Scope · layer B
Building automation: one wired system for the whole building
The second level of automation: a central controller and wired modules in the distribution board. The logic runs locally in the building, also without the internet; the internet is needed for remote access and updates.
- Energy managementPV, energy storage, heat pump, chargers – details in the Energy scope
- Lightingscenes, dimming, DALI
- Indoor climateheating, ventilation, air conditioning
- Access controlreaders, codes, phoneWe coordinate – done by a partner
- Securityalarm certified to EN 50131We coordinate – done by a partner
- Shadingroller blinds, venetian blinds, awnings
- Audiosound in zones
- Scenesone command – many devices
- Garden and irrigationschedules and sensors
- Controlsswitches, panels, app
Somfy animeo – facade shading in commercial buildings
In commercial and public buildings, facade shading is controlled by the Somfy animeo system: the shading works in zones, a weather station provides data on sun and wind, in strong wind the shading retracts automatically, and the whole system connects with the building management system.
Technologies and manufacturers
What do we build on?
We choose the manufacturer for its role in the system – with the reasons below.
| Role | Manufacturer / solution | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Building control | Loxone or Ampio | Chosen for the building – comparison below |
| Facade shading in commercial buildings | Somfy animeo | Zones, weather station, wind protection, integration with the building management system |
| Blind and gate drives | Somfy | io drives with real position feedback, one ecosystem for blinds, awnings and gates |
Choosing the platform
Loxone or Ampio?
We do not sell a brand. We choose the platform for the building – according to what you expect.
| What you expect | Loxone | Ampio |
|---|---|---|
| One ecosystem with multi-room audio and one app | ✓ yes | weaker side |
| Extensive diagnostics and publicly tested security | ✓ yes | weaker side |
| The house keeps working if the server fails | weaker side | ✓ yes |
| Somfy io blinds with real position without an extra device | weaker side | ✓ yes |
| Glass panels in the colour of the interior, Polish manufacturer | weaker side | ✓ yes |
“–” means this is not the strongest side of the platform, not that the function is missing. [comparison to be confirmed]
Integrations
What does the system connect with?
Integrations in the Ampio system (according to Ampio)
- Protocols and standards
- KNX · DALI · Modbus · Z-Wave · ZigBee · EnOcean · Wiegand · 1-Wire · RS-232 · RS-485 · TCP/IP · IR · MQTT (e.g. Node-RED) · REST API · Matter
- Air conditioning
- LG · Samsung · Mitsubishi · Daikin · Bosch · Carrier · Gree · Hisense · MDV · Rotenso
- Heat recovery ventilation
- ThesslaGreen · Pro-Vent · Zehnder · Komfovent · Brink · Aeris · Evenvent · reQnet · Daikin
- Heat pumps and boilers
- Panasonic · LG · Hitachi · Daikin · Mitsubishi · Stiebel Eltron · Bosch · Junkers · Buderus · Viessmann
- Photovoltaics and inverters
- Huawei · GoodWe · Fronius · SMA · Sofar · Solplanet · SAJ
- Energy meters
- F&F · Eastron · Finder · Zamel · Apator
- Lighting
- Philips · OSRAM · Shelly
- Shading and windows
- Somfy · Selve · Fakro · Velux
- Gate drives
- Hörmann · Somfy
- Alarm and CCTV
- Satel · Jablotron · Hikvision · Dahua
- Video intercoms
- Akuvox · DoorBird
- Locks
- tedee · Gerda
- Weather stations
- Elsner · Davis · Netatmo
- Thermostatic valves
- Danfoss · Shelly
- Audio and multimedia
- Sonos · Denon · HEOS · Yamaha MusicCast · Chromecast
List according to the system manufacturer. The functions available depend on the device model and the type of connection (locally or via the device manufacturer’s cloud) – we confirm compatibility before the project.
Source: ampio.com – integrations
Integrations in the Loxone system
Loxone connects with other manufacturers’ devices through extensions and standards (including KNX, DALI, Modbus, Loxone Air, Loxone Tree and network communication). Ready-made device templates are available in the Loxone Library – some are prepared by users, so we check every integration before the project.
Source: Loxone Library
Standards
Which standards do we use?
Open standards where it matters – the system can be extended and serviced years later.
- DALI – lighting
- KNX – commercial buildings and tenders
- Modbus – heat pumps, ventilation units, inverters
- io-homecontrol – Somfy drives
- EN 50131 – alarm
- VLAN – separate device network
Who does the work
What do we do ourselves and what do we coordinate?
Building automation (Loxone / Ampio / Somfy animeo): done by us. Work requiring other qualifications is done by a partner – we state this for each item.
Done by us
Smart home (Somfy / Velux)
Control of shading, roof windows, the gate, lighting and heating with wireless solutions – also in minimally invasive retrofits.
How we work
How does the work go – from the interview to the documentation?
Technical interview
We ask about requirements, not about the brand.
Design and quote
Based on the floor plan: routes, distribution board, choice of platform.
Installation and programming
We program ourselves, with a cabling subcontractor if needed.
Tests and handover
Acceptance tests, including a power cut test; as-built documentation.
Ongoing service
Inspections, updates and remote support – [frequency, response time and terms of the service agreement].
Who we work for
Building automation (Loxone / Ampio / Somfy animeo) in your building
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does a smart home work without the internet?
It depends on the level. In building automation (Loxone, Ampio) all logic and the app on the home network run locally in the controller; the internet is needed for remote access and updates. In a smart home based on Somfy TaHoma, time-based scenarios, remote controls, switches and wind and sun sensors work without the internet; the TaHoma app, remote access, voice assistants and cloud integrations require the internet.
Loxone or Ampio – which to choose?
We choose the platform after talking about your priorities, not by brand. [to be confirmed: with cabling prepared for both systems, the decision can be made even after plastering.]
What happens during a power cut?
We power the automation and network from protected circuits with backup. [to be confirmed: the most important functions also work without the controller.]
Next step