The odds are that you will hire an interior designer to help design your home before you hire a good AV professional. That's understandable, given the largely DIY nature of buying and assembling hi-fi systems. But with popular technologies such as home cinema, surround music and multi-room audio and video systems, the need to blend technology seamlessly into the aesthetics of interior design has never been greater.
The popular conception is that electronics professionals and interior designers are at odds. Take home theatres: electronics professionals are thought to compromise style in favour of sonics and visual performance, while interior designers may compromise performance in favour of décor. This fundamental difference in perspective can inspire professionals from both sides to work together successfully.
The reality is, most homeowners who can afford an interior designer can also afford a dedicated home cinema, whole house control or multi-room audio system and someone to install it all for them. These homeowners are also likely to demand that no compromises are made between aesthetics and performance.
If you're considering ways to integrate some of the great new lifestyle technologies you see on these pages into your home, here is some advice for your interior designer:
1. Ask your client upfront if they are working with a system integrator.
If your client already has an electronics professional, they will know that the best time to install audio, video, computer and control system wiring is before the walls are completed. Retrofit wiring can be done, but it is more expensive and invasive.
2. Don't let the electronics project start without you.
The earlier you are part of the project, the more likely your requirements will be met without dispute. Attend the initial meeting between your client and the electronics company. Get involved from the planning stage.
3. Make sure the integrator asks lots of questions about your clients' living and entertaining habits.
The more integrators know about how everyone in the house lives and works, the better they can design an integrated system the family can live with comfortably.
4. The use of technology allows every room to be your canvas.
Today, many interior design clients have TV and music in virtually every room. Ask the
systems integrator to explain how they can offer sound and video in virtually any location but be able to conceal most of the equipment and control it from anywhere.
