Case Study: Amagansett Spec Build
This case study outlines Home Technology Experts capabilities when faced with a beautifully finished Amagansett spec build that unfortunately lacked the technology the buyers were looking for.
While the home was fitted with some well specified equipment it lacked the comprehensive infrastructure typically required to install the advanced audio-visual systems, customized motorized shading, strategic lighting solutions, surveillance, access control and extensive outdoor enhancements the client requested while preserving the home's structural and aesthetic integrity.
Client Brief: As the owner of several homes these clients have had experience with a wide variety of home technology which fortunately for us gave us a clear picture of what they wanted from the home and what they didn’t want.
They wanted a robust and easy to use technology environment that didn’t rely on a control system. Priority areas included indoor/outdoor av, lighting, landscape lighting, shades, access control, and surveillance. For indoor audio visual creating a media room capable of both 2-channel Hi-Fi and a surround sound environment for watching movies was a top priority. Outdoor AV was a blank slate on the first site walk, but clients had a larger vision for the private lot including an outdoor tv and four zones of audio. They requested the majority of the downlighting in the home to be upgraded, including the controls. The most important interior upgrade to the home was blackout window treatments in the primary bedroom.
To complement the AV additions outside we were tasked with creating and installing a comprehensive landscape lighting design covering all areas of the property. Surveillance would need to be installed discreetly and access control for the gate and front doors required solutions.
Challenges: Faced with a newly constructed spec home lacking essential infrastructure for modern home technologies, our challenge was to integrate a full suite of home technology enhancements—including sophisticated audio-visual components, motorized shades, intelligent lighting, and surveillance systems—without impacting the home’s pristine condition or aesthetic appeal.
Solutions and Implementation
Lower-Level Recreational Room
Request: Create a high-end media environment suitable for both 2-channel hi-fi listening and surround sound for movies.
Existing Conditions:
Finished Room
(1) pair of Sonance in-ceiling speakers connected to Sonos Amp in mechanical room
TV location had receptacle and 1 CAT6 run.
Challenge: Install the desired system without damaging interior finishes to accommodate running more wire.
Solutions: We installed a 4.1 Sonos surround sound system utilizing the existing in ceilings as rear channel. Up front a pair of audiophile-quality Dynaudio Studio in-wall speakers were wired to a new Sonos Amp we installed in a new recessed box positioned behind the room's 85” Samsung QN90C centerpiece. This box also includes a smart surge protector, facilitating easy reboots and maintenance of all concealed components without disturbing the system setup. A Sonos Gen3 Sub was provided for that extra punch completing the setup. Since all the Sonos equipment can be connected over the homes Wi-Fi network no disturbance to the rooms finishes was required to create this comprehensive Dolby Digital surround sound environment.
Upstairs TV Room
Request: The client wanted to improve the quality of the audio for the television as the current setup was limited to using the TV’s native speakers.
Existing Conditions:
65” Samsung Television flush mounted in in-built wall unit.
(1) pair of Sonance in-ceilings positioned on the opposite side of the room from the television connected to a Sonos Amp in the mechanical room.
TV location had receptacle and 1 CAT6 run.
Challenge: There was no room in the existing built-in to install a soundbar in the existing millwork and no way to directly connect the existing speakers to the television without opening the walls or ceiling.
Solution: After discussing options with the client, we chose to integrate Dynaudio bookshelf speakers by discreetly routing wires from behind the Samsung Frame TV, where we installed a Sonos amplifier in a backbox along with a smart surge protector for easy reboots and remote support. Additionally, a Sonos Gen3 Amp was placed in the room to allow the system to reproduce frequencies all the way down to 20Hz. All components were connected to a single small switch in the backbox utilizing the existing CAT6 cable to connect everything to the homes wired network. By doing so we were able to provide an excellent media room experience while maintaining the room’s design integrity.
Outdoor Spaces
Request: Create an AV solution for the backyard that includes an outdoor TV for watching tennis matches and audio zones for the pool, cabana, porches and firepit that can be controlled by the same interfaces as the indoor AV.
Challenge: No prewire was done for speakers or televisions outside of the inclusion of a wireless access point mounted to the ceiling of the cabana. The landscape would also need to be reworked to accommodate the clients envisioned usage of the space.
Existing conditions:
1” conduit run from the mechanical room to the detached garage
1” conduit run from the garage to the cabana
(1) wireless access point at cabana.
Solutions: To facilitate the reimagining of the landscape we brought in our partners at Terra Landscape Designs. By coordinating with them we were able to run direct burial speaker wire and landscape lighting wire while they were doing the planting to minimize the disturbance to the property and accommodate the spring move in date.
Leon Terra speakers were specified to be discreetly installed in plantings and behind the cabanas privacy wall to provide quality audio by the pool without altering the harmony of the landscape design.
Origin Acoustics omni directional bollard speakers were selected for the patios of the home as well as the firepit area provide an excellent soundscape while matching the homes modern shingle style design.
For the outdoor TV setup, a Samsung Terrace TV and soundbar were installed, utilizing an existing Wi-Fi access point, and leveraging the built-in Smart Hub to avoid the need for additional equipment.
