We chose the iconic Violin Factory in Waterloo to be transformed into the Hive Connected Home on Wednesday, 15th July, a perfect combination of the charm of original architecture with the latest smart technology from Hive, a British Gas innovation. Stylist, Louisa Grey tailored the space beautifully to showcase the brand new technology seamlessly integrated into a home setting.

As guests arrived, illustrator Kev Munday was hard at work filling a huge canvas with his quirky take on everything Hive, his artistic style complementary to the brand’s distinctive look. Next, paper artist Lydia Shirreff’s intricate models of Hive’s smart products launching in Autumn were displayed, created entirely out of paper.

Guests were then welcomed into the main space with Cellar Society’s delicious canapés and refreshing homemade peach iced tea before being taken on a full tour of the spectacular home to see Hive’s new products and technology operating in situ.

The event unveiled an entire family of exciting new products, including Hive’s next generation Hive Active Heating smart thermostat, designed by Yves Béhar, with a range of new features; and a range of complementary products, designed to give people new ways to control their homes – Hive Active Plugs, Hive Motion Sensors, Hive Window and Door Sensors and Hive Active Lights.

Surrounded by his original sketches for the beautifully designed smart thermostat, Yves Béhar was at the event to talk through the aesthetics and new features, such as heating boost for up to six hours, a holiday mode setting and plumbed multi-zone compatibility. Speaking about the next generation Hive Active Heating, Yves Béhar, Founder and Principal Designer of Fuseproject, said:

“The design goal for the next generation Hive Active Heating™ was to make a product that is familiar and intuitive in its use, but also reflects the modern British home. We created a classically square thermostat with a dial, but gave it a mirrored surface which makes the device resemble a small mirror. In this way, the thermostat not only blends into the home discreetly, but it literally reflects its environment.”