In the current world with internet of things (IoTs), smartness mean varied things to different people. Is it about brains or brainy devices? Smart TV, Smart watch, smart fridge,… generally a smart world! Well, in the same trend of 'wit', the house has joined the list of these smart ‘devices’. How can the home be termed as a device? Yes it is! Take a look…
Mr Lam drives home in the evening, and just about 10 M to his gate, it automatically slides open, to let him in and closes immediately the car drives in. The garage door then rolls up almost simultaneously as the security lights turn on and a warming voice automatically goes “Welcome home Love, our son missed you”. The various rooms in the house then light up; boys’ room goes blue, girls’ room goes pink and the master space goes yellow. A sequence of automated events then follow as Mr Lam greets the family, taps the smartphone to lock the doors behind, release the German Shepherd and activate the electric fence at the home’s border.
Any tech savvy person must admire Mr Lam’s way of operation which is just part of an illustrative scenario in a smart home. The home in such a setup is like a larger device interacting with the user in similar manner as other electronic devices.
In a smart home
A smart home excites the inhabitants by going beyond the basic ‘floor, wall & roof’ and incorporating technology into it to enhance the experience. Home amenities are fitted with communication technology that allow automation and remote control. Various aspects of the house are interconnected and controlled from on an interactive surface. Home appliances become responsive, home security systems digitized, home entertainment systems get remotely controlled while environmental systems like air conditioning, heating and lighting are digitally monitored. The technical scope of smart homes can go as wide as possible, including responsive façades, smart roofs, etc. The utilitarian features however include the ability to control your energy, water and security aspects from your gadgets using applications from any location. Therefore, Mr Lam is also able to see a visitor approaching his gate while he is still in the office and Mrs Lam can turn off that loud music being played by the nanny while they are away. Most importantly, Mr Lam can ensure the energy and water consumption is within budget since some phone application alerts him whenever the lobby lights are on unnecessarily and switches them off.
The Cost and Benefit
Evidently, every tech enthusiast would adore a space like Mr Lam’s. While the installation costs could be quite significant, the benefits are worth the investment.
Firstly, the convenience that comes with it is a gain. Physical handling is reduced, smart tracking and surveillance enhances the security of your space and the human error is eliminated.
The smart monitoring that comes with it also reduces energy consumption, water wastage and reduces costs in the long run.
Several other costs are also eliminated like the gatekeeper, housekeepers and even pet handlers. This saves you a great deal!
As with design where one thing leads to another, smart home systems may need proper security to the data especially since everything operates within a network.
Installation technically involves fitting various smart gadgets and fittings. These include smart lighting bulbs, smart door locks, video doorbells, smart plugs, motorized blinds for all windows, thermostats, security cameras, alarm systems, smart garden irrigation systems, and robotic vacuum cleaners among many more. With that in mind, how much would it cost you to have a smart home? According to analytical data by Gearbrain, a 4 bedroom house would cost about KES 1.5 Million to install basic smart systems, exclusive of the house construction cost. Another estimation by FIXr, also predicts KES 1-1.5 Million as the cost to automate a similar house including smart lighting, smart plugs, smart locks, thermostats and security cameras. Going by these figures, one would prepare about KES 10-15 Million to build such a house off the city, including the land cost. Does this give us an idea of Mr Lam’s smart home cost? Well, his case must be way beyond this as it involves more features like voice recognition, motion sensors and artificial intelligence. Depending on the level of automation and the size of house, the installation cost can go as high as the owner’s ambitions. It however remains a very reasonable venture.
In Kenya
A number of developers have made effort to create such homes in Kenya for sale. The main challenge for such developers is the market response, as most Kenyans deem it expensive. However, since the figures speak louder, you can make a judgement based on your muscles and your desire. When considering to do such a home, communicate to your designer upfront, to ensure the provisions are made in the planning. At DezynBild Consult, we are keen to such details for the benefit of your dream experience, which a smart home would provide. What is your techie dream? Smart? Mr Lam has it and we advocate for it too! We are enthusiastic to make your techie dream.
Image Credits: Live Science
Great piece. I'm the next Mr. Lam, I Mr. Eck
Nice piece.I bet the market response will gradually improve in this decade
Great piece, am a techie and I would like an automated home. The cost doest look so high, at the end it helps you save on other things like wages on labour and unnecessary consumption of electricity.
Great piece. Smart homes shall soon be the new normal.
Nice piece
Very interesting piece. The future is smart!💯
Wow this is an interesting piece. The cost is also affordable considering the advantages in the long run and the sustainability it brings. I hope Kenyan market will open up for this kind of smart homes.. It will take time but i think, eventually, people will shift
Thanks for the feedback. @ECK we are here for you, we shall make you the next Mr Lam. Bwana Bill, yes we see the market getting smarter in the future. @Ian Danny as a techie, you will need such a space. Thank you @Namatsi, @Tony Chekz and @ Eric Muthama. @Sharon Kiplagat we are glad you noticed the costs. We look forward to doing such houses in the market more often.
Wow! Detailed blog👏👏👏👏 thank you!
Kudos for the informative piece. Your thoughts have articulated a topic that will define postmodernism. Thanks and keep up Arch.
Simply amazing.. This definitely the future!!
Smart homes coupled up with AI is definitely the future of the industry. Not 'if' but 'when'.
Wow.. very interesting..I guess this is the next phase we ought to get to.On the cost& benefit analysis,the benefits overweigh the cost and so I must stretch my muscles to be the next mr.Lam.
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This article is a brilliant exploration of the transformative power of smart home. It's truly remarkable how these innovations are reshaping our daily lives in profound ways.
Thank you for this thought-provoking and enlightening piece. I'm eager to see how smart home technology will evolve in the coming years.
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