Ephraim Island

Aesthetic minimalism, performance, functionality and simplicity. Control4 has all of these traits, which ultimately exceeded our client’s expectations.

Our client specifically requested simple and local control of the entire system and a music server for the primary audio source. Control4 was the most obvious and worthy solution for the control layer.

Control4 gave us a local hand-held but full-function remote for every zone, a large central touchscreen, a large portable touchscreen in the Media Room, a music server, simple network architecture and many avenues for later add-ons.

It was an easy fit to the scope of works and clients requests. We began by designing the additional elements for the C-Bus system. The client added many dimmable lighting circuits, motorized blinds or curtains on all windows, and upgraded switch
styles. As we were responsible for the C-Bus contract this was a relatively simple and economical upgrade.

During the project, our client brought on an interior decorator, who’s ideas not only expanded the scope of our work, but challenged us on aesthetic issues, such as flat panel TV’s being as close as possible to the walls. As a team, the end result was far and away the neatest multiple flat panel installation we had achieved.

Our clients’ two children are home schooled, which not only added network configuration and management to our scope, but placed a larger emphasis on the ‘kids entertainment’ aspect of the home. The theatre room is their retreat with movies,
game consoles galore, a pinball machine, and the essential popcorn maker.

With four Foxtel subscriptions, each member of the family has their own box available, with Control4 allowing us to easily steer the applicable Foxtel boxes to any or all of the TV’s. Both of the children have an iPod touch that doubles as a full remote control showing all control options and the music library, as well as music from each of the 4 iPod docks throughout the home.

Global scenes that set mood (lighting, blinds and curtains, music, and TV channels) are the client’s most used feature of the system and their greatest surprise. 90% of their operation is done via these global scenes. They also love the fact that they can log in to home from their office or anywhere in the world, and if needed, turn off TV’s in the kids’ bedrooms and turn on the lights in the school room should they require some prompting.

The C-Bus hardware had quadrupled from what was originally in the developer’s contract so discrete wall area for enclosures in this space efficient apartment was a real challenge. Although we were able to pre-cable at construction stage,
most of our install work was post hand-over. This certainly made it easier for us to gain site access for staff and sub-contractors.

Upon learning we are also electrical contractors, the client eagerly enlisted us to perform all of the post-handover electrical work.

With the Interior designer adding many extra lighting channels, this ended up being a large portion of the man hours for this project.

The network aspect of the project was critical due to the requirements and scope of Control4, and the children having a smart school room at home.

Because we were able to design and build it from scratch, the network and IT equipment is fast and robust.

Ephraim Island has 400 residencies on an island that’s 500m in diameter, so Wi-Fi was a real challenge.

We successfully designed and configured a Wi-Fi mesh that is solid and reliable.

The final hand-over to the client was done in collaboration with the Interior Designer which turned out to be a wildly successful and celebratory event.