In a comprehensive, whole-house smart home technology project for a new build, Centrennial, Colo.-based QAV (Quality Audio Video), partnered with DMF Lighting to create a fully integrated environment that delivered an elevated lifestyle complementing the owner’s vision of a sense of well-being that complements the Rocky Mountain lifestyle.
Previously, the owners lived in a space with basic builder-grade lighting with no control, no scene setting and poor light quality that made their home feel flat. This project is significant because it reflects the growing shift in the CEDIA channel: technology is no longer just about entertainment or convenience, it’s about design, wellness and lifestyle.
Aligning Intentional Lighting with Client Vision
Tyson Rabani, Founder & CEO of QAV explains the overall challenge when a homeowner is new to intentional lighting.
“The client had no prior experience with intentional lighting design until he visited our showroom and experienced advanced lighting for the first time. Like many projects, the initial lighting layout for the client’s newbuild was created by his architect solely to satisfy permit requirements.
“Unfortunately, that layout is rarely revisited by a lighting professional, which often leads to contractor-grade fixtures being installed by a third-party electrician. Fixtures that serve function, but lack intention, beauty and performance.”
He added: “This discerning client, however, was building a custom home and understood from the beginning that lighting would play a critical role, not just in how the home functioned, but in how it felt.
“They cared deeply about how they lived within the space, and how the architecture and interior design were highlighted at every hour of the day. The challenge was to deliver a lighting design that checked off all the boxes the client was interested in and to elevate and complement the architecture and furnishings.
“Additionally, we had to work with the client to explain scene setting and incorporate their thoughts into the final design.”
Integrating Lighting with Wellness, Lifestyle and Architecture
In designing for the home, QAV went with lighting that would allow them to create depth, mood and drama throughout the home. Incorporating dim-to-warm technology, as well as a layered approach, QAV worked to enhance how the client looks, feels and lives in their space.
A bonus to the design is that all of it is easily controlled through the home’s integrated automation platform, with scene setting being controllable by a single touch. The homeowner can instantly adjust the lighting to match any mood or moment, whether it’s bright, energizing light in the morning or a soft, ambient glow in the evening.
Scenes are pre-set and easily accessed creating a seamless experience that feels less like using technology and more like living in a space that knows you.
Scene Programming Supports Daily Routines Without Being Intrusive
The lighting scenes the homeowners settled on aligned with how they live. Scenes like “Welcome,” “Relax,” “Entertain,” “Goodnight” and “Energize” were created to instantly transform the mood and function of each space with a single tap.
“Energize” was designed to provide bright, invigorating light in the morning or during workouts in the home gym, supporting alertness and productivity.
Unique applications included custom lighting for the wellness room and sauna, as well as layered lighting in the living space theater and bar to balance cinematic immersion with casual family time.
Every scene was intentionally crafted to elevate daily rituals and create moments that feel both effortless and extraordinary.
Flexibility in Trim Selection Allows for Design Evolution
Another bonus from the lighting came in its flexible design, with QAV being able to select the housing, trim and light engine components all separately to create truly custom fixtures. This also allows for the lights to be easily upgraded later on down the line should the need arise.
And the need did arise, as, during this project, design decisions evolved throughout the build. The lighting’s adaptability let QAV maintain a clean, cohesive look without compromising performance.
Energy-Efficient Design Adds Additional Benefits for Homeowners
Equally important, since this was a brand-new custom build, the homeowners didn’t have a previous baseline to compare energy use. However, the lower power consumption of the lighting system was a key factor in the design.
Not only was this something that mattered to the homeowners, but it was of key concern to the architect and electrical engineer to reduce the home’s overall energy footprint.
This efficiency also translates to reduced electrical infrastructure requirements and lowers the demand on their solar and battery systems, creating a smarter, more resilient home from the ground up.
Intentional Lighting Design Elevates Integrated Mountain Living
Before this home, the homeowners lived in a space with basic builder-grade lighting—no control, no scenes and poor light quality that felt flat.
After moving into the new home, the client said, “I had no idea lighting could make this much of a difference. It’s like I moved into the Ritz.”
That moment perfectly captured how far they had come, not just in lighting, but in how the home now supports their lifestyle, mood and overall experience.
Tyson Rabani sums up how this project impacted QAV.
“This project is also significant because it reflects the growing shift in the CEDIA channel: technology is no longer just about entertainment or convenience, it’s about design, wellness and lifestyle. This residence exemplifies what happens when a custom integrator is brought in early and is trusted to lead with a design-first approach.
“It showcases how lighting, shading, energy solutions and control can be seamlessly integrated into architecture, not just added to it. For QAV, it reinforces our role as collaborators, not just contractors, and sets a new standard for what clients and design-build teams should expect from our industry.”
Equipment Used:
- DMF Lighting
