The superstructure: Designing for high-tech: The high-tech house is hardly passive; its heating, security, communications, and lighting systems function independently, yet talk with one another at the command of computers

A description is given of a house in which the basic house systems, as well as individual items, are controlled by a personal computer with custom software. In designing a high-tech home, a decision must be made whether to use a personal computer or a dedicated home control unit (into which the basic systems and appliances are wired). The particular house described has an Apple II, which monitors and controls all heating and cooling equipment, a security system, and all lights and electric outlets. Some of the dedicated home control units now on the market are described. Attention is also given to the question of how best to carry the communications, that is, whether to use power lines, extra wiring, or radio waves. The way in which technological advances are being incorporated into systems for heating and cooling, security, communications, and lighting is described.