Commercial Property
High net worth individual (anonymised) | Somerton, Somerset
Somerset | UK | Commercial Property | Connectivity & Cyber, Workplace Technology
CHALLENGE
The operating problem
A Grade II* listed country residence in Somerset dating back to the mid-1500s. Three storeys, around 8,800 square feet, 1.6-metre-thick solid brick walls, heritage protection restrictions and complex RF and cabling limitations associated with listed status.
The owners experienced little to no internet connectivity throughout large areas of the residence and were unable to move between rooms whilst on calls without signal loss. The existing DECT phone system could not function effectively due to the wall thickness and historic construction methods. Any replacement solution required a fully VOIP-based system supported by complete wireless coverage across the entire property.
Specific operational constraints
- 1.6m solid brick walls severely impacting wireless signal propagation
- 100% phone and WiFi coverage required across 8,800 sq ft
- No visible cabling or intrusive infrastructure
- No structural alterations requiring English Heritage intervention
- All internal technology devices concealed
- Competition against a national infrastructure provider
- Compressed delivery programme of less than two weeks from survey to completion
- Enterprise-grade reliability with uninterrupted roaming throughout the residence
APPROACH
How Altus delivered
Altus designed and deployed a fully engineered enterprise-grade wireless and VOIP communications infrastructure specifically tailored to the building's historic constraints. The network architecture was engineered to overcome the extreme signal attenuation caused by the 1.6m solid brick walls while maintaining the integrity and visual appearance of the historic interiors.
Delivered
- Full-property wireless coverage design
- Enterprise-grade WiFi infrastructure deployment
- Fully VOIP-enabled phone system architecture
- Discreet cable routing and hidden device integration
- Detailed electrical and cabling schematics prepared before deployment
- Non-intrusive installation techniques compliant with Grade II* listed requirements
The entire project was completed within six days, significantly ahead of the original two-week programme requirement.
OUTCOME
What changed
The project transformed the usability of the residence for modern connected living while preserving the character and integrity of one of Somerset's historic listed properties. The owners were able to move freely throughout the property while maintaining uninterrupted calls and high-performance wireless connectivity.
Outcome highlights
- Completed in six days against a two-week brief
- 100% phone coverage throughout the property
- Seamless roaming between rooms and floors
- Stable enterprise-grade wireless infrastructure
- Hidden infrastructure with minimal visual impact
- Preservation of the building's architectural integrity
- Retention of the client's existing phone number and telephony workflows
- Delivered at lower cost than competing national infrastructure providers
TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS
Infrastructure stack
- Enterprise-grade wireless infrastructure
- VOIP telephony platform
- High-density WiFi design for 1.6m solid brick wall construction
- Invisible cabling methodology
- Listed-building compliant installation
THE NEXT STEP
Book a Critical Systems Review of your business.
We will look at where your infrastructure stack stands today, identify the gaps, and tell you straight what needs to change.