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Picture a typical household. The lighting and heating systems are standalone, powered by separate switches and thermostats; rooms are individually lit; the television and sound system operate separately. Everything works, but independently of everything else. 

A more contemporary scheme might integrate the lighting controls through systems like DALI or Lutron. But a recent north London residential project went one step - or one giant leap - further by linking all building controls using KNX technology: an OSI-based network communications protocol, which allows a range of products from different manufacturers to be integrated using a single software tool. 

E-Life took on the fi ve-year challenge of integrating each element using KNX and Crestron systems. “The last thing a client wants is numerous switches covering the walls, none of which look alike,” argues managing director Kevin Clayton. “The beauty of KNX is that everything is on one switch.” 

In this particular project, ‘everything’ includes the lighting console, heating console, cooling system, electric curtains, water feature and home entertainment system, not to mention the security and telephone systems. KNX technology links the building controls – lighting, heating, cooling, and the electric curtains – while the Crestron system provides fully integrated AV. 

Because KNX covers such a range of applications using just the one standard, the cabling network can be much simpler. A KNX/EIB bus cable is generally all that’s needed, with the various elements all operating together on a single network. Sensors across the bus line pass instructions on to actuators, which in turn control the lighting and heating throughout the house. 

Clayton adds: “The light fittings were wired back to a central lighting control panel on different floors. The green KNX cable loops all the panels together, running in and out of the keypad software through which the different lighting features were programmed.” 

The client can operate the building controls and home entertainment through Crestron colour touch screens. “We aimed to integrate as many things as possible on one easy-to use controller,” says Clayton. “The end user doesn’t want the hassle of complicated technology. It needs to be an intuitive system – especially when children will use it.” 

And there are plenty more advantages. The system incorporates a number of features, from mood lighting and daylight sensors to simulated occupancy and panic buttons. Full integration of the lighting and heating systems gives scope to programme a number of different scenes, for example a ‘Welcome’ button lights a pathway from the front door into the kitchen, while also switching on the heating. 

“There’s a button that brings on the bathroom light at only five per cent during the night, so they won’t be blinded by the sudden brightness,” continues Clayton. “And you can programme a switch to turn off all the upstairs lights when the kids come down for tea.” 

KNX is a technology rather than a control system. This is an important distinction, because the end user will have access to around 4,000 KNX-certified products from manufacturers around the world, all of which are compatible. Barry Townsend from Workplane Light Planning designed the lighting scheme inside this expansive property. Having never worked with KNX technology before, Townsend wasn’t sure how much control he’d have over the project or the range of fittings available.

But he was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. “In the end we installed 207 internal circuits plus 55 externally,” he says, which easily catered for the theatrical lighting requested by the client. “Ultimately, what we were looking for was total flexibility.”

There are LEDs concealed within a spiral staircase, cold cathode in the master bedroom and concealed in the bathroom mirror to illuminate the face, and a wall backlit with coloured T5 fluorescent batons in the games area. “We could provide all of this on the KNX system,” adds Townsend. “Because the intelligence is in the controller rather than the device, if something fails you don’t end up with multiple circuit failure.” 

After its inception in the late eighties, KNX quickly became well-established in Europe as an international building control standard. UK has lagged behind, but with major commercial projects like Heathrow Terminal 5 using KNX technology, is now the time for change? 

“Britain’s leading supplier of lighting control is Lutron, which has a big hold on the market,” notes Clayton. “But Lutron and other similar systems only control lighting. KNX is starting to become more recognised in the UK because of the numerous features available.”

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