The Tool Desk
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Built around Home Assistant, the panel is part dashboard, part control surface, part status display, and part architectural feature. It shows how an open home-automation platform can become a tactile, appliance-like interface rather than remaining confined to a browser.
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Why build a physical Home Assistant panel?
Home Assistant can control almost anything a household automation system needs, but a conventional browser or phone interface is not always convenient. Frequently used actions may require unlocking a device, opening an app, finding the right dashboard, and waiting for a connection.
A permanently installed panel exposes the controls that matter most. In this project, those include lights, outlets, appliance status, electricity and water monitoring, and an emergency control capable of closing the home’s main water valve after a leak.
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The result is easier to discover than a hidden app, available to everyone in the home, and immediately visible without a phone. Physical buttons also provide tactile feedback, while LEDs can communicate status at a glance. The touchscreen retains the flexibility needed for detailed information and less frequently used functions.
The open-source platform was also part of the appeal. The design avoids making a single proprietary cloud ecosystem the only way to operate the home. That does not make every Home Assistant installation automatically private or locally independent: remote access, cloud integrations, voice assistants, cameras, and individual devices still affect the system’s privacy and availability.
What “Home Assistant-powered” means
Home Assistant is the orchestration layer, not the software running directly on every part of the wall panel. The project separates the automation hub from the panel’s display and physical I/O:
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Sensors, appliances, and valves
│
Home Assistant hub
Linux PC
│
Ethernet network / PoE
┌───┴───┐
Touchscreen Pi Button/LED Pi
│ │
Kiosk UI I2C expanders
│ │
Touchscreen Buttons + LEDs- Home Assistant hub: An older Linux PC coordinates devices and automations.
- Touchscreen computer: A Raspberry Pi 3B+ runs the kiosk display and touchscreen-related software.
- Button-and-LED computer: A second Raspberry Pi 3B+ reads physical buttons, updates indicators, and communicates with Home Assistant.
- Network: Ethernet connects the panel to the hub and supplies power through PoE HATs.
- Device protocols: The wider system uses Z-Wave for some commercial equipment and MQTT over Wi-Fi for home-built devices. Those protocols are not interchangeable, and MQTT is not necessarily the transport for every panel function.
This separation makes the panel a specialized client and hardware interface for Home Assistant rather than a replacement for the automation server.
Why two Raspberry Pis?
One Pi handles the touchscreen side; the other handles buttons and LEDs. The touchscreen Pi runs three containers: a kiosk-mode browser showing a Home Assistant interface, a Python service translating touchscreen interactions into requests to the hub, and a local diagnostic web server.
The second Pi runs two Python containers. One processes physical button inputs and sends commands to Home Assistant. The other obtains state information and updates the panel’s LEDs.
Using two computers is not inherently necessary. It was an architectural choice that provides cleaner separation between display and hardware I/O. A software change to the button subsystem is less likely to disturb the kiosk display, and each subsystem can be deployed and diagnosed independently. The trade-off is two operating systems, two storage devices, two network endpoints, additional heat, and twice as many computers that can fail.
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- 【Wide Compatibility】The Smart Control Panel L is compatible with a wide range of Smart Life devices, such as switches, light bulbs, sockets, cameras, and door locks. This extensive compatibility empowers you to create a truly intelligent and interconnected home environment.
- 【Hands-Free Voice Control】Built-in Alexa voice assistant enables hands-free control of your home devices, scenes, and other voice skills, making it easier than ever to interact with your smart home.
- 【All-in-One Functionality】With integrated Zigbee gateway functionality, this control panel replaces the need for a separate gateway, providing localized control and expanding your smart home capabilities.
- 【Seamless Control】The Smart Control Panel features a 5-inch full touch screen, allowing you to effortlessly manage and control your smart devices and scenes with just a touch.
- 【Easy Installation】Both wired and wireless network connections are supported, and the power supply supports both modes: TYPE-C mode and circuit connection.
A modern redesign could potentially consolidate the display and I/O onto one newer computer or delegate the button and indicator subsystem to a microcontroller. That would simplify the installation but would also require a new electrical and software design; the original project does not demonstrate that such a consolidation performs better.
How the panel gets enough inputs and outputs
The panel needs more than 50 signals for its buttons, LEDs, and other controls. A Raspberry Pi’s 40-pin header does not provide 40 generally available, independent GPIO lines. In this application, roughly 26 are practically usable once interfaces and design constraints are considered.
The builder expanded the system with three 16-channel I2C GPIO expanders. Together, they nominally provide 48 additional channels while using only the Raspberry Pi’s two-wire I2C bus for communication.
