Retrofitting Advanced Home Technology Without Compromising Structure
Amagansett, NY Case Study
Integrating Robust AV Solutions in Spec Build & Preserving Design Integrity.
This 8,800 square foot Amagansett spec home, built by Grossman Builders, offered striking finishes but only minimal technology. The property included a few Sonos zones, a standard Wi-Fi network, and static 3000K LED lighting, but it lacked the infrastructure to support the advanced systems the clients envisioned. With minimal pre-wire in place, Home Technology Experts was brought in to design and implement a retrofit strategy that preserved the home’s architectural integrity while delivering every feature the clients requested.
Client Brief:
As experienced homeowners, the clients had a clear sense of what worked for them and what did not. They wanted a robust, easy-to-use technology environment which didn’t rely on a singular control system. Priority areas included dedicated media room, indoor & outdoor audio and video, upgraded lighting, blackout shades in the primary suite, discreet surveillance, and reliable access control.
For indoor audio visual, creating a media room capable of both two-channel Hi-Fi and surround sound for movies was at the top of the list. Outdoor AV began as a blank slate, but the clients envisioned a comprehensive setup that would include an outdoor television and multiple audio zones.
They also wanted most of the downlighting in the home upgraded along with new controls, and the most important interior upgrade was blackout window treatments in the primary bedroom. To complement the AV additions outside, HTE was also tasked with creating and installing a comprehensive landscape lighting design that covered all areas of the property. Surveillance systems needed to be discreetly integrated, and access control was required for both the gate and the front doors.
Challenge:
The home’s pristine condition created both an opportunity and a constraint. As a newly constructed spec home, it lacked the essential infrastructure for modern technologies. The challenge was to integrate a full suite of enhancements without disturbing the finishes or compromising the home’s aesthetic appeal.
Solutions & Implementations
Lower-Level Recreational Room
Request: 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: A Sonos 4.1 surround sound system was installed utilizing existing in-ceiling speakers as rear channel. Up-front a pair of reference level Dynaudio Studio in-wall speakers were wired to a new Sonos Amp.
The amp was 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. Finally, a Sonos Gen3 Sub was added giving that extra punch that completed. Because all the Sonos equipment connects over the homes Wi-Fi network, no disturbance to the rooms finishes was required to create this comprehensive Dolby Digital surround sound environment.
Upstairs Family Room
Request: Improved audio quality for the television as original setup was limited to using the TV’s native speakers.
Existing Conditions:
65” Samsung Television flush mounted in the in-built wall unit.
(1) pair of Sonance in-ceiling speakers 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: The existing built-in had no room to install a soundbar into the existing millwork and no way to directly connect the existing speakers to the television without opening the walls or ceiling.
Solutions: After discussing options with the client, the decision was made to integrate Dynaudio bookshelf speakers. HTE discreetly routed wires from behind the Samsung Frame TV, where a Sonos amplifier was installed in the 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 then connected to a small switch in the backbox which utilized the existing CAT6 cable to connect everything to the homes wired network. This design allowed HTE to provide an excellent media room experience while maintaining the room’s design integrity.
Motorized Shades & Enhanced Lighting
Request: Upgrade existing downlighting to (at minimum) warm dimming fixtures and provide motorized shades in key areas of the home. In addition, the client requested a complete blackout via shades in the primary bedroom suite.
Challenge: 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 were going to be motorized, a consistent look throughout the home was vital.
Existing Conditions:
4” Halo Downlights installed throughout the home
No window treatments for any windows
Trim-less windows throughout the home
Solutions: Although a tunable white solution like Lutron Ketra was the ideal choice for the main living areas, testing showed this was not feasible for this project. Instead, a warm dim retrofit solution from DMF was selected, which could be installed quickly without disturbance to the ceilings. The result was a significant upgrade to the quality of lighting throughout the space which was completed in one day.
The window treatments in the primary bedroom required a more complex solution. To address this, Home Technology Experts collaborated with trade partners J Paul Studio and Studio Gild (interior design) for the solution. After extensive design meetings, the team developed a custom approach that met the clients’ needs quite nicely. J Paul Studios designed a cornice (installed by Grossman Builder) that housed the motorized drapery track as well as motorized roman rollers. The cornice also concealed the receptacle and power supplies for the treatments. Next, J Paul installed custom tracks for the windows and sliding glass door roller shades which then provided complete blackout of the room. Behind the scenes, the team at J Paul Studios fabricated custom rollers, romans and drapes in the fabrics and styles selected by Studio Gild.
The collaboration continued as motorized shades were also designed for the Basement Great Room, Cardio Room, 1st Floor TV Room, Master Bath & Closet, 1st Floor Office and 2nd Floor Primary Bedroom. To maintain continuity, matching manual window treatments were provided for the remaining bedrooms and other living spaces.
The result was a clean, streamlined installation that enhanced both the beauty and functionality of the home, while also supporting better rest and overall well-being for the clients and their guests.
Lighting Control
Request: Provide an intuitive and stable solution for managing both interior and landscape lighting as well as their motorized shades. The system needed to provide dimming capability and allow for the creation of custom scenes.
Challenge: The original lighting system had already installed with line voltage switches.
Existing Conditions:
Line voltage switches on all indoor circuits.
