Anybody growing up in the ’50s and ’60s was captivated by Disney’s House of the Future. Now, Disney is unveiling a new house of the future with technology that controls lighting, music, images and heating based on the preferences of individual family members.

Like the original House of the Future the technology amazes but unlike the Disney house circa 1957 some of the electronics are already available. However, the house does give an indication of what’s ahead, something builders (and journalists) who attend the International Builders Show also preview at the Next Gen House, which features the newest technology.

Today, technology is an accepted feature of many luxury homes with lighting, entertainment, and temperature controlled using intuitive touch pads.  Also, with the advent of wireless controls and MESH networking, prices are coming down. Additionally, this technology makes it easy to retrofit existing homes. Presently, wireless is most effective for lighting and temperature control but it will eventually cover other systems in the home.  On the horizon, maybe even for this year, is in-house wireless HDTV.

—Camilla McLaughlin