Motorized Shades and Enhanced Lighting
Request: For the lighting in the home, we were tasked with upgrading the existing downlighting to at minimum a warm dimming fixture, as well as providing motorized shades for key areas in the home. The ability to completely blackout the primary bedroom suite was at the top of the priority list for the project.
Challenges: The size of the existing 4” cans would not accommodate most retrofit solutions and opening the ceiling to install new fixtures would not be an option. The windows in the primary bedroom suite had no casework to hide tracks for blackout rollers. While not all window treatments in the home were going to be motorized, they wanted a consistent look throughout.
Existing Conditions:
4” Halo Downlights installed throughout the home
No window treatments for any windows
Trim-less windows throughout the home
Solutions: While both ourselves and the clients would have preferred a tunable white solution like Lutron Ketra for the main living areas, after conducting a test fit we realized this would not be an option for them. Instead, we compromised and installed a warm dim retrofit solution from DMF that could be installed quickly and with no disturbance to the homes ceiling. It still resulted in a massive upgrade to the quality of lighting in the space and the whole solution got installed in 1 day.
The window treatments in the primary bedroom would unfortunately not be so simple. To help find the best solution we brought in our partners at J Paul Studio to help us find a solution. After many meetings with J Paul, ourselves, Studio Guild (interior designer) and the client we arrived at a solution that met their requests rather nicely. J Paul Studios came up with a cornice design that was installed by the builder. The cornice houses both a motorized drapery track as well as motorized rollers, motorized romans while concealing the receptacle and power supplies needed. J Paul then installed custom tracks for the windows and sliding glass doors roller shades allowing for a complete blackout of the room. In the background the team at J Paul Studios was busy putting together custom rollers, romans and drapes in the fabrics and styles selected by Studio Gild.
Motorized shades were also designed in collaboration with Studio Guild and J Paul Studios got the Basement Great Room, Cardio Room, 1st Floor TV Room, Master Bath and Closet 1st Floor office and 2nd Floor Primary. The team also worked together to provide matching manual window treatments for the remaining 5 bedrooms and other living spaces.
This all resulted in an extremely clean installation that adds beauty and functionality to the space while contributing to the better rest and health of our clients and their guests.
Lighting Control
Request: The client wanted an intuitive and stable solution for controlling interior and landscape lighting as well as their motorized shades. The solution would need to include dimming and scene creation.
Challenges: The current lights in the house were already installed with line voltage switches.
Existing Condition:
Line voltage switches on all indoor circuits.
Lutron Casetta is utilized for controlling garage lights from inside the home.
Solutions: We chose to install Lutron’s RadioRa3 solution. By strategically placing hybrid keypads were able to provide comprehensive control without adding additional gangs to the plates. A tabletop keypad was provided for the primary bedroom to give them full control over the homes lighting from the room without the need to pull out the home. This solution enabled us to integrate the existing controls for the garage lighting as well as the new controls for the landscape lighting.
Simple scenes were programmed with the homeowners input to ensure they and their guests can easily operate all lighting zones in the home.
Landscape Lighting and Design
Requests: The client wanted the exterior of this summer home to be just as beautiful and inviting as the interior. We were tasked with creating a lighting design that would provide interest and harmony to our partner Terra Landscape Designs beautiful plantings in the evening hours. In addition to creating beauty the landscape lighting design needed to be functional as well providing illumination for the driveway and paths as people move throughout the space.
Challenge: Installing all fixtures and infrastructure on a tight timeline while the property is being relandscaped at the same time. Down lighting would require heavy equipment to be brought in so they could be placed at appropriate heights, and it all needed to be designed and installed on a 2 month timeline.
Solutions: We acted quickly to bring in both our partners at Terra Landscape Design as well as out sister company Hamptons Landscape Lighting. Through collaboration and close coordination we were able to organize schedules between the three teams to get everything installed and planted before the clients spring move in date.
Outcome and Impact: This project was executed within a stringent timeline and budget, meeting all client specifications and demonstrating our ability to navigate complex challenges with innovative solutions. The integration of technology was achieved without compromising the architectural beauty of the home or incurring costs to repair damages that would normally be incurred over the course of an installation like this.
Conclusion: The Amagansett spec home project showcases Home Technology Experts’ proficiency in delivering high-quality, integrated home technology solutions under challenging conditions. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic collaborations, we enhanced both the functionality and luxury of the property, affirming our commitment to excellence in the home technology integration industry. This case study not only highlights our innovative capabilities but also solidifies our reputation as leaders in creating sophisticated, user-friendly home environments.
Home Technology Experts partners with architects, builders, and designers to deliver luxury technology solutions that respect design integrity and client expectations. Contact us below to explore how we can support your next project with the same level of precision and collaboration.
Project Details
Home Technology Expert Team
Case Study by: Rhys Wescott, Design & Sales Consultant
Project Manager: Mike Rodney
Engineer: Jhohan Delgado
HLL Lighting Designer: Vanessa Kordich
Photographer: Elizabeth Leidel
Trade Partners
Jon Grossman Builders
Terra Landscape Designs
J Paul Studio
Studio Guild
Hamptons Landscape Lighting
Featured Manufacturers
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Lutron
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Sonance
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Dynaudio
DMF
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