Annual Homes & Design Issue

The Truth About Tech: Home Automation

Trends

Imagine walking through your front door, which has unlocked itself, into your family room, where lights turn on automatically and your favorite music starts playing. While a few years ago this would have sounded like the beginning of a sci-fi novel, advances in technology have made all of these tasks – and more – possible with the press of a button. Homebuilders will obviously want to incorporate these enhanced technologies into their new residences, so here, we’ve asked local experts to chime in with their top tech tips.

Artech Design Group | Rick Thompson

As technology continues to evolve, we have become comfortable with utilizing it in our homes for energy management systems, smart appliances, security systems, lawn irrigation, and personal health-related monitoring. It is convenient and in some cases necessary to support our lifestyles. Looking forward, I see the technology related to 3D modeling and printing as a great tool for designing more efficient homes. By using 3D modeling, we can work through multiple designs for aesthetics and efficiencies, and through the 3D printing process, we can develop better cost control options with a hands-on approach. These are amazing tools that we will be using to address the design and cost of housing in the future.

Cuthbertson Homes | Rob Cuthbertson

If you are considering incorporating enhanced technology in a new build, one of the most beneficial things you can do as a homeowner is to retain a qualified architect and design consultant to work with at the onset of the project. Considering your choices with an expert will give you access to their knowledge and help you sort through the many new technologies available – from innovative building materials, to improved construction techniques, to smart home technology, to more efficient design plans. In my experience as a builder, clients tend to have a more satisfying home-building experience when they perform due diligence and fully engage in the design process at the beginning of the project. In selecting design professionals, a homeowner should consider their building philosophy and values, level of experience in the industry, and methodology for staying up-to-date on industry research and development.

RP Homes | Gabe Thomas

With so many enhanced technology options available, it can be overwhelming. We recommend a homebuyer take time on the front end to envision how they are going to live and use technology in their home. We can then use this information to provide Cat5e line drops in their home. Cat5e has the capability of carrying PoE, which allows for smart devices with that capability to receive power and data through one cable, creating a “wireless” feel. Currently, we provide a standard of three Cat5e drops per home: one in the great room, one in the primary bedroom, and one in the space that lends itself as an office. Homebuyers have the option to add these drops to any space, as well as add a central hub in their home, pre-wired for gig speeds. If this is carefully planned out with the builder on the front end, adding or modifying technology after the homeowner has settled in becomes much easier.

GenTech Construction, LLC | Duane Ferrell

There are many technological advantages that are beneficial for home building today. Science and technology have brought about innovative materials such as composite products, self-healing concrete, spray foam insulation, and pollution-absorbing bricks that provide a home with cleaner air, durability, and sustainability. What I get excited about is smart home technology and what is afforded to the consumer today, specifically, personalized and unified smart home systems to automate and control connected devices including lighting and shade controls, audio, video, climate control, and security. These devices work in tandem with the quality of building materials to create a truly intelligent smart home experience that makes life more convenient, safe, and enjoyable.

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