Upgrade for the barn: living in a smart country home

Where once hay and straw were stored, modern technology has now found its place. A young couple in Middle Franconia turned a converted barn into their dream home. Join us on a tour through a Smart Home nestled in a rural idyll. 

Old stables and barns on former farmyards often occupy some of the most beautiful plots in rural areas. In just such an unused agricultural building in Middle Franconia, Germany,  a young couple laid the foundations for their future together with the electrical engineering company of Klaus Geyer.  

With a modest budget and bags of enthusiasm, the trained carpenter and his equally skilled partner breathed new life into the old barn. On a farmstead that’s over 150 years old, they created a modern country home brimming with intelligent technology. 

The open layout of the barn allowed for a bespoke room design across 360 square metres. Behind the new larch wood facade on the upper floor, open-plan living areas were created, deliberately retaining the rustic character of the former barn. Exposed roof beams, natural oak flooring and solid wood furniture shape the authentic country home charm, harmonising with the bright walls and modern furnishings.  

The living, cooking and dining area soars to almost six metres at the gable. Extra-sized south-facing windows bring in natural light and enhances the sense of space. A covered terrace along the southern facade extends the living space outdoors. 

Much of the conversion work was done by the couple themselves, supported by family and friends. But when it came to their vision for technical equipment and building automation, they turned to the expertise of an experienced electrical firm.  

It recommended a wired KNX system for the renovation. Alongside the new power cables, the couple had the green KNX cable installed and all components are combined with the Gira X1 server. The compact, easy-to-install control centre was perfectly suited to the scale of the project. 

Another plus for a KNX-based installation was its flexibility. This international, manufacturer-independent standard gives the couple the freedom to expand their technology in the future without having to tear open walls or lay new cables. 

The KNX system also offers maximum flexibility for everyday operation. With the Gira Smart Home app on their tablet or smartphone, the couple can control the connected technology in their barn remotely and make custom adjustments to the home automation system. For instance, they set individual heating schedules for each room and can modify these on the go. 

They’ve also programmed the app so that the connected blinds automatically rise at sunrise and close at dusk. The Gira Weather Station Plus for KNX determines the exact timing and also notifies the X1 server of strong winds or bad weather. The control centre then sends the relevant command to the electric blinds. 

At home, the couple can also control their smart country home using intelligent switches. The Gira pushbutton sensors in the frame of the modern design line Gira E2 pure white have the desired functions assigned to each button.  

At the touch of a button, they can control the blinds for individual windows or entire floors, or activate custom light scenes: soft lighting in the living room for a cosy film night, or brighter light above the kitchen unit to help with cooking. Even complex commands can be programmed into the smart switches. For example, before leaving the house, they press the “all lights off” button to switch off all lighting, plus all energy-intensive devices and sockets throughout the home. This saves energy and valuable resources. 

The couple also has peace of mind when unexpected visitors come to the door. On the display of the Gira surface-mounted video home station, they can see straight away who is visiting. With the modern intercom system, they can communicate clearly and, if needed, open the door at the tap of a finger. 

The Gira smoke alarm devices are always on standby too, reliably raising a loud alarm in an emergency. The smart ceiling detectors are integrated into the KNX system: if there’s a critical incident in the house, the young couple is instantly notified via a push notification from the app. 

With forward-thinking planning and the flexible KNX system, the couple was able to fulfil their personal vision of a future-proof, intelligent home despite a limited budget – and they can add to or adjust its functions over time. Their converted barn is a shining example of how Smart Home living can thrive in a rural setting.