Sarasota Hoberman Orb
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SmartHouse was tasked with integrating a unique kinetic sculpture into a Smart House system we were installing. The homeowner wanted this to be the feature piece in an already amazing art collection. SmartHouse worked with the Hoberman team facilitate the installation of this sculpture but more importantly, help create moving scenes and synchronize them to the homes lighting system and music system.
The home is outfitted with an ELANg! system and Lutron Homeworks lighting control system.
SmartHouse sourced and specified the lights that would help feature the sculpture as it moved. We utilized RGB, LED fixtures that were mounted to the the 18 ft ceiling around the orb.
The Orb changes size as it moves and ranges from 18 inches to 6 feet in diameter. The lighting had to be even on the orb throughout its movements.
Using the Lutron DMX control, we connected the six, RGB lights and the Hoberman drive together in the system.
We worked with the artist to create specific movements and timed them with the color changing of the lights. These movements were created by a program and fed to the DMX controller as serial commands
These commands were linked to several buttons on a Lutron Keypad so the home owner could easily initiate the sculpture to begin its show.
Adding music was done by creating a page on the ELAN interface. This combined the Lutron commands with the ELAN commands calling for music in that zone. AC/DC is the tune of choice.

Project Scope
The customer wanted this featured piece of art to be a show stopper. He allow us the freedom to create an idea that would set this installation apart form the rest. Adding the six RGB DMX controlled Philips lights on the ceiling allowed us to create any mood we wanted to with color and brightness and was a good start.
Integrating the movement with the lights changing colors give the sculpture a different look and feel as it danced through its routine.
To make the installation simple to use. We programmed 3 buttons on the nearest Lutron Keypad to 1. initiate the sphere to start it routine, 2. turn on the lighting integration, 3 turn all off and return to starting position.
We wanted to have the sphere move without the lights so it could run during the day or run a bit more subtle and not have the lights.
One of the interesting by products of this installation turned out to be one of the coolest. The changing color of the RGB lights completely changes the interior of the home. In the night mode operation, the Lutron shades drop and the normal lights turn off. The only lights on in the great room are the color changing Sphere lights. The entire room changes from blue to green to red. It really makes for some interesting late night parties.

Customer Needs
The orb (sphere) was installed in the center of the great room. A large room overlooking the water with 18 ft ceilings.. The drive mechanism for the orb is rather large and can be noisy. We worked with the artist and had a custom stainless steel housing to sit on the roof where the drive mechanism and boards reside.. We ran several CAT6 cables to the roof for control and communications .
Two sliding shafts protrude through the roof suspending the orb. Moving the drive mechanism to the roof gives the orb a floating feeling.
All communications cabling is run to one of the sub panels where the DMX control is housed.
This kinetic sculpture is the featured piece in this home filled with amazing and unique art.
The ease of operation means the home owner can enjoy his premier piece at the touch of a button.


Orb video 1 : https://youtu.be/6gsDp_nXOco

Orb video2 : https://youtu.be/rxPuaIwhg_Q

Testimonial
The customer has not written a testimonial but is available for contact
Markstandish@hotmail.com

Equipment Used
Home Controls: ELAN SC10
Lighting Controls: Lutron Home works, QS shades and Lutron DMX controller
Multi-Room Distribution & Entertainment Systems: 0
Flat Panel Displays: 0
Front Projectors: 0
Projection Screens: 0
Main Theater Speakers: 0
In-Wall/In-Ceiling Speakers: 0
A/V Amps, Pre-Pros & Receivers: 0
Blu-Ray & DVD Players: 0
Remote Controls: ELAN HR200
A/V Furniture: 
Other: Philips color blast LED spot lights, Hoberman Orb sculpture provided by others

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