That number should not be mistaken for a complete electrical design. A 16-channel expander is a logic I/O device, not a relay or power controller. A reproducible build must still account for:
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- Current-limiting resistors for LEDs.
- Driver transistors or dedicated driver circuitry where the expander cannot safely supply the required current.
- Button debouncing in hardware or software.
- I2C address selection and possible address conflicts.
- Voltage-level compatibility and a shared ground.
- Bus length, pull-up resistors, electrical noise, and possible bus lockups.
- The expander’s per-pin and total-current limits when several indicators are lit.
Balena’s I2C and SPI documentation explains the interface considerations for Raspberry Pi hardware running balenaOS. The exact expander chip and final pin allocation used in this panel are not identified in the accessible project coverage, so those details cannot be copied safely without the author’s schematics or source files.
Why use Ethernet and PoE?
A fixed wall panel benefits from wired networking. Ethernet provides a predictable connection to the Home Assistant hub, while PoE allows each panel Pi to receive power through its network cable. That reduces visible cabling and avoids installing a separate power supply beside each computer.
The original build used one PoE HAT per Pi. The project reported a historical price of about US$20 per HAT, but that is not a current bill-of-materials figure. A PoE switch or injector must support the appropriate standard and provide enough power. A standards-compliant PoE HAT is not interchangeable with a passive PoE adapter.
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PoE also does not eliminate wiring. It removes separate power cabling for compatible devices, but the installation still needs Ethernet, internal panel wiring, a suitable switch or injector, and appropriate mechanical and thermal planning. The Raspberry Pi PoE HAT product brief is the right starting point for compatibility and operating guidance.
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In a current build, a Raspberry Pi 5 is a possible replacement candidate because it offers Gigabit Ethernet and support for a separate PoE+ HAT. The original Pi 3B+ arrangement remains relevant for understanding or faithfully reproducing the project, but its historical price should not be treated as a present-day cost or buying recommendation.
The software stack
The panel uses containerized services managed by balenaOS. The attraction is modularity: display, touch handling, physical input, indicator updates, and diagnostics can be maintained as separate services rather than one large program.
That isolation can make deployment and troubleshooting more manageable, particularly for a permanently installed, headless device. It also adds another platform to learn and maintain. A conventional Raspberry Pi OS installation with system services may feel more familiar to some makers, although it would require more manual service management.
Balena’s Home Assistant example illustrates the broader containerized deployment model and its remote-management advantages. It is an example deployment, not the exact control-panel codebase, and should not be treated as a complete reproduction package for this project.
A reliable interface should also distinguish between a command being requested and a device state being confirmed. For example, an LED should ideally communicate whether a button press was received, whether Home Assistant acknowledged the command, whether the device reached the requested state, or whether the device is unavailable. A simple polling-based indicator can otherwise display stale information.
The panel is also a fabrication project
The industrial-control-room appearance is central to the design. The panel combines a touchscreen with large physical buttons, individual LEDs, status displays, labels, and a schematic of the home’s water pipes. It is assembled from 3D-printed sections installed in an off-the-shelf floater frame.
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The builder first mapped the layout at full size on paper, then produced the CAD design in Tinkercad. Recessed printed lettering was filled with white spackle to create high-contrast labels. The result is not simply electronics hidden behind a tablet; it is a deliberate piece of wall-mounted furniture.
The frame and printed sections also create constraints that do not appear in a dashboard mock-up: screen viewing angles, button spacing, access for maintenance, ventilation, cable entry, strain relief, and the ability to remove a computer without dismantling the wall.
What would be required to reproduce it?
The published project description establishes the architecture, but it is not a complete beginner build guide. A full reproduction would require the following information and components:
- Two Raspberry Pi 3B+ boards, or a redesigned modern equivalent.
- Compatible PoE HATs and a suitable PoE switch or injector.
- The touchscreen model, mounting hardware, and display interface.
- The exact I2C expander chip, addresses, pin assignments, and wiring.
- Button and LED part numbers, resistors, connectors, and any driver circuitry.
- Power and thermal calculations.
- Python source code, container definitions, and deployment configuration.
- Home Assistant entities, service calls, automations, and state mappings.
- The water-valve model and its electrical-control method.
- CAD files, frame dimensions, print settings, and mounting details.
The accessible coverage refers to a GitHub bill of materials, but it does not provide a verified repository URL here. It would be unsafe to guess one. Understanding the design is therefore easier than rebuilding the exact device.
