Understanding The Plan

Today the architect began sketching for his latest design project, a residential property nearby. The project had all the earmarks of an ideal engagement: a large lot, clients with a vision, resources to support that vision, and a full slate of subcontractors to complete the work. What could possibly go wrong? As he contemplated the blank sheet in front of him, the architect ruefully recalled the answer to that question: presenting detailed project drawings to contractors who fail to read them correctly.

Perhaps other architects recognize the scenario. The design firm produces project drawings, meticulously detailed and revealing in elevation and plan view how each element of the home automation and audiovisual systems relate both to each other and back to power distribution. When the design team meets over the completed plans, the audiovisual contractors start asking tons of questions betraying the reality that they have no idea what the drawings mean. This begins a downward spiral for the project, as information in plain sight on paper must be conveyed verbally, wasting valuable time. Even worse, they might suggest the wrong size speaker boxes or perhaps misjudge the projector’s throw size, thus jeopardizing the client’s vision and wasting more time.

Shuddering, the architect shunned the memory of previous jobs and scanned the list of the subcontractors on his new project. Relieved he located the AV contractor and recognized the name of a reputable ESC (electronic systems contractor) he’d done business with before. He knew that the teams installing the home automation systems would arrive at the job site with their own meticulously detailed drawings. They would have already studied his drawings and culled from them exactly the information they need to complete their work. In short, they’ll contribute to the timely execution of the vision, while causing no pain at all.

Finding a high quality ESC to work with will enhance the value of your projects and minimize the pain associated with bringing them to completion on time and under budget. Visit us at www.kiwiav.com to learn more.

Best Laid Plans – The Architect and A/V Challenges

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows a significant upward trend in the number of “owner built” homes over the course of the last four years. While the number of “spec homes” has remained high, it has dropped from 80% of all homes on the market to just 2/3, and homeowners have been finding ways to create homes that are not simply well-built, but that are built with their needs in mind.

In order to create a custom-built home, owners must deal with a number of professionals, and chief among those professionals are architects. The overall “vision” of any home project rests with the architect, and a great deal of responsibility for the reaction of the homeowner to their new home lies in their hands. Unfortunately, architects are often confronted with tradesmen and contractors that are not able to deliver on time or are unable to live up to the high standards of professionalism demanded by architectural work. One area where this can be a significant issue is in high-quality audio-visual installation.


Sounds like A Good Idea – The Role of A/V in a Custom Home

For owners who have the means to build their own home and the time to invest in making sure their vision of the home is achieved, high-end audio-visual equipment and home theater systems are often high on the list of “must-haves.” With a myriad of options now available for home theater systems – from wireless control options to whole-home entertainment and thermostat operations panels – homeowners have more than ever to choose from. In order to ensure that their preferred A/V system is installed correctly, a homeowner must hire a professional installation company that not only sells the products they want, but services them as well. Unfortunately, these companies can often present a problem for architects.

Start To Finish – Where Architects See A/V

For an A/V technician, a home is seen as a place to be made more entertaining – they see how a big screen television, surround sound system and 3D projector assembly could make the home more enjoyable.

For an architect, an A/V system is merely a small part of the overall plan, and the technician that comes to install it must not only know what they are doing, but be able to do it within the guidelines set out by the design. Plans for homes are specific, down to the last inch and detail, and A/V technicians who are sloppy in their installation or unprofessional in their conduct can make a home building project extremely difficult. Even worse are installation companies with little coordination or scheduling abilities – an architect needs to know when each contractor will be coming to work, and when the work will be done.

Architects and A/V technicians can co-exist, but a dedicated and knowledgeable A/V technician is required in order to help a custom home plan to stand out from the crowd.