At the "Lauterterrassen" residential development in Kirchheim unter Teck, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, five modern buildings comprising a total of 26 owner-occupied apartments were retrospectively equipped with advanced KNX technology from PEAKnx. This upgrade replaced a previously underperforming smart home installation within the existing development. The step-by-step transition from Control4 to PEAKnx demonstrates how demanding automation requirements can be implemented in a structured, future-oriented and sustainable manner.
From residential vision to system retrofit
The “Lauterterrassen” residential development was initiated by the local managing director of Meco GmbH & Co. KG, who realised his vision of a contemporary housing quarter in collaboration with the architectural practice k:ay architekten. Apartment owners were largely able to design their units individually, including flexible floor plans and customised technical specifications. The development was originally equipped with Control4 touchscreens and the associated visualisation software. However, the system did not provide satisfactory integration of heating or ventilation control, and remote access capabilities were also limited.
Comprehensive system retrofit across 26 units
Based on previous project experience, system integrator Artur Burghardt of Burghardt Systems in Eislingen recommended migrating to PEAKnx. In close coordination with the client and our support team, all 26 apartments were equipped with our Control 12 touch panels and our in-house YOUVI visualisation. The existing installation was re-engineered and expanded with additional components, including security modules designed to prevent external tampering.
Implementation was carried out step by step, unit by unit, with each apartment individually configured to match the existing building services infrastructure.
The panels were installed in a bespoke technical cabinet located in the kitchen area, which also houses the heating manifold, main water supply and electrical distribution board. The cabinet door, colour-matched to the respective interior design scheme, is flush-mounted and features a push-to-open mechanism. In most apartments, the Control 12 was installed directly into the cabinet door using the flush-mounted (in-wall) variant. In one unit, a fully flush-integrated installation of the touch panel was implemented as a premium option.
Powered by YOUVI, the new panels provide a clearly structured user interface, expandable logic functionality and integrated remote access via the Gira S1 interface.
YOUVI in operation: visualisation, logic and remote maintenance
Our YOUVI visualisation provides centralised control of the following integrated functions:
- Lighting, blinds and heating (standard in all apartments)
- Demand-based ventilation control (decentralized BluMartin units connected to KNX via BluHome Connect)
- Door communication (2N) and video surveillance (Axis) - main entrances in all buildings, with optional integration of cameras in the refuse area and car lift, accessible via touch panel or smartphone
- Daikin air conditioning (scheduled for future integration in one apartment via a KNX interface and visualised within YOUVI)
- Audio systema (Trivum) via the corresponding YOUVI bridge
- Awning control (articulated arm awnings) via a Somfy push-button interface with virtual status feedback; a logic function cyclically monitors and controls the rain alarm
In several apartments, scenes and automation routines were implemented using the YOUVI logic module.
Remote maintenance is enabled via the Gira S1 interface. The system integrator can securely access the respective panel from a Windows PC using TeamViewer to review configurations or troubleshoot faults. Given the number of units and their individual configurations, this capability is a key operational advantage.
Support throughout the entire project lifecycle
Implementation of the modernisation project began in March 2024 and, through to the end of the year, included system testing, individual user briefings and fine-tuning. For some residents, the transition to the new interface required a short adjustment period; however, targeted training sessions and ongoing support ensured a smooth adoption.
Burghardt Systems continues to provide support beyond project completion, backed by PEAKnx assistance for software updates and bug fixes. “With PEAKnx and YOUVI, we were able to implement full building automation functionality, create automation routines, integrate the door communication system and external cameras, while ensuring straightforward and intuitive operation,” says Artur Burghardt of Burghardt Systems.
Conclusion: smart building technology, successfully retrofitted and sustainably supported
The “Lauterterrassen” project serves as a compelling example of a successful system upgrade within an existing development. Functionality previously unavailable in terms of user comfort and control was fully implemented through the PEAKnx solution – including app-based access, heating control, media integration and maintenance-friendly remote access provided by the system integrator.
Thanks to the Control 12, residents across the 26 apartments now benefit from a modern, elegantly integrated and future-ready smart home system, tailored to their individual living concepts.
