Where do we start to describe the truly unique project, design, timeline and scope of this project… in order to understand the objectives a little background information needs to be explained.

12 years ago, in 2010 our managing director worked for another automation company and stood in the rain under a tree with the owners and builder looking at a block of dirt. Soaking wet, it was hard to envision what would become one of the most unique houses in Australia and possibly the world. The idea was to create the owners dream home that encompassed all the fine, exotic and spectacular features that they had seen in famous hotels around the world.

A “Riad” is a type of traditional Moroccan and Andalusi interior garden or courtyard associated with house and palace architecture. Its origin is generally attributed to Persian gardens that spread during the Islamic period. The owners love this style of architecture and based the design off the famous hotel “La Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco” (do a google image search… it’s worth a look). The owners wanted to build a house that felt like they were on holidays and so the build started more than a decade ago. For the simplicity and anonymity, we will refer to the owners as Jack and Jill throughout.

Due to the timeline of this build, we have multiple design phases. 2010 Design objectives discussed with the clients were as follows:

• Seamless audio throughout the home just like hotels
• Jack is a huge fan of sport and motor racing so distributed video was required throughout
• Audio and video zones everywhere else to satisfy the above objectives
• Two thirds of the Garage was to be Jack’s USA Muscle Car showroom with audio and video
• A games/billiards room to have audio and multiple TVs
• The media room needed to rock and at the same time not distract from the aesthetics with their triple coffered ceiling and fine finishes.
• Hidden TV in master bedroom so it would not be visible when not in use
• Landscape audio around pool house
• Satellite/Pay TV
• Free to Air RF TV
• Wireless & networking
• Smart lighting control
• Motorized windows in galleria to be controlled to help purge hot air
• Pool Control
• Scenes & Schedules
• Firepits and fireplaces
• Fountain control – inside and out
• Security Cameras
• Security Alarm
• Motorised doors control
• Intercom at main gate

2010 Design solutions were as follows:

• Component Video matrix
• Audio Matrix output to powered amplifiers
• Media Projector, dedicated amplifier, 7.2 Speaker configuration
• Dynalite/Electrical Automation
• Crestron Automation System
• Security Cameras with RG59 coax & Fig. 8 cables
• Paradox Alarm System with Access Control modules
• Intercom – not specified but cabled for future

As time went on and the build started to progress it became apparent that this project will be drastically outdated before it is even finished. In 2010 there was no available solutions on the market for technologies we widely use as standard today e.g., 4G, HDMI, HDBaseT, IP Cameras, etc. Therefore, our director revisited the client to talk about mitigating these challenges.

In 2014 (after the house was sheeted) it was proposed to:

• Upgrade the component video solution to HDBaseT over Cat5e
• Advise the client that our director was leaving the automation company to start his own business and to set them up for a successful project completion after he left

Five years later in 2019 the clients approached our director to take over the job and finalise its completion as it was getting close with equipment fit off taking place. In order to finish the job a full inventory and investigation had to take place to see what had happened in the last 5 years and to check for more upgrades.

2019-2022 Upgrades and solutions

• Crestron removed as automation system and replaced with RTI. RTI had a better price point and allowed flexibility to install what was required
• 3G/4G Mobile phone antenna and boosters were installed to enhance cell phone reception
• ADSL internet was too sporadic and unreliable due to the rural location, underground network, and communication pits often flood. Therefore, a 4G modem was installed as the primary WAN, with ADSL WAN backup
• NVR was upgraded to allow IP/Network connectivity and App Control
• Cameras Upgraded to ‘HD TVI’
• Upgrade intercom to IP with ‘Ethernet over Coax’ balun
• SONOS local amp in Garage
• SONOS local amp in Rooftop gazebo due to cable deterioration. New cables had to be run after 10years of sun destroyed originals.

After all the hurdles this project had along the way, the client was left with a system that is up to date in terms of control, functionality, meets their needs and still allows for expansion should they require more. Therefore, successfully achieving the performance objectives originally designed.