i3 - November/December 2016 - 28

28

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

I T I S I N N O VAT I O N

ILLUSTRATIONS BY DIGITAL VISION/ISTOCK; PHOTOS BY HOUSE VISION

things, so the system can't become outdated," Rose says. His
renovation versus 20 percent previously).
immense enthusiasm for wireless is based on a larger vision
About 30 percent of the upgraded systems include a central
of connectivity. "As the whole apps environment evolves, we'll
hub, according to Houzz, which calls itself a remodeling
see that the portable device interfaces with your
and design platform as well as a home furnishing
home, your car and office," he says. Rose also sees
e-tailer. The study found that about three-quarters
Accelerating
that home automation is trickling down into the
of the upgraded homes cost under $1,500 and the
Interest in
mass market.
most frequent investment was for "smart home
Smart Homes
"We are putting smart wiring - Cat5, coaxial and
entertainment" systems, although security/safety is
fiber optics - into medium-priced homes because
also a primary feature.
Sales of installed
those will be the methods of wired technology," he
Whether it's Apple's HomeKit, Google's Nest,
home technologies
says, adding that in some locations, architects are
Lowe's Iris Home Management System or the
should reach $2.5
designing empty conduits in anticipation of future
infrastructure being built around Amazon's Echo
billion this year,
requests to install advanced wiring infrastructure.
device - intelligent residences are becoming a
with "smart home"
technologies
Eric Davidson, president of American
major factor in both new home construction and,
expected to account
Automation & Communications Inc. in Bowie,
even more significantly, in home renovation.
for $1.2 billion,
MD, also sees the increasing appreciation of the
Chris Rose, a member of the American Institute
according to CTA. In
entire home automation category, not only among
of Architects Customer Residential Architect
a study conducted
his customers, but throughout the country.
Network (CRAN), has watched the 30-year
in collaboration with
Home Innovation
"Awareness is really high. Home control is a term
migration of what he calls the "dumb smart house"
Research Labs
that people understand," says Davidson, a member
into today's connected, interactive facilities. Back
(which is affiliated
of CTA's Small Business Council who has been
then it was all about lighting controls, thermowith the National
involved in home automation and custom elecstats, security systems and motorized drapes,
Association of Home
tronics installation for nearly 30 years. He points
he explains. He acknowledges that insurance
Builders), CTA found
that builders cite
out that Home Depot and Lowe's "keep adding
incentives spurred a lot of the security device
architect and buyer
more shelf space" for such equipment, which he
installation.
specifications for
considers a "gauge of what people are buying."
Now consumers expect dynamic sensors to
smart features as
"It's not a do-it-yourself process yet for the
manage controls, such as turning lights on/off
the "key reason
more
complicated systems," he says, but he
when people enter/leave a room. They want realfor installing home
technologies."
acknowledges that "our industry has moved in
time feedback from energy monitoring systems
The study also
that direction with both hardware and software."
and home thermostats, says Rose, who is president
identifies remodeling
Davidson says, "Market success will depend on
of Christopher Rose Architects in Charleston, SC.
projects as a great
interoperability,"
which is where he sees the need
"Residential architecture is one of the places that
opportunity for
for
specialists
who
can integrate devices and seris on the cutting edge," he says, "especially with
builders, since onethird of them earned
vices. He believes that the long gestation of home
customer home owners who are willing to invest"
more revenue
automation stemmed from distributors' belief that
in the latest technology. He expects such installafrom remodeling
the market "was not going to happen" or a decision
tions to "trickle down" throughout the industry.
than from new
"not to go beyond their existing product lines."
construction in the
"Small, independent distributors were the first
NO MORE 'WALL ACNE'
past year. Although
luxury
and
custom
to
see the opportunity," Davidson explains. Yet,
Wireless controls and the growing use of smarthomes are the
many of the "early false starts" were tied to "lack
phone and tablet apps are accelerating adoption,
most likely to install
of tech support and consumer support." Now, he
Rose believes. But putting in a bank of switches,
smart technologies,
points out, many consumers can set up a home
each controlling a different device, turned off cushouses at all levels
network, "even though some are very klugey."
tomers, who didn't like the lineup of wall plates.
are getting structured
wiring, monitored
Davidson's company specializes in "high-end
"Wall acne" is his term for the blotch of individual
security and energy
but not ultra high" installations and is handling
control devices arrayed across a surface. That's why
management
a lot of new construction, including work for
Rose is so enthusiastic about tablets, smartphones
systems.
previous customers who are building new homes.
and wireless frequencies, which give homeowners "a
But a mainstay of the home automation projects
lot more interfaces" through devices they already use.
involves retrofitting existing homes.
"We're steering away from connecting physical
http://www.cta.tech/research http://www.cta.tech/research
i3 - November/December 2016

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