What is a smart home luxury villa?
What criteria make a connected home an upmarket property – also known colloquially as a “luxury villa”?
First of all: none of our clients would use this term to describe their new luxury home. Not even us. This term comes from the world of the glamor press, which does not delve into the details. But there are clear criteria that make a high-quality networked luxury villa a smart home at the highest level. And that ‘s exactly what this article is about.
Our short version: A smart home luxury villa is a prestigious house with a larger living space and often two, three or even four full storeys on a spacious plot. Luxury homes of this type have an elegant exterior and are furnished to a high standard. Modern smart home villas are characterized by a generous room layout and room heights of more than the usual 2.50 metres with large glass fronts. They are built with flat roofs as well as pitched or tent roofs.
The technical “smart home equipment”, which we will discuss in detail in this article and which is invisible from the outside in luxury homes, is very special.
Table of contents: Smart Home Luxury Villa
What characterizes a smart home villa?
First of all, a smart home luxury villa is no different from a conventional luxury villa from the outside. This is because a large proportion of the technical equipment and infrastructure concealed in ceilings and walls, invisible to the observer are. Only the absolute connoisseur will discover from the details that the building is a “smart home” at the highest level of expansion.
A luxury villa is a large and spacious home that is built and equipped with high-quality materials and solid technology. However, there are no fixed criteria for what characterizes a villa as a “luxury villa”, as this depends on various factors such as location, size, architecture and furnishings.
In our experience, if it is a new build from 2010 onwards, the luxury villa was often planned from the outset as a networked KNX smart home with a central bus system. The oldest smart home villas in Germany can be found on Lake Starnberg, Lake Tegernsee and especially in the suburbs of major cities such as Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt. From my own experience, I can say that the first smart home villas with a KNX system were built from 2003 onwards.
And what do smart home villas of all ages have in common? Firstly, the design and material appeal, which is at the very highest level. And the equipment, which we will discuss in detail in this article.
A smart home villa is planned and customized down to the smallest detail by an experienced architect, interior designer and smart home planner. After all, anyone building a smart home villa wants to realize their own personal home and implement the very latest technology. It is therefore always a kind of lighthouse project.
Frank Völkel
Only the specifications of the local development plan or the regulations of the surrounding development (in Germany §34 BauGB) restrict the individual wishes of the client. Often, the limits of the building regulations are explored by an experienced architect in such a way that it sometimes incomprehensible to outsiders what is possible with a creative building project. At least that’s my Experience.
A new-build villa is perfectly tailored to the client’s wishes, from the floor plan to the interior design and smart home technology equipment. With bus systems such as KNX, DALI/DMX lighting control and TCP/IP network as the “nervous system” of the house, a large number of blinds/curtains, many hundreds of lights and the room temperatures can be controlled automatically in, for example, 1,000 square meters of living space. Using a single switch – see also our article ” Comparison of the top 30 KNX push-buttons” – for example, all the lights and curtains in a 100 square meter room can be switched and adapted to requirements. This would not be possible with conventional technology.
A consistent operating concept is often used, which combines many lights into one scene and reduces operation to a minimum. The switches for controlling the rooms, also known as KNX push-buttons, are perfectly matched to the individual ambience in terms of color and material selection.
So anyone who assumes that a smart home villa requires a high affinity for technology and an understanding of how to operate and control it is very much mistaken. Most processes run automatically in the background and things such as access control when opening doors and gates are carried out keylessly using the residents’ identification features.
Frank Völkel
A smart home villa can be used flexibly: thanks to the generous living space, the owner can also use their villa to combine working and living under one roof or to accommodate guests at parties.
A smart home villa of 2024 is timeless and retains its value: The Smart Home Villa planning and construction are an investment that the owner can’t go wrong with. The demand for buildings of this type is high and in sought-after locations there is always a solvent buyer if you want to sell.
Added to this is the fact that there are very few existing smart home villas in Germany and just as few new homes are built each year. How many are there? According to our estimates, perhaps 100 to 150 new-build villas per year throughout Germany.
The number of smart home villas built from 2003 onwards is significantly larger and is now getting on in years. When ownership changes, the technology, which can be up to 20 years old, is often brought up to the latest technical standard. Nothing needs to be changed to the luxury villa floor plan. There are only adjustments to the components and the software.
Luxury villa: lots of privacy
They offer plenty of privacy: smart home villas are detached luxury homes with no direct neighbors. The larger the plot, the more peace and privacy they offer
They still exist, but they are still hard to find: Large plots of land with more than 1000 square meters without direct neighbors. They offer the perfect basis for a luxury villa floor plan. Plus the location in an economically strong region such as Munich, Stuttgart or Frankfurt, which are in the immediate vicinity. This allows the owner to combine two major advantages: On the one hand, peace and quiet and a retreat, and on the other, contacts in the business world, which can be found nearby in the form of many companies. Very often, theresident of a smart home villa issuccessful with their own business.
