Working with Thomas Sattler Homes, Quality Audio Video (QAV) developed the automation system for this mountain modern luxury home in the town of Silverthorne, Colorado.
With plenty of exposed steel and intricate carpentry, the home already possessed a plethora of character through its architecture, though the owners sought additional sophistication through the installation of a home automation and control system.
Luxury Automation System Tucks into Colorado Home’s Mountain Modern Design
Photo/Kolton Bachman
Covering the Colorado home’s extensive collection of luxury lighting fixtures and AV systems, the automation backbone was set up to blend into the rest of the home’s signature design elements, a feat that QAV attributes to extensive collaboration on the part of the homebuilder.
“In the world of home building and design, collaboration is key,” says Carly Bitz of QAV. “Thomas Sattler Homes’ unwavering support has been pivotal in allowing us at QAV to bring creative ideas to fruition with the highest level of fit and finish.”
The team also worked with other traders on the project, hosting regular meetings with carpenters, electricians, and QAV technicians led by a dedicated project manager to ensure adherence to expected quality and timelines.
Wireless Systems Minimize Cable Infrastructure
Photo/Kolton Bachman
A Crestron system provides centralized control and automation for the home, in addition to handling the home’s extensive collection of lighting fixtures.
Recessed into the exposed hardwood ceilings, of both the indoor and outdoor spaces, and spread throughout a collection of designer fixtures and sconces, the home’s lighting is an unsung hero in maintaining the design integrity of its expansive, open-concept spaces.
High-performance equipment such as Crestron dimming modules and keypads as well as strategic wireless solutions such as lighting control points helped to save limited space to traditional electrical infrastructure while maintaining a robust system.
Throughout the home, a strategic use of wireless solution helped to cut down significantly on the cable infrastructure required. While creating its own challenge in elevating the need for a strong home network, the decision did help reduce the visual impact of certain technologies while maintaining the home’s clean lines.
Additionally, a centralized equipment room helped drastically reduce the amount of space required to house the home’s AV and control infrastructure.
Handcrafted Solutions Help Preserve Design Aesthetic
Photo/Kolton Bachman
Despite the client’s laser focus on design aesthetics, some compromises were made to accommodate what were deemed essential technology, such as slightly larger AV enclosures.
QAV also provided some of its own handcrafted solutions to help preserve architectural elements in the mountain modern home, such as custom TVs and speakers integrated directly into the metalwork.
Having worked in the Colorado area for some time, QAV are no strangers to the types of luxury homes common within the region. With an emphasis on expansive windows that look out onto the landscape and interior architecture that celebrates exposed natural finishes like with the Estancia Estate project, finding ways to hide the infrastructure for a home automation system in the hardscape is usually the biggest challenge.
Photo/Kolton Bachman
Photo/Kolton Bachman
Photo/Kolton Bachman
Systems & Equipment
Network:
- Cyber Security Firewall & Router: Araknis Networks AN-520-RT
- Pakedge Managed Switch: Access Networks ANX7150-48 48-port Switch w/ (4) x 1G SFP Ports (Upgradable)
- Indoor Wireless Access Point: Access Networks ANU-A750-US00 x 3
- Outdoor Access Point: Access Networks ANU-B350-US20 x 1
Home Automation Platform:
- Crestron Home: Crestron CP4-R x 1
- Crestron Home Wireless Gateway: Crestron CEN-GWEXER x 3
Motorized Window Treatments:
- Crestron Cresnet Motors x 9 with CSA-PWS10S-HUB-ENET x 1 10-Motor Power Supply with Ethernet to Cresnet® Bridge and Cresnet Hub
Lighting Control:
- Universal Dimmer Module: Crestron, Model CLX-2DIMU8 (8 Channel, 120V) x 4
- Terminal Block: Crestron, Model for CLX-2DIMU8 x 4
- Ethernet to Cresnet Bridge: Crestron, Model for CAEN Automation Enclosures x 1
- Enclosure for DIN Rail Devices: Crestron, Model DIN-EN-3X18 (3 DIN Rails, 18 Units Wide) x 1
- DIN Rail Cresnet Power Supply: Crestron, Model DIN-PWS60 (60 Watt) x 2
- DIN Rail Cresnet Distribution Block: Crestron, Model DIN-BLOCK x 1
- Wireless Lighting and Fan Controller: Crestron, Model CLC-FANDELVEX-W x 5
- Cameo Keypad: Crestron C2N-CBD-P-W-T x 16 Cameo® Keypad, Standard Mount, White Textured
- Cameo Backlit Engravable Pushbutton: Crestron, ENGRAVED (White Textured, Includes Custom Engraving)
Whole-Home Audio:
- Matrix Amp & Streaming Music Player: Crestron, Model DM-NAX-8ZSA x 4
- Sonos Port: Sonos, Model PORT1US1BLK x 3
- In-ceiling Speakers: Origin Acoustics, Model (various including Director, All-Weather, etc.) – C67 x 7, D83 x 18, D65EX x 8
Whole-Home Video:
- Frame TV: Samsung, Models QN32Q60AAFXZA x 4, QN65LS03BAFXZA x 2, QN75LS03BAFXZA x 1, with handcrafted custom frame by local frame shop.
- Wall Mounts and Housing Trims: Future Automation and Strong, Model (various for different TVs) – WB31/WB26 with PS55’s x 3
Equipment Room:
- Rack System: Strong, Model SR-FS-SYSTEM-DC-42U x 1
- Power Conditioner: Wattbox, Models WB-300VB-IP-5, WB-800VPS-IPVM-18 x 1
- Surge Protection: SurgeX, Model SA-20 x 1
This project was a runner up in our 2024 CE Pro Home of the Year Awards. Presented annually at CEDIA Expo, the Home of the Year Awards represent the best of the best smart home innovations within the CEDIA channel. If you have a project you would like to have considered in the Home of the Year Awards, submit while the window is open, or follow CE Pro to stay informed of when the next submission round begins.
