Lake Harriet Parkway Remodel Project        (View Gallery)

This 80 year old home underwent an extensive remodeling project that included a two-story addition. We had done the home theater in the client's previous home and they asked us to design the electronic technology for this home. Our design included the following systems: whole house music with music server, full lighting control system and two media rooms. An elaborate security system with integrated home automation, climate control integration, flood protection system, and an electronic digital deadbolt for the garage resulted in a savings of over a thousand dollars per year on the homeowner's insurance premium.

Music is very important to this client so we designed and installed a 12-zone high fidelity music system with premium loudspeakers throughout. Aside from music in the living areas, on the porch, and in the patio, they also have music in both walk-in closets, the bathroom, and the exercise room.

A lighting control system was installed to provide this client with convenience, energy savings, and safety. At the touch of a single button, the client can set the lighting “mood” throughout the house. For example, there are buttons for “entertain”, “all on”, and “goodbye.” The clients simply press the “goodbye” buttons as they are leaving and all of the lights in the house turn off. There is also a “vacation” button that randomly turns selected lights on and off between sunset and midnight so it always looks like the clients are at home. The lighting control system is also integrated into the security and automation system.

An elaborate security system was installed that monitors all doors and windows. The system also has glass breakage detectors along with motion sensors. Weatherproof outdoor motion sensors are mounted around the perimeter of the home. If motion is detected (small animals are ignored), all of the home’s exterior lights come on at once to deter would-be intruders. The lights turn off automatically after 10 minutes if no further motion is detected. Additionally, the security system monitors house temperature, has smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detection. The security system is monitored around the clock and has cellular phone backup in the event that the phone line gets cut or if the system can’t get a dial tone.

The home also has a flood protection system. Electronic sensors are mounted in critical areas such as under the boiler, near the water heater, under the washing machine, etc. If water is detected, the sensor tells a motorized water valve to shut of the water main to the house. The flood protection system is also integrated into the security system so that the homeowner is alerted if a water shut-down takes place. The homeowners can also tell the system to shut off the water, for example, if they are going out of town in the winter months.

Because the client chose to install the above protection systems, his homeowner's insurance premium dropped by more than a thousand dollars per year!

For more convenience, the client had us install an electric deadbolt on the garage service door so that no keys are required. The client simply enters a code on the electronic keypad and the garage door unlocks.

Two media rooms were installed at this property. The main media system is set up in the great room and features a high definition flat panel display along with Dolby Digital/DTS surround sound. The system is effortlessly controlled with a single master remote control so that a single button press will turn on all of the equipment and go to the correct mode (such as a specific TV channel).

In the third floor playroom is the second media system which also features surround sound and a single master controller.