Automation Off-set by Environmental Consience
The accolade was awarded to Finite Solutions in recognition of their carefully-considered Uffuzi project. The realisation of one homeowner’s dream to build a property that had both impressive technical and ecological credentials; the Uffuzi house has a wealth of Crestron automation technology which is off-set by its environmental conscience.

HD Video and High Quality Audio Throughout
For the brief, the client wanted HD video and very high quality music distributed throughout. To watch movies he wanted to have a centralised movie server fed into the HD distribution system, accessible from all rooms with TV's. He also wanted to have unusual creative lighting and to have the entire system integrated with a unifying Crestron control system that would also control heating.

Carefully Considered Environmental Technology
The client’s other major consideration was the ecological impact of the project, and he wanted to incorporate several eco-technologies into his new house. He requested a ground source heat transfer system, capable not only of heating the house, but of cooling it in the summer. He also wanted a rain water collection system and to have intelligent rain sensitive automatic windows. The house would also be fitted with a centralised vacuum system.

Family Friendly
The client was also very keen that technologies in the house should be accessible to all the family, and requested that two levels of control could be provided; a basic system for TVs and music around the home, and an advanced Crestron control system for the HVAC and security as well as the high-end Linn music systems.

High Speed Data Network
For the AV requirements Finite installed a gigabit Ethernet network throughout the property for provision of HD video and high-quality audio distribution. Through this network they could feed an HD Smart-e video distribution system, and stored music to be accessed, at the client’s request, via Logitech Squeezebox media streaming devices.

Discreet High Quality Sound
In order for Finite to get the very best quality out of these media players, custom made DACs were commissioned for use on the digital outputs and Rotel power amps driving Anthony Gallo speakers were used along with B&W subwoofers. The final result is high quality sound, and an attractive, discreet finish.

HD Throughout the Home
The Smart-e video distribution carries both HD Virgin media and DVD server pictures round the house, visible in all rooms with TVs which vary from Samsung to Loewe in quality. The sophistication of control varies from room to room, from Universal MX-900 simple remotes in the children’s rooms to a Crestron control system in the cinema.

Linn Music Room
After a visit to the Linn showroom in Glasgow, the client requested that a listening room be added to the brief. The result is a music room which uses Linn Articulate 350A speakers and a Klimax pre-amp, running off a Squeezebox with a custom DAC.

Lounge Mixed Use Lounge Cinema Room
Within the cinema area a 50" Pioneer 8th generation plasma and Sim2 HT3000 full HD DLP projector have been installed, hidden when not in use on a projector lift and activated on an electric drop down screen. An Arcam FMJ 7.1 audio system runs through a B&W speaker system. Music is also delivered into the garden through B&W WM4 speakers with a wireless squeezebox controller.

Intelligent Lighting Control
As lighting was a major requirement, the house uses a Niko centralised lighting control system, with mood lighting throughout. Features such as an “all off” button next to the front door allow the lights to be switched off when leaving the home - saving time and energy. Holiday modes have also been set to simulate presence within the home when the family are away, and certain indoor and outdoor lights turn off automatically during daylight hours, managed by a daylight time clock.

Cutting Edge Environmental Technology
Bearing in mind the environmental concerns, HVAC and greywater were issues to be addressed. Finite acted as consultants at the initial design stage for all the environmental features to ensure they could be designed in such a way that would not only be environmentally effective, but also so that they would integrate fully with the control system. An 80m deep bore hole had to be drilled at the start of the project for the heating and cooling. Solar panels were also mounted on the roof.

Extensive Crestron Eco Contol System
Performance of the various systems, including HVAC, is monitored by the Crestron control system. The client can view CCTV camera images from the touch screen, monitor energy usage, adjust temperatures in different areas of the house, access the internet and browse through all the music on the Squeezebox system.

Bespoke Cabinitery
As much of the equipment was to be installed within bespoke cabinetry around the house, Finite needed to take into careful consideration placement of power and data sockets within the cabinets. A good working relationship with the cabinet makers and electricians was vital to the success of this process.

But Not Without Challenges...
As in most of Finite’s installations the distribution equipment is housed in a central comms room. In Uffuzi House the room is also the central room for certain water valves, and at quite a late stage of the installation there was a major water leak, flooding the room, including its equipment, to the point of it being unusable. All of the AV kit in the comms room needed to be replaced, and in the case of the custom made DAC, rebuilt.

Despite the setbacks, Finite Solutions managed to create a truly balanced home, maintaining the need for hi-tech AV with environmentally friendly solutions, to ensure the property is as green as it is a true technological haven.