Bedford Barn Conversion

While transforming an old barn into an open-plan family home, the owner asked Cyberhomes to help him indulge his passion for film.

“The barn conversion was a big project, but the smart tech installation couldn’t have been easier, thanks to Cyberhomes’ friendly, professional attitude. They went all out to understand what me and my family wanted, and the final installation is superb.”

Key elements

• Control4 control and automation system with 16 touch screens
• Bespoke lighting with Control4 lighting of 56 lighting circuits
• Audio and Video distribution to eight Sony TVs
• Media Room with Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 surround sound
• Video intercom
• Managed Wi-Fi network
• CCTV and intruder alarm

Media Room

The architect had drawn up plans for an open-plan family home bathed in glorious natural light. This provided the creative minds at Cyberhomes with a two-fold challenge designing the media room.

How could we achieve cinema-quality visuals with such expansive glazing? And how could we produce cinematic sound in an open layout?

As there wasn’t space for a home cinema, Cyberhomes created a sophisticated media room with Dolby® Atmos® surround sound. We also installed a complete home automation system, with integrated AV, lighting, heating and security control, working to a pre-set budget.

Best quality visuals

Given the planning constraints of the building and the redevelopment, we recessed a 75” Sony LED TV into the wall for the best possible visual quality.

We connected this—and the seven other TVs around the home—to a 4K-capable video distribution system, via a Leaf 10×10 Ultra HD matrix. Video sources include an Ultra HD Blu-Ray player, three Sky Q satellite receivers, and a 4K Apple TV media player.

The homeowner operates the media room’s AV system via the Control4 app, which also controls the automation of the lighting, heating, security and AV in the rest of the house.

Surround sound

We achieved Dolby® Atmos® 7.1.2 surround sound for the media room with the help of an Integra DRX-5 processor, and Triad Bronze in-wall speakers to the front and sides.

As the large, open-plan living area has no back wall, we installed in-ceiling Triad Silver Omni-SE speakers to the rear. A pair of in-ceiling Triad Bronze speakers provide the Atmos height channels. We also used two Triad Bronze in-wall subs for maximum bass.

Without a budget for acoustic treatment of the room, our engineers worked painstakingly with the Integra AV processor’s AccuEQ Room Calibration to optimise the sound quality.

Lighting

Working to a design by lighting designer Richard Voller, we created a Control4 lighting system with 56 dimmable circuits and 22 custom-engraved wallplates. A tap of a wallplate or the Control4 app switches on the preferred lighting scenes.

Some of the wallplates can also put the home into ‘goodnight’ mode, which turns off all AV and main-room lighting, and dims the hall and stairway lighting. ‘Holiday’ mode replays the lighting usage of the past two weeks, making the house appear occupied.

The wallplates also control ScreenLine® integrated blinds encased in the double glazing. As ScreenLine had never worked with Control4, we benchtested a custom solution prior to integrating the blinds into the control system on site.

Heating and security

Heating automation wasn’t on the homeowner’s list of priorities. But as the existing Heatmiser Neo integrates easily to the Control4 system, we were able to add it at virtually no cost—providing additional functionality for the family.

As a result, they have zoned control of their heating at home or when away. And they can view live and recorded security footage from the property’s four CCTVs over any internet connection.

Rack room

We configured the rack room to enable remote monitoring and maintenance. As a result, Cyberhomes knows if a device stops working before the homeowner does. We can safely shut down and
reboot equipment to get it running again, without having to visit the property.

“Thanks to Cyberhomes, I’m living out my passion for movies in style. The quality of sound and picture they achieved is incredible.”

Homeowner, Bedford