The following information is courtesy of the 2007 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Designers’ Choice Awards. For more information on how to become a member of CEDIA, or information on its awards program please visit www.cedia.org or call (800) 669-5329.

2007 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Awards Entry: Best Integrated Home: Level 1: $60,000-$110,000

The concept of the room was to have an elegant family room with a home theater that would be out of view when not in use. The biggest challenge this project presented was that the client wanted the theater to be completely hidden from sight when not in use - including the ceiling mounted projector. Our first step was to create a floor plan that would detail the projector, screen, and speaker locations in relation to the room. The challenge in hiding the projector was the space between the theater ceiling and the floor of the room above. We had to choose a lift that would fit into the space as well as lower itself enough to give us the correct offset for the 133″ projection screen. Another issue was hiding the 133″ projection screen. The screen casing was mounted in the ceiling before the sheetrock was installed. After the sheetrock was installed and painted, the 133″ screen was installed. In-wall and in-ceiling speakers were used for the front, center, rear, and side surround speakers. In addition to using low profiled speakers, we also painted the speaker grills to match the color of the walls and ceiling. Two 12″ subwoofers were installed into the floor below the seating area. This not only kept the large subwoofer boxes out of sight, but gave great bass response when watching movies. All equipment for this system is rack mounted in a closet inside the theater room. The final challenge was the sun. Due to the large windows at each end of the room, movie watching was impossible during the day. Automatic, motorized, room-darkening shades were installed to eliminate any sunlight from entering the room. The final detail was to install an RF system interface to control the system. When the system is activated the motorized shades, the projector, and the 133″ screen lower, the projector powers up and the system components are activated.

Equipment List

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: InFocus Model#: SP7210 Projector

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Chief Model#: SL150 Projector Lift

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Draper Model#: 133″ Access V Screen

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: B&K Model#: Reference 50 Pre-Amplifier

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: B&K Model#: AV125.7 Amplifier

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Panamax Model#: MAX-5300 Surge Protector

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Panamax Model#: MIW-Power Kit - TL In-wall Surge Protector

Qty: 4 Manufacturer: Klipsch Model#: RCW3 In-wall/In-ceiling Surround Speakers

Qty: 4 Manufacturer: Klipsch Model#: RCW5 In-wall Speakers

Qty: 2 Manufacturer: Velodyne Model#: SPL1200 Subwoofers

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: RTI Model#: T2+ System Controller

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: RTI Model#: RP6 RF Relay Unit

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic Model#: 5-29 Equipment Rack

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Sony Model#: DVPNS55P DVD Player

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Sony Model#: SLVN900 VCR

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: DirecTV Model#: H-10 High Definition Satellite Receiver

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Yamaha Model#: CDC695 CD Player

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Monster Cable Model#: 500' 14-2/CL3 Speaker Cable

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Belden Model#: 120' Component Video Cable

Qty: 2 Manufacturer: Lutron Model#: Vimco Motorized Shades

Time and Expertise Worksheet

Task Hours

Client Interviews: 8

Electronic Design and Engineering: 8

Proposal and System Documentation Preparation: 6

Project Management: 4

Pre-wire/Rough-in: 16

Trim-out: 8

Shop Time for Racking and Testing: 8

Programming: 4

Final Installation and Calibration: 3

Client Instruction: 2

Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company: 0

Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others: 14

Project Management by Others: 0

Other time: 0

Total Hours to Complete: 81

Entry # HI03

Our client's desire was to convert a lower room of their 1890 home into a theater/library. Their needs were prioritized as:

1. Must be period relevant in design and quality of craftsmanship.

2. Technology must be hidden to provide a 'library' feel when not being used as a theater.

3. The system performance must be outstanding.

4. There must be ample, hidden storage for family games and books.

5. The original fireplace and surround must be reused.

The challenges:

1. Insufficient Ceiling Height - Many large boiler pipes, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning lines were rerouted to allow the ceiling to be raised. The floor joists above were boxed-in to allow room for the projector lift.

2. Two Existing Old Window Groups - One was removed due to acoustic and design degradation. The other was replaced with a period relevant window. Natural light was controlled with a motorized shade.

3. Proper Placement of Speakers While Remaining Hidden - A two step panel system allowed for acoustically transparent fabric to cover the front speakers, while a smaller ornate fabric panel, framed in mahogany, provided the desired look. The rear speakers were engineered into custom-built bookcases flanking the window.

4. Providing Acoustical Treatments within the Desired Design - A stepped wall panel system framed in mahogany, along with panels recessed into a coffered ceiling, provided the acoustical treatment and achieved the desired look.

5. Concealment of Video Equipment - The projector was recessed using a lift, the screen was concealed in a pocket, and the LCD TV above the fireplace was concealed with motorized artwork.

6. Providing Hidden Access to an Adjacent Wine Cellar - Columns were designed with specific panel widths to provide a secret entrance through a hinged panel. The wine cellar door is locked with an electric strike, which is opened from a keypad. A hinged panel in the adjacent column conceals the door keypad and lighting keypad. The sconce is cleverly used to open the panel.

7. Simple Use - A touchpanel controls all functions including the fireplace and the elaborate lighting. Front hidden storage cabinets are monitored with contacts to prevent the screen from dropping if the doors are open.

Equipment List

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Sony Qualia Model#: Q004R1U Projector

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Sony Qualia Model#: VPLLZP550 Lense

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Sony Model#: KDLV40XBR1 LCD TV

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Sony Model#: BDPS1 Blu-Ray DVD

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Sony Model#: DVPK85PR Karaoke DVD

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Sony Model#: DVPCX777ESB 400 DVD

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Escient Model#: DVDM100 DVD Manager

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Stewart Filmscreen Model#: LX100HFHG Luxus Screen

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Inca Model#: 90411200 Projector Lift

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Media Decor Model#: QC42 Motorized Artwork

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Anthem Model#: D2 Processor

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Anthem Model#: P5 Amplifier

Qty: 4 Manufacturer: Paradigm Signature Model#: S2 Speakers

Qty: 4 Manufacturer: Paradigm Signature Model#: C3 Speakers

Qty: 2 Manufacturer: Paradigm Reference Model#: SEISMIC12 Subwoofers

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: AMX Model#: MI3100 Netlinx Controller

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: AMX Model#: MVP8400 Modero Touchpanel

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: AMX Model#: MIO In-wall Keypad

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Lutron Model#: Sivoia Stop Light Roller Shade

Qty: 2 Manufacturer: Lutron Model#: GRXMR6 Graphik Eye Lighting Control

Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Lutron Model#: GRXIA232 RS232 Interface

Qty: 2 Manufacturer: Lutron Model#: SGSVC Sivoia Control Stations

Qty: 2 Manufacturer: Lutron Model#: SG4SN Seetouch Keypads

Qty: 18 Manufacturer: Quest Acoustics Model#: PA Acoustical Wall and Ceiling Panels

Qty: 14 Manufacturer: Acoustic Innovations Model#: Harmony Acoustical Wall Panels

Qty: 2 Manufacturer: Furman Model#: ELITE15PF Power Management Center

Qty: 2 Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic Model#: SRSR425 Equipment Rack

Time and Expertise Worksheet

Task Hours

Client Interviews: 19

Electronic Design and Engineering: 18

Proposal and System Documentation Preparation: 21

Project Management: 124

Pre-wire/Rough-in: 62

Trim-out: 46

Shop Time for Racking and Testing: 4

Programming: 47

Final Installation and Calibration: 213

Client Instruction: 2

Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company: 145

Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others: 125

Project Management by Others: 105

Other time: 0

Total Hours to Complete: 931