The e-magazine for KNX home & building control

Show Report: KNX at 100% Design

KNXdesign100% Design is the UK’s largest design trade event, attracting architects, specifiers and designers. This year, the event was held at the Grand Hall, Olympia London, from 23 – 26 Sept 2015.

There were all kinds of imaginative products and services on show to inspire building professionals, from fabulous flooring, worktop surfaces and furniture, to creative lighting and acoustic materials, plus everything in between. In addition, an increasing amount of building control technology was on show, including many products that support the worldwide standard KNX protocol.

The following is a taster of just some of the KNX technology that was exhibited:

A wide range of products could be found on the Home of Technologies (HoT) stand. These included switches from Tense and CJC; the NETx KNX OPC server that acts as a bridge between KNX and other systems; touchpanels from Divus; and switches, touchpanels, apps, actuators, frames and sockets and hotel HVAC controllers from Eelectron.

(Left) HoT's Rafal Borek showing Eelectron KNX switches on one of a number of Surfina wall surfaces, and (right) examples of Tense multitouch wall plates.
(Left) HoT’s Rafal Borek showing Eelectron KNX switches on one of a number of Surfina wall surfaces, and (right) examples of Tense multitouch wall plates.

For those interested in integrating multiroom audio with KNX, Jung was showing a KNX gateway to the Sonos music system. Jung controls can be used to operate up to 30 Sonos devices, together with traditional room functions such as lighting, shading and temperature. In addition, music can be played from a microSD card in the KNX Sonos gateway.

Jung's Andrew Taylor with the Jung KNX gateway for Sonos.
Jung’s Andrew Taylor with the Jung KNX gateway for Sonos.

Gira was previewing the new G1 controller that allows all functions to be activated by touching or gesturing on the multitouch display. The G1 operates as the central control unit for an entire building, and in conjunction with the Gira DCS-IP gateway, it can also be used as a home station. The G1 will be launched in Germany in October, and will be available in the UK in Q1 2016.

Also on the Gira stand were new Q-Label smoke detectors that have a permanently-installed battery with a ten-year life, and a new range of presence detectors with paintable bezels. For integrated audio applications, Revox was showing Voxnet on the Gira stand. The system offers multiroom audio up to 24-bit 192kHz quality, that follows you around the home, and a choice of wall controllers and speakers.

(Left) MyKNXStore's Joanne Forster demonstrating the Gira G1, and (right) Revox's Steve Croft with the Revox Voxnet audio system.
(Left) MyKNXStore’s Joanne Forster demonstrating the Gira G1, and (right) Revox’s Steve Croft with the Revox Voxnet audio system.

Basalte concentrated on multitouch controllers with a choice of switches in the Sentido range, including various metallic finishes, and a plaster-in switch. Also on show were Deseo thermostats, and the Eve iPad tabletop stand that has discrete connections and cabling.

(Top left) the plaster-in version of the Basalte Sentido being demonstrated by Ivory Egg's Scott Burgess, (top right) the Eve iPad stand being demonstrated by Basalte's Koen Dekyvere, and (bottom) examples of the Sentido with metallic finishes.
(Top left) the plaster-in version of the Basalte Sentido being demonstrated by Ivory Egg’s Scott Burgess, (top right) the Eve iPad stand being demonstrated by Basalte’s Koen Dekyvere, and (bottom) examples of the Sentido with metallic finishes.

Among the KNX offerings from ABB were comprehensive solutions for hotels, businesses and the home, plus new wall panels to suit the tastes of different markets, and a new presence detector. ABB also launched free@home, an entry-level home control system aimed primarily at electricians and simple MDU installations. While not based on the KNX protocol, it uses the same wiring system, and could therefore be upgraded to KNX at a later date.

(Left) ABB's Christian Schiemann showing the ABB KNX hotel solutions, and (right) the ABB free@home demonstration.
(Left) ABB’s Christian Schiemann showing the ABB KNX hotel solutions, and (right) the ABB free@home demonstration.

Finally, Vimar’s expanded KNX offering included its By-Com range of solutions that is suited to any kind of building. Designed to increase performance, comfort and energy savings in order to make buildings more intelligent and increase their value, these automation, security and communication systems are compatible, centralised and interoperable with KNX.

Vimar's Mark Green with a By-Com controller.
Vimar’s Mark Green with a By-Com controller.

Conclusion

100% Design is a great environment in which to see, try out and discuss a range of KNX technologies with well-informed suppliers, as well as to gain inspiration from the wider breadth of exhibits. It is well worth putting in your diary for next year.

www.100percentdesign.co.uk

Share on facebook
Share
Share on twitter
Tweet
Share on linkedin
Share

SPONSORS

Interra iX3 4” Touch Panel


Interra iX3 4” Touch Panel
A next-generation room controller that transforms environmental management. With integrated sensors for temperature, humidity, brightness, and air quality (optional ...

Intesis DALI to KNX PRO


Intesis DALI to KNX PRO
The new Intesis DALI-2 to KNX TP PRO Gateway is a multi-master application controller for DALI-2 ballast ...

Clever solution for existing KNX properties


Clever solution for existing KNX properties
Anyone who built their home over three decades ago with the European installation bus can now upgrade it with modern ...

Interra KNX AC Gateway


Interra KNX AC Gateway
Interra KNX AC Gateway: Smart Climate Control Solutions The Interra KNX AC Gateway offers an innovative solution for climate control ...