Pala
Winner 2024 CEDIA APAC Awards
Best Integrated Home Level III
Full Design
Security
Lighting
Surveillance
Electrical
Access Control
Full Design
Network & WiFi
Automation
A solid forever home of concrete, steel and glass
Designed to capture water views, northerly sun and north-easterly breezes. A house for a Gold Coast lifestyle. A large structure including an underground Basement, three suspended post tensioned concrete slabs and vertical elements including precast panels, this Project pushes the boundaries with residential design and construction.
Features
- Integration Control Solutions
- Lighting Control Systems
- Distributed Video & Audio Systems
- Wireless Networks
- Security
- Alarms Systems
- CCTV Camera Systems
- Intercom & Door Entry Systems
- Access Control System
Featured technology
Pala is automated in every sense of the word…
Lighting Control
A key part to any Smart Home is lighting. Lighting in my opinion can ‘make or break’ a project. For me it is an extension of the architect & client’s vision towards their dream home. Before we were engaged, hundreds of hours had been poured into this vision by both the client and architect, therefore we owe it to them to design and execute a lighting system that not only highlights their vision, but enhances it far beyond their expectations.
The Dynalite architecture provided us with the platform to provide this for our clients. We were able to piece together and control all aspects of the home including,
– Lighting
– Shade Control
– Ceiling Fans
– Heated floors
– Air Conditioning
– Motorised windows & Louvers
– Fire pits & Fireplaces
– Water Features and Pool pumps
The integration of the above items into Dynalite, allowed us to streamline this functionality into RTI and provide a single user interface which is intuitive and reliable to use, no matter what age or how tech savvy the end user is.
The end result is nothing short of amazing. This project is a one-off custom home with a complete turn-key solution, showcased here by the lighting.
Electrical
We were engaged to design the complete 100A 3Phase electrical solution, which spanned across the 4-level home. 35mm XLPE mains were then cabled to the basement Chassis DB for a calculated distribution throughout the home. With sub boards on each floor, we were able to distribute all power and lighting circuits/loads across all phases with minimal voltage drop caused by long cable runs.
This installation was executed exclusively by our company (with the exception of the solar and air conditioning systems). As a consequence, the electrical system of the house was designed and cabled from the ground up. The knowledge and flexibility that we possess enabled us to include all the relevant controls, such as Lighting, Blinds, Curtains, Fans, Fireplaces, irrigation and pool pumps.
Distributed Audio
All audio switching and volume control is primarily managed by the Triads 16×16 Digital Audio matrix. The matrix switcher accepts all inputs from TVs and sources and controls the switching and volume control for the outputs. Output audio is then passed to the powered amplifiers and speakers. The matrix has a 16-band equaliser and input gain control to successfully adjust all inputs/outputs to volume matched audio.
Using BluStream audio over CAT extenders, audio is first extracted directly from each TV and returned to the audio matrix. A single device with all audio inputs is the perfect building block for multi-room audio output. As a result, audio-only zones can follow adjacent video zones, regardless of whether a video device is present. As an example, Foxtel is accessible through the kitchen audio zone and users can change channels according to their preferences through the GUI.
This system allows for seamless integration between audio zones and eliminates delays between them. For instance, the Living, Kitchen, and Terrace areas can all be set to the same source, allowing the client to move between them without experiencing any noticeable audio delay. The volume in each zone can be controlled individually, or a master volume control will control all zones simultaneously.
Distributed Video
A BluStream 8×8 HDMI HDBaseT Switcher handles the video of five inputs and five outputs. Inputs 1 & 2 are Foxtel Cable TV, inputs 3 & 4 are Apple TV 4K, input 5 is CCTV and inputs 6-8 are free for future expansion. All media outputs pass their video signals direct to HDBaseT Receivers at each TV location.
Network
The current lifestyle places a high emphasis on wireless connections, and many of the systems run only on Wi-Fi. It was very challenging to obtain strong Wi-Fi signals in this home, as the primary construction of the home consisted of steel and a lot of concrete & glass. We chose the Araknis architecture because it provided robust performance and the best value for money. Its central management via OVRC integration helped simplify the process of control, programming, and troubleshooting, as it is both powerful and easy to use, either locally or remotely.
HVAC Control
Queensland, especially the Gold Coast can have some warm months and some cooler months, therefore when you have a home that faces due North with floor to ceiling glass, temperature control is a must. From the initial design brief, we knew that the best way forward to provide a Cool Master solution to overlay the Daikin HVAC system and provide a stylish, yet reliable way to operate 15 zones of heating & cooling. The Cool Master solution talks via a RS485 bus that directly to the RTI system, we then serve up a custom GUI on the tablet/phone to provide a user friendly, reliable way to control the home.
