[
More than ever before, people are using
technology in a variety of ways to meet their own individual needs
]
enabling greater communication with the out- side world, assisted living and a number of other benefits such as energy efficiency. The role of technology therefore has great potential within our future homes – to help people live life better. Wiring integrated into the home’s design from the beginning can be linked to a wide range of home automation functions, from security and door entry, to heating, fire detection and lighting control. For the young, the key function in an automated home may be entertainment – for example the ability to stream music throughout the home via a single control panel or internet- enabled device such as a smart phone or tablet. For families, comfort and security may be top of the wish-list, enabling the end user to answer
the door remotely via video link or via a tablet or smart phone, or to activate pre-set heating and lighting levels via a single switch. An older resident, however, may be more interested in energy efficiency, security and the ability to upgrade the system to make it more suitable in older age, with home safety alarms or activity monitoring that allow them to live independently at home for longer. While our basic requirements may seem the
same on the surface – in terms of keeping our- selves, family and friends safe, warm and happy – there are some fundamental differences and it’s important that we consider this. Building in a core electrical infrastructure should be key in all properties – a basic in the property spec- ification. With this in place, individuals can then
pick and choose the elements that best meet their needs today, and update them tomorrow. Property design should of course be influenced by the needs of the individuals living there, but shouldn’t be limited by it. How we use our homes and technology is
quite individual, so our homes should never be identical in form or function. For the self-build market, many opt to build their own homes to ensure they design a property that is unique to their requirements. However through a deeper understanding of how these needs change over time, and the potential that technology can bring, it is possible to truly build a lifetime home.
Richard Hayward is lead marketing manager for Legrand’s wiring devices business
Enq. 191
Enq. 192
52
selfbuilder & homemaker
www.sbhonline.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60