-TFM professional FM radio tuner has also been used in conjunction with the 2-series control system, delivering the Huf Haus’ occupants with stereophile performance and an array of ways to locate and select their favourite station or program, with enhancements included to allow them to take full advantage of FM's many hidden features. With such an impressive amount of technology in situ, this is one architectural gem that is worthy of its iconic status. And, if this has whet your appetite for a pre-fabricated, bespoke home, then remember that Crestron puts the kit in the kit house!