THE BRIEF
A demanding retrofit that transformed the connectivity and audiovisual infrastructure of a five-bedroom, three-storey Camps Bay home.
Villa Adara required more than the installation of a few wireless access points. The existing conduits left after an earlier renovation were not suitable for the network and video-distribution system the property needed, so Mirror Edge Networks planned and delivered new cable routes throughout the house.
The work included chasing, conduit installation, structured cabling, patching and repairs, followed by a complete network and Wi-Fi system with coverage extending from the living areas and bedrooms to the pool deck, driveway and garages.
The Brief
The objective was reliable, seamless connectivity across a large multi-level property, together with the infrastructure required for video distribution. The system needed to serve five bedrooms, three storeys and important outdoor areas without leaving equipment or temporary cabling visible throughout the home.
Because this was a retrofit rather than a new build, the success of the installation depended on finding practical routes through the existing structure and making good after the cabling work was complete.
Retrofit Cabling and Building Work
A detailed survey showed that the internal conduits from the earlier renovation could not accommodate our requirements. New 25 mm conduits were therefore planned and installed to reach the rooms where network and audiovisual services were needed.
Some routes travelled up to and across the roof before cabling could be introduced into the relevant spaces. The work involved careful chasing, cable installation, patching and repairs so that the finished result felt considered rather than added on.
This infrastructure-led approach is often the difference between a short-term connectivity fix and a system that can be supported, maintained and expanded over time.
Whole-Home Network Design
The completed home network and Wi-Fi system brought together a dedicated router, a Power over Ethernet network switch and four professionally positioned wireless access points.
Power over Ethernet allowed the access points to receive power and data through the same structured cable. This removed the need for separate plug-in power supplies at each location and helped keep the installation discreet and serviceable.
At the time of completion, fibre was not yet available in the street. A Huawei LTE router on the Telkom LTE network provided the internet connection, while the professionally installed internal network ensured the house was ready to benefit from improved external connectivity when it became available.
Wi-Fi Where It Was Actually Needed
Coverage was planned around how the entire property would be used. In addition to the bedrooms and main living spaces, the pool deck received strong Wi-Fi for music streaming and everyday connectivity outdoors.
The signal also extended to the driveway and both garages, allowing connected devices to join the network as users arrived at the property. Across all three storeys, multiple access points worked together to provide a far more consistent experience than a single consumer router could deliver.
Video-Distribution Infrastructure
The new cable routes also supported video distribution throughout Villa Adara. Planning the network and television infrastructure together reduced duplicated building work and gave the property an organised backbone for distributing entertainment between central equipment and the required viewing locations.
Combining these services within one coordinated installation made the system easier to understand and maintain, while keeping the visible rooms free from unnecessary equipment and cabling.
Project Scope
- Site survey and retrofit infrastructure planning
- New 25 mm conduit routes across the property
- Chasing, cabling, patching and remedial repairs
- Structured network cabling to key rooms
- Dedicated router and Power over Ethernet switch
- Four professionally positioned Wi-Fi access points
- Coverage across three storeys, the pool deck, driveway and garages
- Video-distribution infrastructure
- Organised, serviceable central equipment
The Result
Villa Adara gained dependable connectivity throughout the house and its outdoor areas, supported by new infrastructure designed specifically for the property. The finished system delivered reliable Wi-Fi, provided the backbone for video distribution and removed the compromises caused by the unsuitable existing conduits.
The project is a useful example of what can be achieved in an established home: with careful planning, specialist cabling work and considered repairs, a complete technology upgrade does not need to depend on a fresh new build.
Professional photography by Jon-Erik Munro Photography.
Planning a network retrofit?
Mirror Edge Networks designs and installs structured cabling, whole-home Wi-Fi and video-distribution systems for existing homes and new builds across Cape Town. Arrange a home network consultation.
