Palmetto Bluff Luxury Home
In this lighting/shading project, we designed a centralized lighting control system using Lutron QS Homeworks for a multi-million dollar residence in the coastal low country of South Carolina. The home is composed of three independent structures, which all needed to be part of the lighting control system. The Lutron system was instrumental in the design process to help eliminate wall clutter in rooms that had several zones of lighting. SeeTouch keypads were used tin these rooms and programmed to control scenes rather than individual light zones.
The shading portion of this project was a collaboration between the builder, designer and AIC, where we concealed beautifully woven fabrics on Lutron QS rollers.
The system consists of the following components:
3 Centralized panels (84 total zones)
2 Homeworks QS Processors
4 Hybrid Wired/Wireless RF Repeaters
34 SeeTouch Keypads
6 Pico Keypads - For nightstand controllers used for lights/shades in bedrooms
8 Motion Sensors - Used to activate Energy Recovery Ventilators that were ducted into each of the bathrooms
24 Locally controlled dimmers/switches
2 QS Smart Power Panels - shade transformers
17 Roller Shades - worked with a 3rd party to fabricate custom motorized window solutions; sheer shades and black-out Romans.
QSE-IO - Input/output module. Used to integrate with the audio.video system. This module accepts inputs fro the Elan system to activate two motorized drop down lifts
Our clients wanted an intuitive lighting control system to help reduce the wall clutter of traditional light switches. On the original set of architectural blueprints, the lighting designer had several zones of lighting specified in the main areas of the home. This created several unwanted five to six gang switching locations. The owners had dealt with this frustration in their previous home, and had to use a P-Touch labeler to label all of their toggle switches. To say the least, they were not happy with the original functionality or aesthetics.
Although this home will serve as a primary residence, our clients frequently travel. They wanted to make sure that the system had the ability to be controlled remotely from within the house (i.e. - smart devices) or off site. It was also very important that all of the exterior lights be turned on each day just prior to sunset and stay on until the morning, but not light up the entire neighborhood all evening. Interior night lights/pathway lighting was also a necessity for their young children, and to give the illusion that the house was occupied while they were away.
As we discussed the capabilities of the Lutron system with the homeowners, the scope evolved even further. They loved the idea that their custom woven fabric window treatments could be outfitted with Lutron QS drives, and be controlled by SeeTouch Keypads or astronomical time clocks. They were also interested to see how the Lutron controls could help save energy. A few other items that caught the interest of the client was integrating the lighting system with the Elan g!, which allowed us to control the fireplaces, listen to the security system, and control two drop down TV lifts of the Outdoor screened porch.
Using Lutron’s Homeworks QS, we were able to meet and exceed our clients needs. SeeTouch keypads allowed elimination of unsightly multi-ganged banks of switches. These locations were replaced with six button keypads. The keypads are backlit and engraved with intuitive labels that control scenes of lighting throughout the home.
Using Lutron’s built-in astronomical time-clock, the exterior lighting was programmed to slowly ramp up just before sunset and reach its max level slightly after. Later in the evening, a slow fade is programmed to power down exterior lights, leaving a few dimly lit exterior lights on until sunrise. Interior lights were programmed in a similar manner for the children’s bedroom’s.
Working with both the builder and decorator, we provided Lutron QS Roller Shades that were outfitted with custom woven fabrics. These shades are concealed in hidden pockets and disappear when not in use. The shades and astronomical time-clock were used to save energy by limiting the sun’s exposure based on the time of day and compass orientation of the home.
Integrating the Lutron system with Elan g! allowed us to get creative for our clients and simplify their day-to-day living. We presented solutions to problems that they didn’t realize they might encounter while living in a large home. Using Elan, we activated lighting scenes based on other systems’ conditions. Whenever the alarm system detects an ‘Entry Delay’, between sunset and sunrise, it will trigger a ‘Welcome’ scene. It also activates a ‘All Lights On’ when any burglar/smoke/CO alarm is faulted.
Lutron keypad buttons and custom lighting pages within the Elan app were also used to activate gas burners in fireplaces and drop TV’s out of the ceiling. Lutron occupancy sensors were used to activate fresh air ventilators to assist in code required air exchanges in a tightly insulated home.
"We just completed our new home and AIC did an amazing job on audio visual system, Lutron lighting system and electric shades. They worked with us to create a user friendly, personalized system for our family's needs. For example, we wanted 3 televisions in one area, but did not want to impact our views. AIC created two hidden TV's that drop from the ceiling - something unique to fit our needs. Curt, Jen, and Joe and the entire AIC team made this experience flawless!"
-The Block's
Kim Block
917-577-9445
kim@rlbsquared.net
8 Anson Park Rd East
Bluffton, SC 29910
Palmetto Bluff Luxury Home
Category
Project > Lighting Control Project of the Year
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