Built utilizing the best in Icelandic talent
Just outside of Reykjavik, overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean, lies a seaside villa pushing the boundaries of luxury living in every way. Initially built in 2006, new ownership in 2016 resulted in the complete reconstruction of the entire home’s interior layout and interior design. Sourcing entirely from Icelandic talent, the new owner put together a team of the best architects and designers to create this stunning home. This team included architects Steve Christer and Margrét Harðardóttir at Studio Grandi, and interior designer Selma Agustdottir. These architects came to the project with plenty of experience, having designed Reykjavik City Hall, the Supreme Court of Iceland, and the Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhus.
Smart technology solutions
The new homeowners wanted the home’s new design to reflect the very best in Scandanavian and modern design narratives. Likewise, they wanted the technology in their home to reflect the very best in smart technology and home automation. For this, the homeowners turned to us at TSP Smart Spaces and our nordic subsidiary Nordic Smart Spaces. We collaborated directly with the architects and designers throughout the project’s entirety. Likewise, we integrated home automation solutions for the entire home that built upon the home’s design narrative or were hidden entirely from view. In all of our projects, we strive to be involved in the design process as well as the build and support processes. Ensuring that the power and infrastructure smart technology requires is considered at every step.
Open-concept design
A popular trend in new homes, especially Scandinavian builds, is an open-concept interior design with plenty of glass that provides plenty of natural light. Above all, there’s a clean, cohesive design narrative, and this home is no exception. Every room in this home affords sweeping views of the ocean and countryside perfectly juxtaposed with the home’s interior’s clean, industrial style.
One of the biggest challenges we ran into with this project was integrating technology. Especially a whole home audio solution, that did not detract from the specific design of the home. It needed to meld seamlessly with the aesthetics of the space or be completely hidden from view. Meanwhile, still providing unique technology experiences that both enhanced and simplified the lives of the homeowners.
An invisible solution
For the home’s audio system, we turned to Amina and their revolutionary invisible loudspeakers. Hidden behind the plaster of the walls and ceilings, Amina invisible speakers provide an incredible audio experience. These were used in the home’s living areas, including the kitchen, dining room, study, bedrooms, and living room. We have brought Amina speakers into many clients’ homes, and they are utilized worldwide in museums, hotels, and other luxury residences. A total of 20 Amina Edge5 invisible speakers partner with 5 Amina ALF subwoofers throughout the entire home.
A logistical installation challenge
Weighing more than 40 lbs and spanning over five feet in length, each of the larger Amina subwoofers posed a clear challenge of space and mounting. This challenge highlighted the importance of our involvement in the design process from the beginning. It allowed us to carve out dedicated ceiling space for each subwoofer that left room for wiring, HVAC, and lighting. Our early involvement in the process saved time and money and kept the homeowners from having unsightly exposed subwoofers.
12 zones of immersive audio
For the audio distribution, three Savant Pro Audio 4’s provide streaming, AVB-based distribution, and amplification for a total of 12 independent zones for whole home audio. The Savant Pro Audio 4 is an all-in-one music solution. It includes a 50- or 125-watt amplifier, integrated audio processing, and four zones of high-quality audio that syncs between rooms.
By integrating Amina invisible speakers and Savant audio, we provided an incredible audio experience for the homeowners that are completely hidden throughout the home.
Smart technology solutions from industry leaders
A smart home is a space where technology and experience meet to give you unlimited creativity and control of your home. Technology solutions from a myriad of companies come together to bring you a single integrated control system from which you can control your entire home and everything in it. This control system transforms your home from a space with technology into a truly smart home.
In this ocean-side villa, we harnessed the home’s diverse technology and brought it all together into one integrated system. This meant tying together audio from Amina, TVs from Samsung, lighting from KNX, shade control from Lutron, controls from Basalte and physical security from 2N to provide an immersive and intuitive technology experience for anyone using the home.
One integrated control
In almost every project we bring to life, we turn to Savant’s smart technology solutions. With this system we can integrate the diverse products seen in every home under one easy-to-control system. The ability to harness controls from almost any third-party solution on the market makes Savant a keystone facet in any smart home project we undertake.
By integrating Savant, we were able to bring the home’s physical security, AV solutions, lighting and shade control, and climate control all under a single control system. This integrated system allows the homeowners to control everything via their voice, remote control, or via their mobile device. These control options lets the homeowners control their entire home, wherever they are and however they prefer. Read more about this project in this article from Essential Install, and this one from Hidden Wires, as well as this one in Connected Design.
“The great thing about the Savant platform is that it allows for so many different integration possibilities. They’re not just saying they’ll only integrate with ‘XY&Z’ manufacturers. A big focus of theirs is increasing their compatibility and ease of programming. That was key for us on this project.”
Michael Oh, President of TSP Smart Spaces
Interested in smart technology solutions?
Ready to transform your home into a smart space? Begin your smart home automation journey today by contacting our home automation team.
About TSP Smart Spaces
TSP Smart Spaces combines luxury design aesthetics with the latest in smart home automation technology. From colonial-style mansions in Boston MA to a luxurious pool house, and smart apartments in Iceland, we help transform your home’s technology from a utility to an experience. We help homeowners take command of their homes by controlling everything from lights and shades, to audio and visual, all from a singular device or voice command. Our proven Design, Build, and Support process ensures we are with you from the beginning of your smart home journey and beyond.