A new trend has emerged amongst London’s elite, who are turning away from complex bespoke all-encompassing home automation systems and instead opting for off-the-shelf smart technologies for connected audio, lighting, heating, and security.
The connected and automated home was long the preserve of the wealthy. A decade ago, it could cost five or six figures to install a connected system that controlled a property’s heating, lighting, and media, but technology has moved on. Today, brands like Sonos, Nest, Tado, Tapo, and Hue have made the connected home affordable for everyone, and it seems even those who can afford unique precision systems are now opting for these cheaper alternatives.
Rory Gordon of Good London Builders, who has managed the home renovations of a number of high-net-worth individuals across London in recent years, noted the trend. He said:
“While some clients still want the all singing, all dancing approach, we have seen a noticeable shift towards keeping it simple. From controlling lighting by simple dimmers and off the shelf alarm systems to ‘plug and play’ AV installations connected by WiFi. The approach works very well and costs very little. The difference between professional grade set ups and the standard offering has shrunk massively and unless you are an absolute aficionado who appreciates the ultimate then it becomes harder to justify.”
Bespoke vs simplicity
The idea of being able to control your sound system, heating, and lighting all from a single tablet interface seemed like a futuristic fantasy in the 80s and 90s. However, as technology moved on, high-end systems were designed to fulfil these dreams at a price, but the interface to control this granular access could be complex and cumbersome.
The release of the Apple iPhone in 2007 was a revolution. It was suddenly possible to have a device that could perform a wealth of functions and access a wide array of services in the palm of your hand and that was easy to use. Complexity was out and simplicity was in. Now, after more than a dozen iterations of Apple’s iOS operating system and competition from Google’s Android, any platform that does not provide simple app-based access feels antiquated. A small number of users may still want incredibly granular control, but most people – including high-net-worth individuals – just want things to work.
An app-based future
Everybody now has a smartphone, and the idea of a dedicated tablet-like device to control your sound system, heating, lighting, or security system feels like going backwards. If you want to control the temperature in individual rooms in your home, or make sure all the lights are switched off at night or have your security system automatically switch on whenever the house is empty – there’s an app for that. And increasingly, these tools and devices can also talk to each other via Matter or be controlled and automated centrally by Google Home or Apple HomeKit. Google and Apple have spent millions making their platforms easy to use and integrated with as many connected devices as possible. The bespoke systems that have traditionally been installed in the homes of wealthy individuals cannot compete with the app-based simplicity being pushed by Apple and Google. These consumer-focused off-the-shelf options may not offer sound quality as stellar or control as granular as the bespoke alternatives, but they “just work” and you do not need to read a manual to get started.
The complexity and expense of bespoke precision systems have often meant that once installed, they were rarely upgraded or replaced. In the world of technology, where a lot can change in a few years and flagship devices from 12 months ago are already out-of-date, five or ten years is a long time. In contrast, upgrading to a new Sonos speaker, a new Nest Thermostat, or even an entirely new Eufy or Simplisafe security system is trivial both in terms of effort and expense. These firms are also adding features to their devices every year, which means that for those that want and can afford the latest and greatest technologies, these consumer-focused technologies often offer a better solution than a precision customised system that is just a few years old.
Quality installation
It is certainly possibly to install these new consumer-focused connected devices yourself, but it can still be useful to get experienced help to make sure you choose the right products for your specific needs and to set them up in the best locations.
For example, Sonos makes it easy to connect multiple speakers around your home to the network, but to get the best sound, aesthetic, and experience it is important to know which speaker models to buy, where to place them, and how to set them up properly. If you are renovating your home, then this is a great time to introduce connectivity.
Rory added:
“We have fitted the best systems money can buy over the years and while there is still a place for this in certain scenarios, the experience on the coal face of the new simple technologies is such that it is hard to argue with this approach.”
There will always be a market for super high-end audio and video installations, advanced lighting platforms, and complex underfloor heating systems. However, for most people – including most wealthy people – we have reached a stage where the technology in the cheaper consumer-focused tools and devices is a better choice no matter the cost.
If you would like to discuss integrating smart technologies into your London home renovation project, call Good London Builders today on 0207 978 5097 or contact us online.
