The following information is courtesy of the 2008 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.

2008 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Awards Entry: Best Integrated Home, Level I: $67,500 – $120,000

IH3

Date design began: 03-01-07
Date installation was completed: 11-15-07

FEATURE ESSAY

1. Please provide a short four to six sentence synopsis describing the project goals, special features, or nuances.

The client had just purchased the home and wanted to finish out the basement by building the ultimate “man cave.” We started in the basement with the home theater, card room, billiard room, and a garage that doubles as a dance club and ended up installing a system throughout the entire house.

2. Did you encounter any challenges or limitations that required special consideration in the design of the system or placement of equipment? Please describe the control system.

Due to the fact the upper two floors were already finished a good deal of work was retrofit. We were able to complete this work with little to no repair needed. Downstairs, we worked closely with other industry partners to ensure a seamless installation.

Because we are controlling just about every system of the house, the control system had to be easy-to-use and robust. After completing the basic installation and programming, we worked closely with the client to tailor the system for his specific needs.

3. Discuss the overall plan you created to accomplish the clients’ requirements.

We follow a formal process for all of our installations. After a thorough discovery and design phase, our project manager works closely with the builder and other industry partners to make sure everyone has the information they need. Our operations department completes the various phases of the project and then checks and re-checks that nothing was missed and everything is up to our standards. Finally, we take extra time and carefully teach the client about the system and tweak any programming to the system.

4. Describe the five most used functions of the system and how they benefit the client.

a. The A/V distribution system is the workhorse of the whole system. From the equipment rack to the rest of the house the client can access multiple different sources to watch/listen to in any room without stacks of equipment everywhere.

b. The client uses the home theater just about every day. From watching TV and movies to using his Mini Mac and playing Guitar Hero with his buddies, the theater has become a great source of entertainment.

c. In larger homes, it can be a real pain to adjust lighting to fit a given lifestyle. This is where our Control4 lighting system really shines. Using activity based “scenes”, the client can push a single button and lights adjust to pre-programmed settings. Additionally, we always add chronological events that are triggered based on the time of day and the state of the security system.

d. The client travels frequently, so we programmed a “vacation” setting. On his way out he pushes a single button: the lights will adjust themselves to give a “lived in” look, all the A/V equipment goes into standby mode, the thermostats set back to conserve energy and the security system arms.

e. The climate control system automatically adjusts temperature of the HVAC system and ceiling fans to keep it cooler at night, warmer in the morning, and just right during the day.

EQUIPMENT LIST:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Control4
Model#: HC-1000
Product Description: Automation Controller

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Control4
Model#: HC-300
Product Description: User Interface Controller

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Audio Authority
Model#: AVX-661
Product Description: Audio Video Matrix Switch

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Control4
Model#: 16AMP3-B
Product Description: 16-Channel Amplifier

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Yamaha
Model#: RXV-1700
Product Description: Receiver

Qty: 4
Manufacturer: Motorola
Model#: DCT-6412
Product Description: Cable Boxes

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Model#: Xbox
Product Description: Game Console

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Apple
Model#: Mac Mini
Product Description: Computer

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: JVC
Model#: HD-1
Product Description: Front Projector (1080p)

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Stewart Filmscreen
Model#: StudioTek 130 (perf)
Product Description: Screen

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Paradigm
Model#: Studio 100
Product Description: Loud Speakers

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Paradigm
Model#: CC-690
Product Description: Center Channel Speaker

Qty: 4
Manufacturer: Paradigm
Model#: CC-590
Product Description: Surround & Rear Speakers

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Paradigm
Model#: Servo 15
Product Description: Subwoofers

Qty: 150
Manufacturer: Control4
Model#: LDZ-101
Product Description: Dimmers

Qty: 5
Manufacturer: Control4
Model#: KPZ-6B1
Product Description: 6-Button Keypad

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Control4
Model#: TSM-10.5
Product Description: 10.5� Touchscreen

Qty: 5
Manufacturer: Control4
Model#: RCZ-SR2
Product Description: Remote Controls

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Russound
Model#: CAM6.6
Product Description: Audio Amplifier Switcher

Qty: 4
Manufacturer: Paradigm
Model#: CS-80R
Product Description: Ceiling Speakers

Qty: 4
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Model#: TH-PX60U
Product Description: 50� Plasma TV

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Samsung
Model#: LN-2651
Product Description: 26� LCD TV

Qty: 50
Manufacturer: iSky
Model#: 2400
Product Description: 2′ x 2′ Fiber Optic Ceiling Tile

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic
Model#:
Product Description: Equipment Rack

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Monster
Model#: 5100
Product Description: Power Center

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: LG
Model#:
Product Description: Combo HD DVD / Blu-Ray Player

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Ademco
Model#: ICM
Product Description: RS232 Module

Qty: 5
Manufacturer: Control4
Model#: CCZ-T1
Product Description: Thermostats

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Yamaha
Model#: YSP-1
Product Description: Surround Sound Speaker System

TIME AND EXPERTISE:

Client Interviews: 12

Electronic Design and Engineering: 19

Proposal and System Documentation Preparation: 3

Project Management: 12

Pre-wire/Rough-in: 54

Trim-out: 16

Shop Time for Racking and Testing: 8

Programming: 16

Final Installation and Calibration: 96

Client Instruction: 4

Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company: 0

Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others: 0

Project Management by Others: 0

Other time: 0
Describe Task:

Total Hours to Complete: 240