Timeless design, smart future

Switchgear and smart home technology reinforce each other

Design and technology have long since ceased to be separate worlds. At Architect@Work Amsterdam, Niko will show how aesthetics and functionality can reinforce each other. The Belgian family-run company will present its latest generation of design switches (Niko Rocker and Niko Toggle) there, while at the same time presenting the possibilities of Niko Home Control to visitors.

With Niko Rocker and Niko Toggle, the company is harking back to its own icons from the last century. Niko Rocker refers to a rocker switch from 1958, Niko Toggle to the Bakelite® rocker switches from 1928. Both variants have been redesigned in a minimalist style and executed in high-quality materials such as aluminum and steel. The switches combine robust construction with refined details: subtly finished edges, soft textures and the option of adding a discreet LED indicator. In doing so, they make a design statement in keeping with contemporary architecture.

"With the introduction of Niko Rocker and Niko Toggle, we are betting on timeless design and intuitive interaction," says Jurren Zomer, marketer at Niko Netherlands. "The new switches are a tribute to our rich design history, but at the same time completely contemporary. They reflect more than a century of innovation and craftsmanship."

From stand-alone to connected

Whereas the new switches primarily stimulate the senses, Niko Home Control opens up a digital layer in the home or building. The system integrates lighting, shading, heating, ventilation and even audio into a single entity that can be controlled centrally. Via classic switches, touchscreen, smartphone or voice assistant. Residents can program scenes that respond to daily routines: from a good morning setting that activates lights and heating, to an all-off button when leaving the house.

According to Zomer, it is precisely the combination of design and home automation that makes the difference: "A smart home begins with intuitive operation. The switching material remains an important anchor point in the home, but behind the scenes Niko Home Control adds intelligence and flexibility. This creates a total solution that is right both visually and technically."

Energy as a design factor

In addition to comfort, energy management is playing an increasingly important role. Thanks to the link with solar panels, smart meters and energy storage systems, Niko Home Control helps users monitor and optimize their consumption. Devices can automatically respond to peaks and troughs in their own production, making more efficient use of energy from solar panels. "Now that the salderingsregeling is disappearing in the Netherlands, it is more important than ever to be smart with energy," says Zomer. "Our system makes that insightful and controllable. In doing so, we not only provide comfort, but also a concrete contribution to making homes more sustainable."

Freedom for designers

For architects and designers, the combination of designer switches and smart home technology offers a wide playing field. The switching material is aesthetically versatile thanks to various finishes, from alu gold brushed to steel white coated, and can be seamlessly integrated into different interior styles. At the same time, the technical layer remains largely invisible, which increases design freedom. "A switch has long since ceased to be just a functional object," Zomer concludes. "It can just as easily be a stylish design element as well as the gateway to a smart home."