Outdoor Lifestyle, Remuera

By Designer AV

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This project began as an extensive outdoor renovation for owner John Love. The original idea was relatively simple - create an outdoor audio zone with outdoor lighting that could be controlled from inside the house.

Solutions selected           

After meeting with John and working through his initial plans, it became clear that a more extensive automation design was required to meet the family’s lifestyle requirements.

Visual - John wanted an outdoor TV that was hidden when not in use. After some discussion we proposed a hidden projector located inside the pergola structure that would project onto one of the electric curtains that provide shelter in the pergola.

Audio -  The number of speaker zones grew from a couple of speakers to 7 outdoor audio zones. John then proposed we upgrade the inside speaker system so we added another 3 zones – which was a great way to make sure the adults and kids could watch and listen to their own programmes simultaneously. The TV room also got the full treatment with a high end custom sound bar, matching in-wall surround speakers, a hidden subwoofer under the TV cabinet, along with the Sony 65” TV.

Lighting - At the front of the house we added control of the garden lighting, a new gate and an intercom system. You could say the original brief blossomed into a larger project, and the result was a client who was over the moon about their new lifestyle at home. 

Full automation - A louvered roof and curtains were also added to the automation system, along with a motorised pool cover.

Hardware used

We use Control4 as the main automated system, allowing John and his family to control the music and projector from inside the house, along with the lights and pool cover.

Finished Result

Everything works like a charm, and the family couldn’t be happier. They now have a beautiful area to sit in on warm summer nights and watch movies together.

“Derek took our complex retrofitting project and made the whole process easy. He helped us get our heads around what was possible – and now we love having a fully automated house that has actually made our lives easier.”

— JOHN LOVE, REMUERA

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Outdoor Lifestyle, Remuera

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About the
Professional

Smart homes, home automation - call it what you will but there is a revolution going on in the homes of New Zealand, and Designer AV are the team to bring this technology to you.

Derek Crane is one of New Zealand’s leading experts in home automation.

With a background in electrical engineering, Derek has always had a passion for audio, and it was through installing Hi-Fi equipment that he eventually progressed into home automation.

From those early days installing home audio, as the technology grew, so did Derek’s skills. With the advent of WiFi and smartphones, technology had finally caught up with the dream of an automated home, opening the door to a world of convenience, ease, and simplicity. 

Back in the day, there were very few people who were offering full home automation, and with his background as a Sparky, Derek was one of the few people in the country who could understand and install the emerging technology.

From the beginning, Derek understood the potential in having all your devices work together in a seamless arrangement. Lighting, heating, video, music, and security can all be controlled with the touch of a button, from the sofa or the other side of the world, keeping your family warm and safe.

A decade of experience

For the past decade, Derek and his wife Michelle have been helping people get the most out of their technology and experiencing safer, smarter living through home automation.  

They pride themselves on exceeding the expectations of clients, and to make sure their products are up to the task, they test all the equipment in their own home first before suggesting it to clients.

Smarter homes

Derek is one of the most respected and trusted names in the business, and together with his team of industry-leading home automation specialists, he transforms modern Kiwi homes into wonders of modern technology and convenience. 

Once you have experienced the mind-blowing daily life of a fully automated home, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.