One of the many responsibilities of architects and interior designers is to inform their clients of their home design options. Every home, no matter how simple or how “low tech” the clients are, will incorporate at least some technology. As such, every home needs a technology designer in order to accurately assess and meet the clients’ and the project’s needs. Something as vital as the “user-friendliness” of the home, the security needs, and the clients’ entertainment needs should be addressed at the earliest stages of design. Understanding your client's technology needs ideally starts at the project's schematic design phase.
A qualified technology integrator will be able to supply invaluable space planning information that will save a lot of time and expense when designed early. After all, it is easier to design with an eraser now than a sledgehammer later.
To help address your clients’ technology needs, the Home Technology Association (HTA) created a one-page ‘Project Technology Assessment’ form for you (a fillable PDF that you may download here), designed to share with your clients early. It shows you and your clients a menu of technology options, and once filled out, forward it to a qualified technology integrator for design collaboration. Or simply call your integrator and have them consult directly with your clients.
If you are looking for a technology integrator, HTA Certified integrators are the a great choice as they have passed the industry's first and only standard of company performance, as defined here. In addition, technology integrators that have the ‘HTA Design Partner’ designation have agreed to abide by the following rules of conduct with the promise to carefully listen to you and your clients’ needs and advise them, not be a product pusher. They will also provide vital design documentation that greatly minimizes change orders and project delays that inevitably happen when the technology discussion happens later.
To help foster the best working relationship with a technology integrator, the HTA has established a set of guidelines that define a framework for a mutually beneficial partnership. If you agree to follow these guidelines, the Home Technology Association considers you a ‘HTA Technology Partner’. The logo on this page was created for you to establish that you are a ‘technology proactive’ architect or interior designer that understands the importance of early home technology design to the proper functioning of today’s homes and to meet your clients’ lifestyle needs.* We suggest you use the logo on your website and marketing materials. It will serve as a competitive advantage of your firm. Click the button below to opt in and receive a high-resolution logo.
Click Here to Opt-In
HTA Technology Partner Guidelines for Architects, Interior Designers, and Building Designers:
1 – Early Engagement
Engage your technology integrator when you engage your other consultants such as MEP, structural engineer, electrical engineer, lighting designer, etc. It is never too early to engage an integrator.
2 – Client Meetings
The home’s electronic systems define the user-friendliness, safety, and entertainment aspects of a home. Decisions are highly personal to each client. Therefore, for a technology integrator to make appropriate recommendations, it is vital that they meet with the clients directly and not work through an intermediary.
3 - Let Your Clients Decide
As above, every client’s values are different. Please do not influence them away from something they do want or into a technology that they do not want. For example, if a client wants a high-performance home cinema, let them.
4 - Quality Technology Integrators Often Charge for Design & Engineering Documentation
HTA Design Partner designated integrators can create design and engineering documentation based on your plans. They will provide valuable space-planning information and device placement drawings that specify where important electronic systems will be located for aesthetic collaboration with you.
These design drawings can specify speaker locations, TV locations, the wiring head-end, equipment locations, lighting & shading wiring panels, wall controls (keypads, touchscreens, etc.), surveillance / doorbell cameras, access controls, motorized shading locations, lighting fixture locations, Wi-Fi heat maps, include framing requirements, shade pocket requirements, and more. You can be consulted on the visually impactful technology items for your input to minimize visual disruption. With forethought, some of the home’s technology systems may become a notable feature of the home. Such design and collaboration work by integrators takes many hours to create and many will charge a design fee, much like other projects consultants do.
5 - Transparent Fees
If any fees are being paid from the integrator to your firm, the client is to be informed. To see ways architects, interior designers, and building designers can be compensated for bringing a technology integrator to your project, see item #11 on this page.
If you agree with these guidelines, click here to notify the HTA and you will be provided the official HTA Technology Partner logo. If you currently do not have a great technology integrator partner, you will find qualified integrators who meet the HTA's stringent quality guidelines using this integrator finder tool. If there is not a certified integrator near you, notify the HTA here and they will research who are the most reputable integrators in your area.
Other Architect and Interior Designer Resources
1 – share the HTA’s brand-agnostic technology budget estimator to help your clients establish a realistic installed budget range for their home. Note: this may be embedded in your own website if desired.
2 – subscribe to the HTA’s “Home Technology Design” newsletter by clicking here, designed to keep your finger on the pulse of home technology trends and design-centric products.
3 – peruse the HTA’s Resource Guide by clicking here to learn about some of the industry’s best home technology brands
* The Home Technology Association will be launching a new section on this website soon, designed to promote architects, interior designers, builders, remodelers, and building design professionals through a free, no-strings attached listing. We will reach out to call opted-in HTA Technology Partners once this section is ready.
Yes, my company would like to have the 'HTA Technology Partner' designation
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