Physical panel or tablet dashboard?
| Approach | Strengths | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Custom physical panel | Fast common controls, tactile feedback, visible status, guest-friendly operation, prominent emergency controls | Fixed location, custom fabrication, higher effort, additional computers, harder redesigns |
| Wall-mounted tablet | Lower complexity, flexible interface, easier replacement and relocation | Touch-only operation, charging or sleep issues, less tactile feedback, less suitable for urgent controls |
| Single-board computer plus I/O controller | Can retain a custom interface while reducing the number of Linux computers | Requires a new hardware, firmware, power, and enclosure design |
| Dedicated buttons or keypad | Simple and fast for a small number of high-frequency actions | Limited status display and less suitable for broad monitoring |
The custom panel makes sense when the interface itself is part of the project. For most households, a tablet or a small number of dedicated controls will be cheaper, easier to update, and easier to maintain.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Emergency water shutoff: useful feature, safety-critical question
The large emergency button can trigger a Home Assistant action that closes the home’s main water valve after a leak. This is a strong example of a physical control whose purpose is rapid intervention rather than convenience.
It is also the point where a maker project becomes a building-system control. The source establishes that the button can initiate the shutoff; it does not establish independent operation, certification, code compliance, or fail-safe behavior during a power or network failure.
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- Echo Hub — An easy-to-use Alexa-enabled control panel for your smart home devices—just ask Alexa or tap the display to control lights, smart plugs, camera feeds, and more.
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These are different designs:
- A software command sent through Home Assistant to a motorized valve.
- A locally wired emergency-stop circuit.
- A valve designed to close when power is lost.
- A safety-rated or code-compliant installation.
Before connecting a valve, verify its voltage, current, manual override, behavior on power loss, installation direction, and safe reopening procedure. Consider leak-sensor false positives and whether plumbing or electrical work should be completed by a qualified professional. A prominent button is valuable only if users know what it does and the system provides a clear, safe recovery path.
Failure modes to design for
A permanent control panel should make failure obvious. If Home Assistant is unavailable, users should not be left wondering whether a button press worked. If the network or PoE switch fails, both communication and panel power may disappear. If power fails, the panel, hub, network, and valve may all behave differently; the project description does not establish battery backup for any of them.
Useful design decisions include:
- A visible heartbeat or offline indicator.
- A clear “Home Assistant unavailable” display state.
- Button debouncing, press/release handling, and carefully defined long-press behavior.
- Protection against duplicate or delayed commands.
- LED states that distinguish requested, acknowledged, confirmed, and unavailable.
- A local override or independent fail-safe path for critical equipment.
- Accessible service panels and replaceable storage media.
- Documented behavior for network, host, PoE, and mains-power failures.
What to build in 2026
There are several sensible starting points rather than one correct parts list.
For the hub, readers who do not already have a Linux PC can consider Home Assistant Green, which Home Assistant describes as a plug-and-play host and lists at a recommended US MSRP of $199 excluding taxes. It is a hub, not a GPIO-heavy panel controller. An existing PC, mini PC, Raspberry Pi, or virtual machine may be more flexible for users already running additional services; Home Assistant’s hardware guidance outlines those alternatives.
For the panel computer, a Raspberry Pi 5 may provide ample performance for a consolidated display and control design, but its power, cooling, and PoE+ requirements must be included in the enclosure plan. A microcontroller can be a better fit for simple button scanning and LED driving, while a tablet may be the most practical display.
The original two-Pi architecture remains attractive when modularity and a close reproduction matter more than minimizing components. It should not be copied automatically simply because it worked for the original builder.
Who should build one?
This project is a strong fit for experienced Home Assistant users, Linux and Raspberry Pi hobbyists, makers with access to 3D-printing equipment, and homeowners who want a permanent interface tailored to their building.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchIt is a poor fit for renters, anyone seeking a weekend installation, homes without a practical Ethernet or PoE route, and users who want a low-maintenance dashboard. It is also not a substitute for certified independent safety equipment where building, plumbing, electrical, or life-safety requirements apply.
Verdict
This panel’s achievement is experiential as much as technical. It turns abstract automations into a visible, tactile appliance: a place where household members can see status, press a real button, and understand the home’s systems without opening an app.
It is not the simplest, cheapest, or most reproducible way to control Home Assistant. The project combines embedded Linux, containers, networking, GPIO, I2C, MQTT, Z-Wave, CAD, 3D printing, and plumbing controls. But as an architectural example, it makes a persuasive case for designing smart-home controls around the people and spaces that use them.
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