In this age of social media and Grand Design, home builders and designers are always on the lookout for ways to amplify the look, feel and performance of their projects. Clients are increasingly discerning, seeking Insta-glam interiors and luxe liveability.

While all this puts quality finishes, fixtures and workmanship centre-stage at a whole-project level, it’s often the small details that elevate a home from beautiful to breathtaking. The concept that every touchpoint within a home offers potential to enhance the visual and functional experience is what inspired the development of Clipsal’s Solis™ – a design-forward, award-winning range of light switches and power points.

Setting the mood

Solis (which is Latin for ‘sun’) delivers a timeless aesthetic that partners perfectly with a variety of interiors and architectural styles, from contemporary builds to sophisticated heritage renovations. This puts it in high demand with housing professionals and their clients, both here in Australia and internationally.

Matt and Jess Corleison, owners of New Zealand-based Design Builders, recently selected Solis for a bespoke project situated on the shores of Lake Taupō. The concept brief for the home was ‘dark and moody’ – and it makes a bold first impression with an asymmetrical gable, full-height dark timber slats, and dramatic interiors finished in wood, stone, concrete panelling and steel.

Characterised by an emphasis on aesthetics, craftsmanship and premium fittings, Clipsal Solis T-Series switches were used throughout the Taupō property. The ultimate in understated luxury, the T Series combines the old-school feel of robust toggles with thin, flush covers, to perfectly complement the home’s dramatic yet moody ambience. Jess says they have become one of the big talking points of the project.

Form meets function

The Clipsal Solis collection was intentionally designed to meet the uncompromising standards of Australian home design and is available in two ranges: Solis and Solis T Series. Both combine contemporary design with well-resolved functionality.

‘We set out to create a beautiful product that could sit easily in high-end projects for specifiers, while satisfying the technical requirements of electricians and delighting residential homeowners,’ says Tim Turrini-Rochford, Schneider Electric’s VP Design Asia Pacific.

Solis is finished in an elegant matte black or white for monochromatic simplicity and can be specified in either a push-button or switch design.

Solis T Series is available in Brushed Brass, Platinum Aluminium, Ebony Aluminium and White Ceramic. Inspired by mid-century styling, this range features perfect square edges, toggle switches and ultra-slim covers.

‘With each Solis cover plate a beautiful object on its own, the new collection can add interest to minimalist interiors, or a refined look against stone, wood, marble or tile,’ Tim says.

Created with a rare focus on the nexus between form and function, Solis elevates not only the visual appeal of a home but also the end-user’s experience, transforming a daily activity – turning on a light or flicking a switch – into a pleasurable interaction. ‘Solis is designed to be a very tactile experience,’ Tim says. ‘You touch a light switch probably more than most other things in your home, so it should feel good.’

More than a pretty face

As well as offering timeless visual and tactile appeal, Solis is compatible with Clipsal’s Wiser Smart Home system for improved utility and futureproofing.

‘Smart home automation is a very important part of the home these days and we’ve offered a Wiser smart home as standard for a few years now,’ says Brad Sugars, co-owner of Adelaide-based building company, Regent Homes.

Brad and his wife Tess recently completed their own Mediterranean-inspired new home. As an interior designer, Tess knows how important each detail is to the overall experience of a space – she wanted to create a home that was both luxurious and up to the demands of busy family life. Along with earthy colours and natural textures of timber and stone, the elegant Solis T Series linked with a Clipsal Wiser smart home system offered an elegant and highly practical solution.

‘Wiser is a scalable, automated smart home solution that lets you control almost everything in your home with a single app. It’s easy to install and set up, and can grow as your needs change,’ Brad says.

To learn more, visit Clipsal’s Solis Collection.

This article was compiled with contributions from Clipsal by Schneider Electric.