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 Hidden Installation

HI2

Date design began: 01-01-06
Date installation was completed: 01-31-08

FEATURE ESSAY:

Our objective was to seamlessly integrate 21st century technology into a room modeled after a 17th century Irish castle. The technology needed to be invisible and not interfere with the aesthetics of the room. The room’s centerpiece, a quarried natural limestone arch over the main window, provided a perfect place to hide the Stewart 110� motorized screen. The screen silently appears in the arch when needed and blocks natural light and is auto masked for different aspect ratios.

The speakers needed to be high-quality, but invisible. In-wall installation and speaker fabric were not options due to the specific architectural wood design of the room. We overcame this challenge by creating custom-engineered speaker compartments that sit behind the hand carved wood coffered ceiling grills and disguised the speakers, yet allow sound through. The sound is precise while keeping the speakers completely hidden. In addition, two subwoofers were placed along the wall and then built to look like 17th century tables.

The projector also needed to be completely out of sight; however the client did not want the projector to be motorized. We custom-engineered a projector compartment into the coffer ceiling that aligned with the screen center and only the projector lens was drilled through the coffer face, therefore becoming unnoticeable. The compartment has a hidden access door and a thermostatically controlled vent to the outside.

Working up front with the millwork designer allowed the dimensions and placement of the coffered ceiling so that very high quality image and sound were achieved while all components were out of sight. An ISF certified video calibration was done upon completion.

The system is controlled using an AMX touchscreen which gives one-touch access to the perfect viewing environment. Seamlessly, the lights gradually dim, the screen and projector silently come to life, and the 7.1 surround sound bring this room to life. When the movie concludes one button brightens the lights, hides the screen, and shuts the projector down.

Planning and commitment to the overall vision transformed this beautiful room into a technology rich, functional space for the whole family to enjoy.

EQUIPMENT LIST:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Sharp
Model#: XV-Z12000 mark II
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Stewart Filmscreen
Model#: EM110HGHLSB-40-2-9
Product Description:

Qty: 3
Manufacturer: Triad
Model#: In-Ceiling Silver/6 Monitor
Product Description:

Qty: 4
Manufacturer: Triad
Model#: In-Ceiling Silver/6 Mini Monitor
Product Description:

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Triad
Model#: In Room Silver PowerSub
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: ADA
Model#: Cinema Rhapsody
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: ADA
Model#: PTM-8150
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Spaun
Model#: SMS 51602 NF
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: AMX
Model#: NI 3000
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: AMX
Model#: MVP 8400
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: AMX
Model#: PSN 6.5
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Panamax
Model#: MAX5100
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Lutron
Model#: HWI-PM-H48-120
Product Description:

Qty: 4
Manufacturer: Lutron
Model#: HWI-RPM-4U-120
Product Description:

Qty: 4
Manufacturer: Lutron
Model#: ST-4S-NI-QZ
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic
Model#: AXS-35
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic
Model#: TS310
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic
Model#: TRACK50
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Axis
Model#: 241Q
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Samsung
Model#: SIR TS360
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Denon
Model#: DVD 2930 CI
Product Description:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Terk
Model#: TRK-S26
Product Description:

TIME AND EXPERTISE:

Client Interviews: 10

Electronic Design and Engineering: 24

Proposal and System Documentation Preparation: 8

Project Management: 40

Pre-wire/Rough-in: 24

Trim-out: 120

Shop Time for Racking and Testing: 32

Programming: 24

Final Installation and Calibration: 72

Client Instruction: 2

Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company: 20

Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others: 0

Project Management by Others: 0

Other time: 0
Describe Task:

Total Hours to Complete: 376