Spacious Integrated Home

Some homes have unique features, but not many have their own indoor basketball court. This spacious and impressive home needed audio/video, automation, security, intercom, and networking. We also did the home's theater, which is featured in the portfolio titled, "Elegant Tiered Theater."

The home needed whole-home audio and video. For the audio, we used Sonos products throughout, paired with some Episode and Monitor in-ceiling and in-wall speakers at times. Content and volume produced by all the speakers are controlled by the Sonos app, that can be installed on a phone, tablet, or computer. Each Sonos "zone" can be played independently or grouped with other zones as desired.

For video, we installed a network-based 4K HDMI video distribution system to distribute six video sources to six separate video zones. The six sources include two cable boxes, a Blu-Ray player, security cameras, a Roku streaming device with built-in services such as Netflix, and the Control4 user interface. We installed Sony TVs throughout the home, ranging in size from 49" up to 75." All of the TVs are controlled with Control4 remote controls. We added power conditioning behind all of the TVs to provide a layer of protection against electrical damage for both the TVS and Sonos Playbars.

For security, we installed a large sysyem that included door contacts, glass break sensors, motion sensors, keypads, sirens, and a cell backup. The alarm system was then tied to the smoke detectors installed by an electrician. It can be controlled via the Control4 app, so it can be armed and disarmed remotely.

For networking, a full gigabit router and 48-port switch was installed in the equipment rack to provide a hardwired connection for all network equipment, home run network lines, and wireless access points. The size of the home required four hardwired connections, as well as eleven indoor WAPs, and three outdoor WAPs to provide stable coverage throughout the property.

Surveillance outside a large home seems obvious, but cameras inside the home can be incredibly practical, not just as a security feature, but also as a helpful addition for things like checking in on children in a playroom while making dinner in the kitchen or checking in on a room in your home while you are away. Here we installed an IP surveillance system that included a 16-camera NVR, five indoor cameras, four cameras at the pool house, and four cameras on the exterior of the house.

To automate the home, we installed a large Control4 processor. An additional access point was installed to allow for smooth communication between the remotes that are spread out across six rooms and the processor. The automation system controls video and sources in all rooms attached to the video distribution system. Control4 is designed so that if the homeowner wishes to integrate other functions, such as lighting, locks, or the thermostats, it is easy to do, as we were able to integrate the doorbell and alert the Control4 system when it chimes, sending a notification to the homeowner's phone.

We also installed an intercom system in eight of the rooms for easy inter-room communication, operated by a small keypad and speaker in each room.

With so much equipment needed for a project of this scope, we placed all of the equipment in a new steel rack on castors for easy maneuverability. This was placed in a mechanical room across from the home theater. We placed IP controlled battery backup and power conditioners in the rack, which allow us to monitor the power state remotely without needing to physically be present at the rack.

The end result of this project was a home that retained its aesthetic beauty but at the same time showcases an impressive array of technological advances and smart features.