John Brimage, Technical Director at Sensible Technology, guides EI through this impressive project including a home cinema.
Since 2003, Sensible Technology has been delivering technology focused solutions for high-specification homes and commercial premises in Guernsey in the Channel Islands. The business started by delivering multi-room audio systems, lighting control systems and high quality light fittings. In May 2016 under new ownership, Matt Guille (Director) and John Brimage, Sensible now provides significantly more ‘Smart Home’ products and services including Control4 home automation Lutron and Rako Lighting Control Systems and structured cabling (data and WiFi networks).
For this project, John explains, “We regularly work with architects, builders and interior designers and are often involved early on in the design stage. Having worked with Architect Tom Bourgaize (The Drawing Room) before, we were again invited to specify the technology part of this stunning East Coast Guernsey home.
John continues, “We had not worked with the client before, so it was important to discuss with them their lifestyle and important technology they enjoy in the home. One of the requests was a no compromise home cinema and easy to use technology. We agreed a brief from the start and very little changed throughout.
“The client had already experienced Lutron and Control4 so already had knowledge on what a smart home can offer. Naturally we chose Lutron Homeworks QSX for lighting control with the tried and tested International Seetouch keypads. During the first fix part of the project Lutron released the elegant and versatile hand crafted Alisse keypads which was an immediate hit with our clients so replaced the original specification.”
John also explains that ceiling coffers were a feature designed by the architect in most rooms, so the team chose to illuminate these by installing 3000k linear LEDs linked to the Lutron DALI system. For areas where downlights were required the team used used Orluna lighting, a favourite with the firm since 2013.
For light control, John explains, “For shading solutions, we always work with our partners Ace Contracts so we immediately asked them to take the lead with this. The clients were introduced to the team at Ace who specified a wide range of solutions from Lutron.”
As for particular technical challenges, John reveals, “We had to integrate Velux motorised skylights, shutters and blinds so they could be controlled via the Lutron keypads and individually via a Control4 Touch screen, this was integrated using a Lutron contact closure interface and Velux’s io-homecontrol Interface. Also due to the location of the property (on the cliffs) the 4G mobile signal was terrible so Stella Doradus equipment was installed to boost the signal.
The home also features a multi-room audio system using Bluesound Powernode amplifiers, Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+, Gallo Acoustics Habitat speakers, Triad Silver in-ceiling speakers, and some hidden options in the form of Amina Mobius 7i and an
Amina ALF80 invisible subwoofer. The home also enjoys viewing options from a Samsung QLED Q95 and Frame TV.
The home cinema
Following the request for an easy to use, but high-performance home cinema, John says, “We immediately got in touch with Pulse Cinemas and following a video call they put their team of designers to work on three different specification for the space we had to work with.
Pulse cinemas specified suitable speakers and amplification for the room size from Paradigm and Anthem, a motorised screen from Screen Research and projector from Sim2. The room was small in size with a low ceiling height which meant we had to get creative with the seating layout to enable access to the back seats.
John continues, “Again, Ace Contracts supplied the acoustic wall treatments which also gave the room that extra bit of luxury. Premium leather Fortress seating with retractable tables, reading lights and cup holders were supplied by Pulse Cinemas. We also fitted a Buttkicker (Haptic Transducer) in each seat for that extra impact when watching action movies and a star ceiling from Starscape.
“I think we all agree our favourite part was the Cinema. As a business we had installed cinemas before but not as astounding as this room turned out to be.”
Essential Kit List
Cinema
Sim2 Crystal4 SH 4K Laser Projector (Black)
Anthem MRX1140 AVR
Paradigm 4 x CI PRO P1 LCR, 3 x CI PRO P3 LCR, 4 x CI-PRO P80-R and 2 x Defiance X10 Subwoofer
Screen Research 110in Lateral E-Mask Screen – Ultimate Cleapix
Seating: Fortress Seating 5 x Nova Style, Corinne Pomegranate Premium Leather Seating with front access cup holders – stainless steel, goose neck reading lamp, first class tray table in standard Black
Whole home and automation
Lutron Homeworks QSX, Alisse Keypads, Sivoia QS Roller Blinds, Roman Blinds and Curtains
Orluna LED Downlights
Deltalight Adjustable Ceiling Spots
Astro Coastal Exterior Lighting
Phos Exterior Lighting
Control4 EA5
Control4 EA1
Control4 10in T4 Series Touch Screen
Control4 Neeo Remote Control
Whole House Audio
Bluesound Powernode Amplifiers
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+
Gallo Habitat Acoustics Speakers
Triad Silver In-Ceiling Speakers
Amina Mobius 7i Invisible Speakers
Amina ALF80 Invisible Subwoofer
Viewing options
Samsung QLED Q95
Samsung Frame TV
Leon Tonecase (Soundbar Enclosure)