3 Tips for Managing a Gigantic House

Every integrator wants a big six-figure job … until he is mired in the middle of it. Then, he can probably be heard muttering under his breath, “Why did I take this seemingly endless job?!”

Robert F. Romano, president of Integrated Home Solutions (IHS) in Branchburg, N.J., is one integrator not afraid of these mammoth homes. Indeed, he recently completed a 16,000-square-footer and is in the midst of another.

The second job will include a master suite, full gym, outdoor media including all-weather TVs, greenhouse, and a basement that includes a dedicated 20-seat home theater and an unbelievable 100-seat theater that will double as a disco … complete with a DJ booth, stage lighting and fog machines.

Here are three tips from Romano for handling these large undertakings.

Minimize Your Vendors IHS is standardizing on Crestron throughout the home, including all 16 hardwired touchpanels (plus two wireless), whole-house automation, 16-zone/16-source (one of which is a player piano) multiroom audio, lighting control, security control, Cresnet cable for full digital media distribution and even controlling the plug-in candlesticks in every window.

Intuitive Interface Design is Important With a home so large, it is not feasible for the homeowner to run around activating or deactivating lights, TVs, etc. So IHS is designing a floorplan-overlay interface (with a tropical island theme) that will enable anyone (including his extended family that will be occupying the abode) to operate the system.

"That was our biggest concern with a house of this size filled with sophisticated electronics," says Romano. "The system has to be easy to use so that the homeowners can feel free to leave the house and know that their family can operate it. The last thing you want is a homeowner afraid to leave his own house because he is concerned about the operation of his electronics while he is away."

Tackle the Installation by Floor IHS does these large installations floor by floor. This home has a giant headend in the basement next to the disco.
Once all the wiring is run back to the headend (which includes an 800 amp electrical service), lead technician and partner Dominick Matinelli will tackle bringing it all together.

The project broke ground in October 2008 and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2010.