If you missed last year’s series of Channel 4’s popular TV programme, Grand Designs, presented by Kevin McCloud, then make sure you tune in at 9pm on Wednesday 4th February.
The new series revisits Tom Perry’s ambitious self-build Cloud 8 project located in an area of outstanding beauty in the Chilterns, Buckinghamshire.
This contemporary-designed family home reveals how the home of the future has now become home of the present thanks to some clever ABB technology.
Tom’s learning curve, more akin to a vertical overhang, reveals the pitfalls of undertaking such a challenging project. His patience and problem solving skills are tested to the limit, not to mention the medical skills of his local A&E department!
When Cloud 8 reaches completion, it is hoped that Tom’s life will become less stressful thanks to a little help from ABB’s intelligent building management system.
ABB’s i-bus® EIB low-voltage control system will be used to manage a wide range of functions both inside and outside the property. A roof-mounted weather station will detect wind, rain and temperature levels, automatically adjusting window blinds, lighting and heating. Security will also be controlled with a number of passive infra-red motion detectors and the whole building will be completely networked and managed using i-bus® EIB.