Behind every connected home is a discreet layer of infrastructure that has been carefully thought through and coordinated with the project team.

Mark Hailey, Group Construction Director at Knowles, sat down with Chris Thorne, Managing Director at Imperium, to discuss what it takes to deliver a truly connected home and the aftercare that continues beyond the build.

Imperium designs, installs and manages fully integrated technology for the luxury, prime and super-prime residential market.

Building and coordinating the delivery team early matters. When designers, contractors and specialist trades understand the client’s vision from the outset, through coordination and communication it allows us to successfully manage change and challenges as they arise, all while protecting the programme.

“We often revisit conversations with clients as the project develops. What they imagined two years before construction isn’t always how they want the house to operate by the time they’re ready to move in. Those conversations need to evolve throughout the project.” Mark Hailey, Knowles

For Imperium, the risk is starting those conversations too late.

“The reality is that teams are often designing blind. Environmental systems and user experience are still being considered too late in the process, which inevitably leads to compromise later on.” Chris Thorne, Imperium

The work doesn’t end after the build. Knowles’ Aftercare division supports clients long after they move in, keeping the technology, and everything around it, performing across the lifecycle of the home.

“For all of our clients, aftercare is just as important, if not more important, than getting the house finished in the first place.” Mark Hailey, Knowles

A connected home works best when the technology sits discreetly in the background – designed and built long before the client arrives, and performing long after.

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