And this is also an important argument for the self-employed and entrepreneurs: with the right room layout, the “modern luxury villa” can also accommodate part of the company’s business premises. This means that the “luxury home” can be used flexibly: renting out part of the house as an office, vacation apartment or guest room can even help to finance the costly construction of the house.
Top 10 criteria: Smart Home Luxury Villa
KNX Smart Home and state-of-the-art home technology are a must! High-quality materials and stylish designs are also used for floor coverings, wall design, electronic switches and illuminated displays, floor-to-ceiling windows. The level of interior design is upscale; the interior and exterior should match perfectly.
1. large glass surfaces, panoramic view axes
Such an XXL window can take up an entire wall and, as a panoramic window, can even adorn an upmarket detached house.
This type of luxury apartment does not necessarily have to be in a high-rise building! Windows that extend over two walls or are installed as windows with a bench in front of them (heated, of course) are also considered pure luxury. The large windows should of course offer the option of being darkened by blinds.
This is the only way to ensure privacy even when the room behind is illuminated. If you don’t want all your neighbors to be offered a free cinema program, you should definitely opt for blinds, zip screens, external venetian blinds or roller blinds, which are of course electrically operated. Nobody stands in a luxury home and turns the hand crank to lower the blinds!
2nd foyer at the entrance: Luxury House
Who wants to show neighbors, insurance or bank representatives and uninvited visitors straight into the house? A smart home villa therefore has a lobby that is well equipped enough to hold longer meetings or even a business meeting.
A table is also indispensable, as are the sockets for charging electrical devices such as notebooks or tablets. If visitors have to wait, they can see the house functions on a large touchscreen (see Top 5 KNX Touch Panel) or are entertained with subtle music via a multi-room audio system. It is important that the lobby is very bright, the set light scene can provide the necessary feeling of well-being.
3. high-end kitchen: state-of-the-art appliances and equipment
Special materials, a luxurious look, high-quality design and the latest kitchen appliances come together in a high-end kitchen. When furnishing the kitchen, there are therefore several points to consider. Firstly, a certain generosity of space should be apparent. No narrow paths, a cooking island that runs all the way around, a separate dining table in its own separate living area and a generally airy impression are key. Then there are the electrical appliances, which are anything but standard and are now all networked .
Vario cooktop and oven
In the past, ovens and hobs were still a single unit. Nowadays, it has been recognized that it is much more ergonomic and back-friendly if the oven is positioned at viewing or working height. This makes it easier for users to operate – for example when removing or inserting food. Many ovens can now be integrated into the KNX smart home control system and controlled by voice command if required.
Thanks to this intelligent networking, cooking and baking programs can be stopped or started remotely. It is also a great advantage if you are no longer sure whether you have switched the appliance off. Some smart ovens offer seasonal recipe ideas and the corresponding settings for preparation via apps. These automatic programs also help inexperienced cooks to ensure that the food is cooked to perfection. Sensor-controlled ovens regularly monitor the food and adjust the settings accordingly.
Steam cooker
Cooking with steam is a gentle and healthy way of cooking. These built-in appliances complement the hob and oven. They simplify steam cooking with the option of preparing food in a controlled and energy-saving way.
Extractor fan: Automatic activation of the airsuction
An extractor hood is an integral part of kitchen planning. The extractor hood is installed directly above the stove or kitchen island with hob to prevent the vapors from spreading throughout the room. Current extractor hoods, such as those from Miele, are networked with the hob so that the air extraction system switches on automatically when the hob is in use.
Refrigerator: 300 liters and 5°C
Not all refrigerators are the same.
Freezer: 500 liters and -18°C
As the successor to the previously popular chest freezer, the freezer impresses with greater convenience, lower energy consumption and a look that can be adapted to the kitchen fronts.
Wine refrigerator
Storing wine in a traditional wine cellar is not an option for most wine lovers. And that there is still a spacious cellar in the basement. The disadvantage of modern smart home villas in 2023: The unheated cellar as in historic villas from the last century no longer exists. Wine storage in a refrigerated wine cabinet is therefore a good choice. So if you want to keep your quality wines within easy reach and under control, equip your kitchen with a special wine refrigerator.
Coffee machine
The discerning coffee drinker relies on a portafilter machine that is stylishly integrated into the kitchen furniture.
Warming drawer
The warming drawer is a suitable addition to the oven, steam cooker or fully automatic coffee machine. But warming drawers can do more than just keep dishes warm. They can be used to simplify a number of processes in the kitchen. It is therefore a useful gadget, a nice-to-have kitchen appliance that may not necessarily be part of the kitchen equipment, but is useful when it is there.
Vacuum drawer
As the name suggests, a vacuum drawer can create a vacuum and seal food airtight. The term vacuum comes from Latin and means “emptiness”, i.e. an airless space. Colloquially, the term is also used for the vacuum packaging of food, although strictly speaking only a rough vacuum is created. A little residual air always remains in the film packaging beyond the food.
