November 22, 2006—Gone are the days of power outlets limiting space and confining building design. Convia, a new Herman Miller Company, is rewiring thinking about traditional electricity with the debut of its signature product, Convia Programmable Infrastructure.
Convia Inc. seeks to change the way people design, build, personalize and manage space, says the company. Convia Programmable Infrastructure is a modular and programmable electrical infrastructure that delivers “plug-and-play” power virtually anywhere within a commercial space without requiring hardwiring of devices or switches.
Eliminating the constraints of traditional electrical systems, this next-generation infrastructure invites architects, interior designers, electrical contractors, building owners and tenants to create flexible, sustainable environments that can be easily – and instantly – modified or upgraded, according to Convia.
Using infrared technology via a secure, remote control “wand” designed by Grimshaw Industrial Design, Convia offers programmable electricity and allows all users – trained and untrained alike to install, upgrade or relocate any electrical device (e.g. lighting fixtures, security cameras, electronic displays, thermostats, speakers, etc.), switch or sensor in moments.
Using the wand, any off-the-shelf electrical or electronic devices that are plugged into Convia’s system connectors can be “programmed” and grouped with each other via a communication and control network, regardless of what electrical circuit they are connected to.
By allowing for unlimited modifications in positioning and configuring energy-efficiency components, and optimizing occupancy, daylight, time and temperature sensors, Convia provides personalized and cost-efficient control of power, data, HVAC and lighting systems. The system also may contribute points to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.
For more information about Convia Programmable Infrastructure, visit the Web site.