Lutron Casetta is utilized for controlling garage lights from inside the home.
Solutions: To provide a comprehensive yet non-invasive solution, Home Technology Experts implemented Lutron RadioRa3. Hybrid keypads were strategically placed to deliver full control without adding additional gangs to the wall plates.
A tabletop keypad was provided for the primary bedroom to allow the clients convenient access to all lighting zones without relying on mobile devices. This solution allowed for the integration of the existing garage lighting controls as well as the new controls for the landscape lighting.
Simple lighting scenes were programmed with the homeowners input to ensure they and their guests could easily operate the system with confidence and convenience.
Outdoor Spaces
Request: An AV solution for the backyard that included an outdoor TV, audio zones for the pool, cabana, porches and firepit, all controllable by the same interfaces as the indoor AV.
Challenge: No prewire for speakers or televisions outside of a wireless access point mounted to the ceiling of the cabana. The landscape would 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 support the reimagining of the landscape, Home Technology Experts collaborated with Terra Landscape Designs. This coordination allowed direct burial speaker wire and landscape lighting wire to be installed at the same time as new plantings, minimizing disruption to the property and ensuring the project was completed in time for the spring move-in.
Leon Terra speakers were discreetly positioned within plantings and behind the cabana’s privacy wall, delivering high-quality audio around the pool while preserving the landscape design. For the patios and firepit area, Origin Acoustics omni-directional bollard speakers were selected to create an even soundscape that complemented the home’s modern shingle-style architecture.
For outdoor video, a Samsung Terrace TV with matching soundbar was installed. By leveraging an existing Wi-Fi access point and the television’s built-in Smart Hub, the system provided seamless entertainment without the need for additional equipment.
Landscape Design & Lighting
Request: The clients wanted the exterior of their summer home to feel just as welcoming and refined as the interiors. The goal was to create a lighting design that highlighted the plantings provided by Terra Landscape Design, adding visual interest and harmony in the evening while also ensuring safety and functionality with illuminated driveways and pathways.
Challenge: Meeting this request required careful planning. The property was being relandscaped on a tight two-month timeline, and installing infrastructure at the same time posed logistical challenges. Downlighting added further complexity, as heavy equipment was needed to place fixtures at the proper height without damaging the new plantings.
Solutions: To deliver on schedule, Home Technology Experts partnered with Terra Landscape Design and Hamptons Landscape Lighting. Through close coordination, the three teams aligned construction and installation activities so that lighting and landscaping progressed seamlessly together. This collaboration ensured that all fixtures were in place before the clients’ spring move-in, resulting in an exterior environment that is both beautiful and functional.
For a deeper look at how the property’s landscape lighting was elevated, explore Hamptons Landscape Lighting’s case study focused on the outdoor lighting design and installation here https://hamptonslandscapelighting.com/case-studies/amagansett-case-study
Security & Access Control
Request: The homeowners wanted discreet security solutions that would provide peace of mind without disrupting the home’s clean design. Their priorities included full property surveillance, reliable video storage, and convenient gate and entry door access.
Challenge: Because the home featured a flat roof design, concealing cabling for the surveillance system presented significant obstacles. Routing wires without compromising the roof structure required custom planning and coordination with additional trades. The custom entry doors also limited options for installing smart deadbolts or strikes, reducing the available pathways for traditional access control solutions.
Solutions: Home Technology Experts installed eight Luma surveillance cameras connected to a dedicated NVR, providing full perimeter coverage of the property. To ensure a clean finish, roofers were brought in to reflash the roof and conceal all camera wiring, allowing the system to blend seamlessly with the architecture. For access control, a flush-mounted DoorBird station was added at the entry gate and front door, delivering reliable video entry and gate operation without compromising the custom millwork of the doors.
Conclusion
The project was completed within a strict timeline and budget, meeting all client expectations while demonstrating Home Technology Experts’ ability to manage complex challenges with innovative solutions. Advanced technology was integrated seamlessly into the residence without compromising its architectural beauty or requiring costly repairs that are often associated with retrofits of this scale.
The Amagansett spec home project highlights Home Technology Experts’ expertise in delivering high-quality, integrated solutions under demanding conditions. Through the use of advanced technology and close collaboration with trusted partners, the residence was transformed into a home that balances functionality with luxury. This case study underscores HTE’s reputation for creating sophisticated, user-friendly environments that align with the lifestyle and design standards of today’s most discerning homeowners.
Home Technology Experts partners with architects, builders, and designers to deliver luxury technology solutions that respect design integrity and client expectations.
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Project Details
Home Technology Expert Team
Case Study by: Rhys Wescott, Design & Sales Consultant
Project Manager: Mike Rodney
Engineer: Jhojan Delgado
HLL Lighting Designer: Vanessa Kordich
Photographer: Elizabeth Leidel
Trade Partners
Jon Grossman Builders
TerraDesign
J Paul Studio
Studio Gild
Featured Manufacturers
Sonos
Lutron
Origin Acoustics
Leon Speakers
Wattbox
Ovrc
Strong Racks
Ubiquiti Networks
Starlink
Doorbird
Luma Surveillance
Future Automation
Parasol - 24/7 Support
Sonance
Samsung Displays
Dynaudio
DMF
American Lighting