18 March 2015

Architectural Highlight with Media Comfort

AUDITORIUM integrated a complex multiroom multimedia system into a modern, open home with advanced planning, using Revox, Gira, and Bowers & Wilkins for seamless audio, video, and smart control in all areas, including outdoors.

by Olaf Adam

An open, bright architecture on different levels, with large windows, no doors, and only a few walls – this extremely modern design approach posed very special challenges for the AUDITORIUM team when planning the multimedia integration. But with a keen sense for the customer's wishes and our trusted partners like Revox, Gira, and Bowers & Wilkins, this project was also successfully implemented.

Modern kitchen with stylish design and integrated media features, showcasing contemporary architecture for elegant living and cooking. — Modern kitchen with stylish design: An architectural highlight with integrated media comfort. Perfect for stylish living and cooking.

Multiroom needs planning

Close and competent coordination with the architects and all trades involved in the construction is always an important foundation for any project of this kind. But in the case of this new build in a sought-after lakeside location in the eastern Ruhr area, this was especially true, as the very open and clear design of the rooms made the planning challenging from a technical perspective alone. Every detail, from cable routing to the number and placement of power sockets, had to be carefully considered in advance, as subsequent changes would have been virtually impossible. And of course, with such high-quality interior design, the size, position, and appearance of all visible components like ceiling speakers and control panels had to be taken into account already in the design phase.

Modern architecture with elegant light switch design and minimalist blinds influencing the interplay of light in the room. — Modern architecture with stylish light switch design that combines comfort and elegance. Perfectly complemented by the simple aesthetics of blinds, which influence the play of light in the room.

Revox HomeServer

The heart of the system is once again a multiroom system from Revox. In addition to the robust and extremely stable technology in operation, it is always the integration of the controls into the switch program from Gira that convinces our customers. So, in this project too, there are numerous rows of switches that discreetly combine the operation of the multiroom system, lighting control, and other functions. Communication within the system runs via the KNX bus, and thanks to the integration of the Gira HomeServer, all components can also be controlled via app from smartphone or tablet. In the cinema room on the ground floor, there is also a permanently installed touch panel for accessing all functions.

GIRA Control 9 smart building control system perfectly integrated into modern architecture. — GIRA Control 9: Smart building control for the highest demands. Perfect integration into modern architecture.

Music in all rooms, TV as needed

Even though the architecture is very open, different listening zones are of course clearly defined in the multiroom system. For example, even though they are not separate rooms, the in-ceiling speakers from Sonance in the kitchen and listening area can be controlled with separate audio signals, but can also be grouped together easily. In the elegantly designed kitchen, a TV suspended from the ceiling also invites you to cook along live with your favorite cooking show's recipes. Upstairs, the spa bathroom and the bedroom are defined as listening areas. A 47-inch flat TV can also be folded out of the bedroom ceiling for relaxed evenings watching TV.

A retractable TV seamlessly integrated into a bedroom ceiling, saving space and adding modern style. — An architectural highlight: A retractable television offers modern media comfort in the bedroom. Perfectly integrated into the ceiling, it saves space and creates a stylish ambiance.

In the basement, in addition to the wellness area, the home cinema room is also integrated into the system. Here, great sound is provided by an AV receiver from Marantz in combination with high-quality in-wall speakers from Bowers & Wilkins. Alongside the locally installed Blu-ray player, a media server configured by AUDITORIUM serves as the source, and its content is, of course, available to the entire multiroom system. And last but surely not least, the system provides for two listening zones outdoors, so that the owners can also comfortably enjoy their favorite music there in summer.

Modern living room with a media server streaming Angus & Julia Stone, featuring a wall display and minimalist furniture. — Modern living room design with integrated media server: music streaming from Angus & Julia Stone on a stylish wall display. Elegant, minimalist furniture completes the architectural highlight.

Accompanying and implementing this exceptional and elaborate project was a lot of fun for the whole AUDITORIUM team and once again proved that, with sufficient advance planning, practically anything is possible when it comes to media integration. You can find more examples of our successfully implemented projects on the auditorium website.

More images:

Modern dining room with elegant design, city winter view, stylish accents, and clean architectural lines. — A modern dining room with elegant design and a view of a wintry cityscape. Stylish accents and clean lines create an architectural highlight.