The Annexe

The Brief

On this project traditional farm buildings were to be converted to form an annexe providing additional accomodation and also provide a large open plan area for entertaining. Originally this was an audio only enquiry, however as discussions with our clients developed and options discussed it was felt that the room would benefit with something a little more elaborate.

The Solution

Following our initial discussions our ideas had developed from audio only to audio and video, however the client wanted a system that would provide a three tiered solution. Audio for entertaining, a screen for normal TV, and a large screen for sports and films, yet these had to be in a format that was simple to use and remain discrete.

We therfore utilised the sloping ceilings of the room to install flush mounted Bowers & Wilkins speakers along with a PV1 subwoofer. These were then powered by a Rotel RSX-1560 receiver.

A Pioneer 50" Plasma screen was installed, however to ensure that this remains unobtrusive when not required it was mounted behind a Future Automation split picture mechanism. For the big screen experience a 4m wide Vutec motorised screen was installed with images provided by a JVC HD350 projector.

A Sony Blu-ray player was installed for the video, along with an Escient Fireball hard drive unit to provide a storage solution for the Clients CD and iTunes music. To ensure that the system is easy to use a Philips Pronto TSU9600 remote control was installed.

The client had also commisioned one of our lighting designers to provide a scheme for the annexe and parts of the house. This lghting design provides a total of 32 circuits of lights, therefore to provide a simple control solution we installed an iLight lighting control system. Simple seven button control plates enable the clients to activate different lighting scenes from a single press of a button.

Behind the scenes, during the buiild, the property was cabled for distribution of TV, along with Telephone and Gigabit ethernet, wireless access points allow internet browsing from the terrace area.