Security Alarm
Being a family home with small children, and break-ins on the increase in the local area, security was paramount to the clients. Our original brief touched on security/access many times, therefore when designing the system, we were able to provide layers of security via, cameras, access doors, door reeds, sensors etc. These layers when pieced together provide a very secure home where our clients can feel safe and monitor at all times.
The security system consisted of the below:
– PIR Sensors in all entry/exit locations/rooms
– Door/Window reeds on bedrooms
– Touchscreen Keypads (Garage, Entry, Master Bed)
– Smoke Alarm Input to integrate into security system
– Access Control for the Front Door, Front Gate, Lift, Basement Door
– Motor Control for the Garage Roller Door and driveway gate motor
– Wireless Modules with keychain remotes for Arm/Disarm/Panic/Access Control
– Network Module for Smart Phone App Control while away from the home.
RTI Control System
All the systems are tied together by the RTI Automation Control System. An RTI XP-8v processor spreads the load of this system and is used as the primary control method by clients. Control is offered for lighting, blinds, curtains, fans, fireplaces, security, doors, HVAC and audio-visual systems.
Motorised Louvers for air circulation
Proper air circulation is an essential factor that is sometimes disregarded. It not only keeps your home smelling fresh, but it also helps to regulate temperature, remove contaminants, and prevent mould. Using this information, we have setup schedules to trigger both ‘open’ and ‘close’ scenes each day to provide the perfect flow of air circulation throughout the home. This circulation helps maintain an even distribution of heat or cool air throughout the home, ensuring a comfortable environment year-round.
Features
- Integration Control Solutions
- Lighting Control Systems
- Distributed Video & Audio Systems
- Wireless Networks
- Security
- Alarms Systems
- CCTV Camera Systems
- Intercom & Door Entry Systems
- Access Control System
Attention to Detail
Project Brief
Our clients for this project were also the primary builder for the development. To add to this, it was also going to be their family home and forever home. This set the bar very high for attention to detail and planning from the first consultation.
The clients have 2 young boys and we established very early on, that security/networks and entertaining was paramount when designing a solution to best suit their lifestyle.
From the initial set out, our clients outlined that they are not ‘tech savy’ and therefore ensuring the system can be operated easily and reliably was a large part of our brief. Like most people, they are afraid of technology and if it is too complicated, they simply won’t use it. This is a common hurdle when taking on new clients in this space, however a challenge we love to take on. Communication is key when clearly explaining the benefits of automation and a turn-key solution. In theory it all sounds great, but you need to deliver and exceed their expectations. Our clients were originally drawn to us as an integrator, as not only are we multi award winning, but we are a known for delivering ‘turn-key’ automated solutions as we can deliver all disciplines in-house. This umbrella of services is very appealing to clients/builders and architects as we provide a complete automated and electrical solution, from the empty block of land, all the way through to an intuitive UI to control all aspects of the home.
As always budget comes into play in all shapes and sizes, however the client was open to exploring new paths with technology if they see the ‘value’ and ‘performance’ in what they are receiving. This lead us down the path of really taking the indoors, outside and designing a space to highlight and maximise their investment. Being their family home and the fact that they are situated on a north-facing waterfront block of land on the sunny Gold Coast, entertaining was a part of their lifestyle that was important to them. Our original budget grew throughout the construction period as the clients trust in us also grew. This process also had a silver lining as our team became a valued part of their business with regards to future projects and relationships.
Not everything was smooth sailing, as it was clear from the start that there would be some challenges and limitations to product performance. Off Form concrete ceilings, large amounts of steel reinforcement, polished concrete floors, timber cladding/panelling, massive amounts of glass were all aspects of the home we had to take into consideration when piecing together the design. We also had the vision of the architect to take onboard, as he had done such an amazing job to design a home with all of these materials and clean lines, therefore aesthetics was a huge contribution to final decisions.
Secure
Performance Objective
The point of control for the client is through an RTI Automation System.
RTI controls the lighting, fans, blinds, curtains, windows, doors, security, air conditioning, audio and video zones throughout this home. There are eleven independently controlled AV zones in the home, with five video zones and six audio only zones. We designed the system so that each zone can operate independently or be grouped together. Control interfaces include Tablet GUI, Phone GUI, or handheld RTI remote controls. Regardless of when or what kind of function is taking place, the client has complete control, as requested.
The client feels strongly that security is a top priority, but it must be executed with subtlety. Cameras are installed throughout the property along with security keypads, motion sensors, door reeds, an APP for phone control, remote access, and wireless keyring remotes. A video IP intercom controls access to the front gate and is available for notifications and control from any internet enabled app.
Customer Feedback
Bridger Automation consistently delivers award winning projects. This highlights Mark’s talent at recruiting and training an amazing team. Mark is always looking at how he can improve his business and create amazing solutions for his customers and clients. Bridger Automation are complete professionals in the field of luxury AV
– Nathan Brady
