With smart home technology, which is now considered standard for new buyers, developers such as energy-efficient, user-friendly systems can be integrated into everyday life environments. The global Smart Home market is expected to grow by +23% CAGR from 2025 to 2032Driven by the demand for more intelligent, more connected life around the world.
According to 2023 Research, more than 41 percent of households in North America Smart -Home products within the house haveWhile in Great Britain, almost 46 percent of homeowners showed an interest in the introduction of smart home solutions -especially for lighting, heating and security.
This increasing appetite for intelligent, networked life is redesigned how houses are designed and built, and urges developers to embed the automation infrastructure during the construction instead of treating it as a later add-on. In this latest British project, this approach shows an immediate value for both homeowners and builders and how it can be used in other markets around the world.
The Bowers, Great Britain: build future houses
At The Bowers, a premium development in Kent, Great Britain, Hillstone Homes has teamed up with ABB to create future residences with fully integrated smart systems that have been installed from the start.
The ABB-Free@Home® platform was installed in cooperation with Hillstone and the trustworthy electrical entrepreneur Faulkner & Sons in four new houses, whereby the lighting, heating, intercoms, blinds and audio visual (AV) systems brought a seamless control over the use of the moment through the door.
Discussion of buyer expectations for automation
Hillstone Homes contacted the increasing demand for integrated smart -home technology by making automation a standard feature in the Bowers.
“Our goal was to deliver real estate that reflect how people want to live today,” said Michael Hill, founder of Hillstone Homes. “Abb-Free@Home® gave us a platform that was flexible, was easy to install during the construction process and was easy to adapt by the occupants after the handover. It enables us to distinguish the houses and offer added value from day one.”
ABB-Free@Home® brings lighting, heating, counter-speakers, blinds and AV control to a single intuitive app. It is designed in such a way that it is both scalable and user -friendly, and works seamlessly with popular third -party devices such as Sonos, Philips Hue and Velux Integra Windows and Motion blinds. In this way, users can simplify routine tasks and at the same time optimize energy consumption.
ABB-Free@Home® is designed as a simple and flexible smart home automation system for future expansion without costly reprogramming. Its hybrid cable and wireless functionality means that additional devices can be added later with minimal disorder.
Connected and ready to go
Each Bowers Home has a central panel that manages all important systems that are supported by ABB low-voltage bus technology and that enables a seamless connection and reduces the complexity of the cabling, keeps the walls clean and the adding new functions in the course of the time-one factor when deciding on Hillstone Home.
The highlights of the installation include:
- Raum-for-area
- Wall switches and intuitive touch panels with custom scenes such as “Morning” or “All Off”
- Integrated intercoms with remote door access
- System access points that enable wireless connectivity, remote support and simple future upgrades
Lighting, heating, blinds, intercom and audio come together in an app and completely with tailor -made scenes that have been tested on site. Thanks to intelligent device IDs, the installers were able to quickly assign and adapt room functions without obtaining complex coding, which means that the process remains smooth and easy.
Installation by an experienced partner
Faulkner & Sons Electrical Services, a specialist for decades of experience, treated the installation. After her team has delivered intelligent systems for over 400 Newbuild houses, she knows what automation works on site.
“We often install structured cable, networking and smart system -infrastructure,” said director Darren Faulkner. “What emerged at ABB-Free@Home® was that it offered a structured, modular approach without having to write tailor-made code or undergo a highly specialized programming process.”
By combining a robust, firmly wired backbone with flexible wireless options, the system seamlessly stuck to the Hillstone blueprint. At handover, homeowners were already furnished with intuitive app-based control of lighting, heating and much more.
“Buyers want to increasingly want functions such as central control, scenes and energy savings,” added Darren. “Developers and contractors who invest early in scalable systems are well positioned to satisfy this demand.”
An approach that is geared towards the shift market trends
The participation of ABB in the Bowers project is part of a broader mission: Smart -Home -Thoten automation easy, accessible and sustainable. This means that ABB-Free@Home® is directly used, which means that the user HLK, lighting and shading can plan on lower invoices and reduce the environmental impact.
“The global introduction of Smart -Home technology in household is expected to increase to around 33 percent by 2028And reflect on how essential connectivity, energy efficiency and convenience have become modern life, ”said Raimondo Salandra, Managing Director for Home Solutions in ABB Smart Buildings.
He added: “At ABB, our focus is on making this shift easy and scalable and helping home owners and developers around the world to integrate intelligent solutions that not only improve everyday life, but also support more sustainable, future communities.”
ABB-Free-Free@Home® already used in Europe and beyond, supports ABB's global strategy in order to live in the areas of living and multi-unit developments more intelligent and efficient worldwide.
A practical blueprint for more intelligent life
By specifying automation from the start, the Bowers proves how seamlessly intelligent technology can be integrated, which gives the value for developers and provides premiums and future houses without disturbing the construction schedule.
“The system worked well in this project and gave us the flexibility that we needed,” said Darren Faulkner. “From the point of view of an installer, it is an uncomplicated system for commissions and from the user's point of view it is accessible and adaptable to individual needs.”
The Bowers are a shining example of how embedded automation can increase sustainability, convenience and luxury and offers a scalable model for residential buildings everywhere.
1 Smart Home Market Size, share | Growth analysis report [2032]
2 Latest Smart Homes and Home Automation Report unveiled
3 Smart Home devices -Ownership in Great Britain 2025 | Statista
4 Global: Smart Home Penetration Rate 2019-2028 | Statista
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Fig is a global technology leader for electrification and automation and enables a more sustainable and resource -efficient future. By combining its engineering and digitization expert, ABB helps industry with high performance and at the same time becomes more efficient, more productive and sustainable so that it exceeds. At ABB we call this “constructed to exceed”. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. The ABB shares are listed at the Six Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (Fig). www.abb.com
About Hillstone Homes
Hillstone Homes is a developer based in Kent with over 20 years of experience in providing high -quality, sustainable residential buildings. The projects range from starter houses to luxury Hillside properties, with the focus on premium materials and intelligent design.
About Faulkner & Sons electrically
Faulkner & Sons Electrical Services is an electrical contractor based in Kent. The company offers electrical and automation installation services for residential and trade projects, with specialist knowledge in smart controls, home networking and integration of third-party platforms.
Endnotes
[1] Smart Home Market Size, share | Growth analysis report [2032]
[2] Latest Smart Homes and Home Automation Report unveiled
[3] Smart Home devices -Ownership in Great Britain 2025 | Statista
[4] Global: Smart Home Penetration Rate 2019-2028 | Statista