Oxygen is a key cause of food spoilage. By removing most of the oxygen from the packaging during vacuum packing, the shelf life of the food is extended. Not only does it stay fresh for longer, but the nutrients and vitamins, taste, consistency and color are also preserved.
Several dishwashers
There are usually several dishwashers in a luxury home: In the actual kitchen, fully integrated into the kitchen furniture, and then again in the pantry, often referred to as the preparation kitchen. When using appliances from Miele or Gaggenau, the dishwashers are optionally networked with each other and can also be integrated into the home control system with KNX. The benefit? Time control and status of the respective appliances can be controlled via touchscreens on the wall or on the table.
Scenic lighting
Multiroom audio/entertainment
4. in-house fitness studio
- Treadmill with cardio equipment
- Rowing machine
- Bicycle
- Strength training equipment and weight bench
5. spa area with whirlpool
First of all, what does “spa” mean: sanitas per aquam = health through water. Few things are as characteristic of luxury as a spa area in the basement of a house. The outdoor whirlpool in particular sets the tone in the garden and is the perfect way for homeowners to switch off from everyday life and recharge their batteries. The bubbling, warm water relaxes, allows the occupant to calm down mentally and ensures that the muscles also recover, making the whirlpool indispensable not only for people who love luxury, but also for athletes who want to recover quickly after training.
A free-standing bath with a view of the greenery is set in scene, placement of a central, spacious walk-in shower area, maximum daylight through sliding doors to the balcony area, large-format floor tiles with a seamless look emphasize the symmetry of the room, placement of a beloved work of art on a smooth trowelled wall surface. What equipment is particularly important in a large spa area?
- Sauna
- Swimming pool
- Cold water basin
- Steam shower
- KNX touchscreens
- Scenic lighting
- Multiroom audio zones
- Ventilation system
6. utility room: plenty of space and storage space
A utility room is an important storage space that complements the kitchen and utility rooms such as the pantry and storerooms. In modern homes with limited space, a utility room is now rarely included in the floor plan. However, it is often overlooked that the functions of this additional storage space have not disappeared. When planning a kitchen, however, there are ways to ensure that the benefits of a utility room can be retrofitted.
7. high-quality lighting: more than 300 individual lights
Lighting is of course part of furnishing a luxury house or apartment. The whole house needs to be bright, and the lighting should also skillfully set the scene for the furnishings. This means working with spotlights to emphasize certain accents of the furnishings and illuminate individual areas particularly well.
At the same time, of course, bright neon tubes are not used here, the sole aim of which is to bring as much light into the room as possible, but which in no way look beautiful or stylish. Chandeliers are therefore still a popular variant that stands for luxury and there are still variants that are somewhat reminiscent of the fairytale castles of times gone by.
Of course, lamps and luminaires can also be chosen in a very purist style. They hang coldly and soberly from the ceiling and only reveal their beauty when they are switched on. The lighting must be coordinated with the furnishings to create a harmonious and stylish look. It is not an ideal opportunity for a break in style!
8. large terrace or balcony
Regardless of whether it’s a luxury apartment or a luxury house, a roof terrace is a must. It should be large enough to accommodate a sun lounger or armchair, and ideally several pieces of patio furniture can be set up so that the next summer party can be moved here.
When furnishing the patio or XL balcony, the homeowner should stick to a theme and not mix different styles. For example, if you want to work with lots of large plants and create a kind of jungle, you should concentrate on plants from one region of origin. It is no coincidence that there are now numerous service providers who focus on the design of terraces, as there are countless subtleties to consider here.
9th bathroom: wellness oasis
One of the most important criteria for luxury homes is the bathroom. Elegant fittings are desired, marble and porcelain stoneware are the order of the day. It is in the bathroom that a luxury home reveals itself, as there are only a few pieces of furniture that can support the tasteful impression.
The bathroom is often located directly next to the master bedroom and can also be accessed from there. Guests have their own bathroom, which is also equipped to a very high standard. In a smart home with high-end fittings, the guest bathroom has a shower and bath.
10. dressing room
Of course, both partners have separate dressing rooms! This way, the lady of the house can surprise the man when it comes to going out in the evening. In addition, neither partner has a direct view of what clothes are available, which should please the ladies in particular. Dressing rooms should be equipped with a chair, sufficient space and well-lit mirrors. Plus, of course, lighting in the wardrobe
Private airfield for helicopters: Not in Germany!
This is where the world of German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) differs from that of other European countries: owners and residents of a Smart Home luxury villa can take off and land on their own property with a helicopter or airplane, provided the requirements are met. This is only possible outside the D-A-CH area!
While a helicopter requires comparatively little space on the property for take-off and landing, an airplane needs its own runway. This is at least 250 meters long and 10 meters wide. Legislation in countries such as Italy (including South Tyrol), France and Spain allows private helicopters and private airplanes to have their own landing strips. There are regulations regarding the distance to the building of the Smart Home Villa, which vary from country to country and must be observed in any case.
