10-Bedroom Beach Home Is Lighting, Shading Design Masterpiece

When a home is located at the shoreline, preserving the views and controlling the natural light are vital. That’s exactly what the team at Atlantic Control Technologies (ACT) was able to do in this 10-bedroom, new construction home in Rehobeth, Del.

The home was designed by architect Robert Gurney, who is known for his award-winning, modern designs that are distinctive, progressive and above all, aesthetically brilliant. This example, built on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth, Delaware, is a solid example of his design expertise.

The client who commissioned the work, did so out of an affinity for modern architecture, and indeed, has multiple residences designed in a similar style. As such, aesthetics were a primary motivating factor in virtually all decisions made for the home. As an ocean-front property, it was intended to be a recreational vacation destination for the family as well.

WATCH THIS VIDEO OF THE PROJECT

The technology in the home needed to be fun and functional, rugged enough to stand up to extreme climates and adhere to the strict aesthetic demands of the architect.

The lighting and automated window shades are no exception and provide a simple and smart way to control the light exposure pouring in from the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic beach views throughout the home. The shades and lighting control help to save energy throughout the year and regulate temperatures while providing high-performance dimming and scene control.

In addition, the exterior lights are all on the lighting control system via time-clock programming and keypads. This includes step lights, landscape lighting, pool and hot tub lighting and more. The keypads integrate seamlessly into the environment and are programmed for simple, pragmatic, everyday use.

Atlantic Control Technologies outfitted the 10 bedrooms, master suite, lakeview room, kitchen, living room, dining room, porch, bunk room, study, exercise room and home office with more than 100 Lutron lighting control devices and more than 25 Lutron motorized shades.

The rooms have a combination of shade products, including:

• Manual roller shades
• Automated roller shades
• Automated drapery
• Manual drapery
• Metal pocket architectural frames
• Exterior manual roller shades
• Bottom-up automated roller shades
• Room darkening channels

The lighting control consists of a combination of Lutron keypads, switches, remote keypads and switches, wireless remotes and mounting pedestals, and an internet bridge for mobile app control.

Tech-Filled Vacation Home

This home was intended to be a recreational vacation destination for the family and the technology in the home needed to be functional, rugged enough to stand up to extreme climates and adhere to the strict aesthetic demands of the architect.

This home has the functional side of technology taken care of with simply programmed lighting keypads, automated window shades, programmed outdoor lighting and more. The home contains 100+ lighting devices and 25+ window treatments.

Because there was such a large focus on aesthetics, each device location was thought out in detail. On a case-by-case basis, each device and location was evaluated for look, fit and finish against the integrity of the architectural and interior design, which was done by Ilan Fulop Interior Design out of Rockville, Md.

Being located right next to the ocean, the home is constantly being exposed to harsh weather. All of the outdoor keypads and shades had to be specified for this demanding environment. Atlantic Control Technologies took care to ensure that the equipment installed in these critical locations was up to the task of performing. This includes ensuring the serviceability of these items and the look, fit and finish of the trims and bezels.

The home also includes Sony displays and electronics, Epson projector, Screen Innovations screen, loudspeakers from Bowers & Wilkins, amplifiers from Sonance, RTI remote controls. Outside the home has Seura outdoor video, loudspeakers from Leon Speakers, James Loudspeakers and Planter Speakers, iPort iPad mounts, and a Future Automation mount.

The client who commissioned the work, did so out of an affinity for modern architecture, and indeed, has multiple residences designed in a similar style. As such, aesthetics were a primary motivating factor in virtually all decisions made for the home. Atlantic Control Technologies coordinated the installing and concealing all the electronics with detailed documentation, CAD designs, and using high-tech touchscreen devices for note-taking in the field.

The project was the winner of the 2020 CTA Mark of Excellence Award for Lighting Control Project of the Year. Click here to see more photos of the award-winning install.