Botanical House is a multi-generational heritage home located in South Yarra, Melbourne, adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Built in the 1920s, the house has been cleverly redesigned in order to combine the spirit of the old house and modern architecture.
The project was designed by Mim Design, with the build by Lonsdale Building Group, landscape design by Jack Merlo Landscape Design and art curation by Josh Fisher. The finished home combines rich colour, carefully selected materials and distinctive spaces, while retaining the character of the original heritage residence.
Our team was responsible for the Control4 smart home automation and integrated technology systems, bringing together lighting, audio-visual, security, networking, climate control and a range of motorised and connected devices throughout the home.
Control4 Smart Home Automation: The Intelligence Behind the Home
The goal was to make the technology feel simple and natural for the family. Instead of having separate controls for different systems, Control4 provides a central platform that brings many of the home's functions together.
From lighting and music to entertainment, blinds, climate and other connected systems, the family can control their home through strategically placed keypads, touchscreens and Control4 interfaces. The technology is carefully integrated into the architecture and interiors.
Lighting That
Sets the Mood
Lighting forms an important part of the experience at Botanical House, with each area of the home having its own character and atmosphere.
Control4 lighting modules and panels were installed throughout the property, supported by dedicated lighting infrastructure and enclosures. Custom Snow White keypads with engraved keycaps provide intuitive control while complementing the interior finishes. Lighting is controllable through keypads and touch screens; thus, the creation of the correct mood for daily activities and entertainment becomes easy.
Immersive Entertainment, Seamlessly Integrated
The home features an extensive audiovisual system designed to provide entertainment throughout the property while keeping technology discreet. We installed a combination of Amina and Triad speakers across living areas, bedrooms and dedicated entertainment spaces. The system also includes dedicated theatre and cellar audio, custom sound solutions, subwoofers and amplification.
Samsung displays were integrated throughout the home using appropriate mounting and installation solutions, while Control4 touchscreens and remotes provide a simple way to manage the entertainment systems.
Dedicated Spaces for Entertainment
Special attention was given to the home's entertainment spaces, including the theatre and cellar.
Triad speakers, custom sound equipment, amplification and surround processing were incorporated to create dedicated audio experiences in these areas. The cellar also forms part of the home's entertaining environment, with technology integrated into the wider Control4 system.
Outdoor entertainment was also considered, with dedicated garden speakers extending the home's audio experience into the exterior spaces.
Connected Security & Access
Security was integrated as part of the home's connected technology infrastructure.
The installation includes Luma high-resolution cameras, network video recording, PIR motion and presence sensors, an Inception alarm system and a Control4 DS2 door station. Together, these systems provide a coordinated approach to security, access and monitoring.
A reliable network is the foundation of any modern smart home, particularly one with extensive automation, audio-visual and security systems.
The Infrastructure Behind It All
We installed an AVIT rack and Araknis networking equipment, including managed switches, PoE infrastructure, wireless networking and routing equipment.
Structured cabling supports data, audio, video, security, control systems and outdoor speakers. HDMI and AV distribution equipment was also incorporated to provide reliable connectivity between the home's technology systems.
Much of this infrastructure remains behind the scenes but is essential to reliable system performance.
Control4 was also used to integrate other systems around the home, including floor heating and temperature monitoring.
Beyond Lighting and Entertainment
Additional automation and integration works included motorised theatre windows, fireplace switching and preparation for outdoor awning and louvre integration.
We also integrated Somfy RTS blind control through Bond and incorporated devices from different manufacturers using custom Control4 drivers, including drivers for the blinds, fireplace and Shelly devices.
This allows different technologies to work together rather than operating as isolated systems.
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Botanical House is a very intricate home design where the design of the architecture, interior, and technology had to work in synergy.
The key in this project was the incorporation of the technology seamlessly into the overall design of the property rather than as an addition. Keypads, touch screens, speakers, and displays have been chosen thoughtfully, considering the overall interior, with most of the infrastructure concealed from view.
The Control4 system integrates all these functions of lighting, entertainment, security, air conditioning, and other appliances into one smart home system. In effect, the technology becomes available when it is needed but otherwise does not get in the way of the homeowners.
Gallery
What We Deliver
Our scope included:
Control4 smart home automation
Control4 lighting control and lighting modules
Custom lighting panels and infrastructure
Control4 keypads and touchscreens
Engraved keypad buttons
Motorised blind and window integration
Whole-home audio and video
Home theatre and cellar AV
Indoor and outdoor speaker systems
Samsung display installation
Security cameras and network video recording
Motion and presence detection
Alarm and door station integration
Araknis networking and Wi-Fi
Structured data, AV, speaker and control cabling
Heating and temperature control
Fireplace integration
Control4 programming and custom drivers
AV distribution and HDMI extension
System integration, programming and commissioning
Where Technology Works Quietly
Botanical House shows how advanced home technology solutions can be incorporated into a heritage home without undermining the essence of the building or the personality of the interior spaces.
With lighting, audiovisual, security, networking, climate, and automation systems seamlessly integrated via the Control4 platform, we’ve created a fully connected space that’s simple for the family to operate and can adapt to their lifestyle.
The result is a sophisticated Control4 smart home in South Yarra, where technology works quietly behind the scenes to make everyday living and entertaining more comfortable.
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Recognised for Design Excellence
Recognition of Botanical House was received at the 2025 Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards, where the building received the Best Bathroom award and made it to the finals in the Best Work with Colour category.
The award is a reflection of the thoughtfulness of the design in the building, especially through the use of colour and materials in the building.
For our team, the project was an opportunity to ensure the technology worked seamlessly alongside this highly detailed design. The Control4 automation, lighting, audiovisual, security and networking systems were integrated with the home’s architecture and interiors to provide modern functionality without compromising the character of the residence.