Continual Professional Development

An introduction to Smart Home & Home Cinema solutions

Accredited RIBA & BIID CPD briefings

Automated Spaces offer a range of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) & BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) certified continual professional development (CPD) briefings related to smart home technologies. 


Further details are summarised below:

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Insightful briefings

The briefings are delivered in an environment where you can deeply immerse yourself in the concepts and technologies being discussed in the materials.


The venue is the Automated Spaces’ real-world 3 bedroom house that has been thoroughly transformed into a fully functioning and completely hands-on ‘Smart Home’ show house.

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Time efficient sessions

For those with limited time; short briefings, of approximately 1 hour each, on the individual topics can be booked.

Or, for those who want to maximise the number of hours of learning during a single visit; it is also possible to arrange for a grouping of any of the 5 available briefings to be delivered back-to-back over a longer session.

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Structured CPDs

Each briefing is classified in the ‘General Awareness’ learning level of the RIBA CPD.

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Scheduling flexibility

Briefings can be held during the day or alternatively at the end of the working day if more convenient.

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CPD core curriculum

The briefings fall within the RIBA CPD Core Curriculum; Design, Construction and Technology.


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Show house guided tour

Guided tours of the Automated Spaces’ ‘Smart Home’ show house can be provided.

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CPD certificates

Certificates will be provided

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Refreshments

Refreshments are provided as part of your training

CPD & Smart Home Show House Tour Feedback

We have been privileged to host over 50 individual architects at our smart home show house and conduct CPD briefings for 18 local architect practices, here are just some of the feedback comments:

"Really beneficial to have the tour to physically demonstrate the actual use of the various tech"

Chris Woods - Director - BRP Architects (www.brp-architects.com)

"I would highly recommend the tour, Automated Spaces' passion for smart home tech and their wealth of knowledge is clear to see through this well thought out demonstration house"

Suzi Wong  - Principle Director -  Grey Rose Architects (www.greyrosearchitects.com)

"Great Knowledgeable CPD"

Laura McMullan  - Director -  Hayward McMullan Architects Ltd (www.haywardmcmullan.com)

"Great CPD, very interesting and informative"

Sarah Mickowski - Director - SMARTECH Design (www.smartechdesign.co.uk)

"Amazing systems, really relevant to the modern tech savvy client and those looking for convenience alike"

Karaan Sabherwal - Architectural Technologist - Swain Architecture (www.swainarchitecture.com)

"The tour was very informative & well presented. I will definitely take the information forward with our domestic clients"

John Hackman - Managing Director - The Drawing Room (Architects) (www.tdrarchitects.co.uk)

Designing the connected home

This CPD explores at the design and installation of technology in the connected home. It will question why good design is so essential in the connected home and the possibilities for integrating technology in projects.


By the end of the CPD you should have a greater understanding of:

  • Why architects should discuss technology with their clients
  • The possibilities for technology in projects and the associated processes
  • Infrastructure
  • Wired v Wireless
  • Smart home solutions
  • Light & Shade
  • Climate Control
  • Security
  • Entertainment
  • User Interfaces
  • Design Aesthetics
  • Wall Acne & App Acne
  • Integrated Control – The Alternative
  • Automation
  • Energy Management
  • Home Health 

Cabling for the integrated home

This CPD will discuss the Smart Home. It will begin with a definition of the Smart Home, before moving on to explore topics including The Internet of Things, entertainment, modern building methods, bandwidth and Smart Home wiring infrastructure.


By the end of the seminar you should have a greater understanding of:

 

  • Key vocabulary and phrases
  • Basic design principles
  • What is required to cable an ‘Integrated Home’
  • Key metrics/space
  • When to ask for guidance or professional assistance

 

Designing home cinemas and media rooms

Digital entertainment plays a huge part in the modern lifestyle and is something that can be truly astounding when experienced in the correct environment. Dedicated and convertible entertainment spaces need careful thought and professional design to perform well, and ultimately wow the homeowner. Discover the principles of how to design and implement these entertainment spaces.


This CPD will help you to understand the following topics:

 

  • Understand the difference between a home cinema and a media room and the basic vocabulary used
  • Understand how to raise awareness of home cinemas and media rooms, how to help clients choose and specify rooms and raise the standard of the rooms
  • Understand all the components that make a good home cinema room and media room
  • Understand the design principles of sound and vision
  • Understand how to work with a system designer and look at requirements

 

Introduction to Integrated Lighting Design

This CPD aims to discuss the power of integrated lighting – exploring how the feeling of a space can be completely transformed by altering the intensity, placement and colour of light.


It emphasises how integrated lighting design will allow you to achieve this in a powerfully holistic manner, alongside simplifying the control and application completely.


By the end of the presentation, you should have a greater understanding of:

  • Various types of lighting 
  • Differentiate between different lighting design techniques
  • Understand the role light quality plays into lighting design
  • Explore design considerations as you begin to lay out the plans for integrated lighting
  • Identify when a technology professional should be involved in the design process


 

Outdoor Technology: Extending the Living Space

Today’s homes have technology everywhere – inside and out!


This CPD reviews how you can help clients maximise the usefulness of their outdoor spaces. It will cover a wide range of outdoor solutions from lighting, audio, Wi-Fi coverage, heating, motorised sun shades, pool & spa control, irrigation, security and access control


Discussed within the CPD are the following elements:

 

  • Know how to list technology options for outdoor spaces
  • Understand outdoor project site evaluations
  • Identify how environmental conditions influence outdoor technologies
  • Review infrastructure and equipment needs/options
  • Examine control options and real-world applications

 

Understanding and specifying invisible sound solutions

We also partner with Amina Technologies Ltd who can deliver this CPD at our smart home show house.


This CPD explores the options available to architects to include sound into their projects, for entertainment, ambience, education or safety with zero visual intrusion into the look and feel of a property. Ideal for modern minimalist or historic properties in both residential and commercial applications the speakers are rendered invisible through plastering over, or up to, or installing behind other materials such as wood or leather.


It will help you to understand the following topics:

 

  • Understand how invisible loudspeakers work using Vibrational Panel Technology, VPT
  • Understand integration of invisible sound solutions into new and historic properties
  • Understand both residential and commercial applications, with case studies
  • Understand what to consider when using VPT as opposed to conventional loudspeakers 

CPD venue & bookings

Automated Spaces, 57 Holland Road, Melton Mowbray, LE13 0LU


If you have any further questions or would like to arrange your CPD Briefing feel free to connect with us.

Connect with us to book your CPD

CPD previous attendees

The following photographs are of some of the attendees who completed a tour of our smart home show house and participated in a CPD. 


  • Photograph of Stephen George + Partners attending a CPD at Automated Spaces

  • Photograph of Swain Architecture attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


  • Photograph of BRP Architects attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


  • Photograph of Mark Goodwill-Hidgson attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


  • Photograph of Latham Architects attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


  • Photograph of Low Carbon Box and Leaf Architecture attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


  • Photograph of IMA Architects attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


  • Photograph of HSSP Architects attending a CPD at Automated Spaces



  • Photograph of HSSP Architects attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


  • Photograph of JP Player Architects attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


  • Photograph of The Drawing Room (Architects) Architect John Hackman attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


  • Photograph of Hickman and Smith Architects attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


  • Photograph of Henry Mein Partnership Ltd attending a CPD at Automated Spaces


References

[1] CEDIA : An international home technology trade association for companies that represent every facet of the ever-evolving technology market ( www.cedia.net )

[2] Amina Invisible Speakers : One of the world's leading designer and manufacturer of Invisible Speakers. With a range of different construction methods and finishing techniques ( https://uk.aminasound.com )