Smart Move
Abode’s architectural expert, Greg Young, encourages us to get smart about how we live in the 21st century, sharing the possibilities of home automation.
‘A house is a machine for living in.’ As said by the famous modernist architect, Le Corbusier, never was a truer statement made. Now, nearly a century on, it rings truer than ever.
Everywhere we turn technology plays an integral part of modern life. Whether it’s at the office, in the car, taking a walk in the park, or even while we’re sleeping, we seem to be plugged in at every moment.
We wouldn’t dream of buying a new car featuring antiquated technologies – so why would we sell ourselves short when it comes to experiencing creature comforts in our own homes?
Readily available in New Zealand for over 20 years, home automation was once an expensive and complicated procedure to integrate.
These days you needn’t lift a finger to control the lights, music, curtains, heating, hot water, garage doors, and even the sprinkler system, which can be pre-programmed and operated all from an app on your smart device. Basically anything and everything that requires electricity can be automated.
Much more affordable 20 years on, home automation is a concept worth raising in consultation with your architect when designing your dream home.
Control panels that combine all facets of home automation are easy to use and just as easy to set up. What’s more, different controls can be added as and when you want them, which can also be retrofitted into existing homes. And, if you don’t like control touch-pad panels, you can always programme them to be voice-activated.
If you’ve ever worried you’ve left the oven on or the doors unlocked, home-automation enables you to turn the power off and lock the doors at the touch of a button on your smart phone, even if you’re miles away. And, for additional peace of mind while on holiday, security camera feeds can be linked to your phone in real time.
Even if you don’t currently enjoy the full home automation experience, it’s likely there are plenty of things in your home that can be automated. Curtail your teenager’s internet usage after lights out by programming a set number of wifi hours on their devices and monitor their consumption at the same time. Or, set the scene for a romantic ambience, or simply dim the lights while watching TV in the evenings by programming various lighting settings for different times of the day in specific areas of the home.
Home automation is not only convenient, but these days it’s so affordable that you’d be foolish not to live smarter.
03 384 7879 | young.co.nz
