This sprawling new construction in Long Lake, Minn. was built to be the dream home for a local athlete who knew he’d be travelling quite a bit - perhaps even living in a different state as his contract neared an end. Despite the uncertainties that come with such a career, this family knew they wanted to plant their roots in a permanent home that functioned to their exact liking.
Among their list of wishes, the self-described “very social” family emphasized their desire to create lavish entertaining spaces outfitted with the latest tech. To the same end, they wanted everything to be user-friendly for family and guests of all ages, from their three young children to both grandmothers.
Rising to the occasion, Admit One Home Systems added their technical touch to the family’s massive bar, multi-sports court, backyard and pool, theater room, golf simulator, and multiple other hangout areas overlooking the lake.
Nuts and Bolts
It was important that this entertainment hub include distributed music and various lighting scenes to set the mood, which Admit One achieved by installing fixed touch screens in primary locations. They also carefully hid any sign of wiring to maintain the home’s aesthetic.
The video system incorporates 10 independent video zones with eight video source options. A Crestron DM Switch in a centralized rack receives distributed video content, then Crestron DM-RMC-4KZ-100-C 4K HDMI receivers send and receive the content. All video locations are centrally distributed with access to the rack sources, complemented by an elevated audio experience through the distributed speakers. The AV, lights, and shades for every room can be controlled by either a Crestron TSR-310 touchscreen remote, iPad, or iPhone. For the great room, the family requested an elevated audio experience, so Audio Control arranged a custom-built Leon soundbar to complement the video solution.
The audio system incorporates 27 independent zones with 10 source options distributed by a Crestron SWAMP multi-room system with Sonance DSP for additional calibration. Collectively, these zones include 48 amplified channels of audio. There are five 7-inch Touchscreens around the house for permanent control locations, plus all members of the family have their own personal iPad and iPhone control. A Sonos Port facilitates the standard choices for streaming audio options, and all video sources located in the centralized rack are available for viewing throughout the entire home.
The basement theater space was particularly important for the adults who enjoy watching movies together after the kids go to bed. Admit One worked closely with the home builder to achieve acoustical isolation so the couple would not wake the kids while they were blasting the latest Marvel movie at midnight. They used a stretched fabric across the walls in the space to conceal the acoustical material and added a star field to the ceiling to serve as an additional acoustical treatment.
Outside the theater, Admit One Home Systems paid close attention to ensure that power needs were equally distributed to the various UPS units. Nearly all the CEDIA Award judges took notice of their careful planning and deemed the rack build “particularly worthy of praise.”
Admit One installed top tier security and surveillance systems outside the home to ensure this high-profile family felt safe both day and night. All exterior doors and windows around the property are monitored, including the main doors, garages, and various maintenance doors. Water, heat, and smoke sensors installed throughout the home detect and protect against potential accidents.
In all, the CEDIA Awards judges remarked that the home is “a high-quality project, from initial design and documentation to installation and delivery.”