JEWEL OF THE

EMERALD ISLE
The perfect harmony of history
and high-tech hotel luxury

OLD ENGLISH PUB PACKED WITH

SMART HOME SURPRISES
Biometric technology in a bar
befitting of Bond. James Bond.

SMARTS ON THE SKYLINE

Panama City monument a high-tech
testament to innovation

Spring 2018
 contents
HOME SMART HOME

ADD MAGIC TO YOUR MOVIES

Secrets to a stunning home cinema. 6
BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE
Binge-watching done right. 12
OLD ENGLISH PUB PACKED WITH
SMART HOME SURPRISES 16
A Beethoven statue boasts
a high-tech twist.

KING OF THE CONNECTED HOME

Multi-room audio takes its rightful 24
place on the throne.

TRICKED OUT TECH FOR

THE BACKYARD 28
Host only the most
spec-tech-ular patio parties.

IT'S ABOUT THE BASS

Streaming stats that will 32 34 REACH FOR THE SKIES
A plush, Panama bank that stretches
strike your chord. 23 stories into the sky.

44 CUSTOMIZING YOUR PAD

Pushing all of the right buttons.

46 JEWEL OF THE EMERALD ISLE

An ancient Irish hotel boasts high-tech luxury.

60 OUT-OF-SIGHT SOUND
Seeing isn’t believing, hearing is.

10 TEDIOUS TASKS NOW HANDLED BY VOICE

62 Vocabulary to tackle everyday tasks.
 editor's
HOME SMART HOME

note
One of my oldest and fondest memories as a child took place at the theater. From the Crystal Watts
moment I stepped up to the ticket box, the distinctive smell of buttery goodness wafting editor@control4.com
through the window would remind me that for the next few hours, I’d be transported
into another world. EDITOR
Crystal Watts
The Reel Theater, before its demolition, was once situated in a small town outside of Salt
Lake City, and I would frequent it often when visiting my immigrant Greek grandmother DESIGN
during summer breaks. With the most tempting concessions in the state (biased opin- Brett Lloyd, Livematter
ion) and a lineup of the very best arcade games you could get your hands on, my cousin
and I spent much of our childhood screening favorites like The Sandlot or fixed behind a DESIGN
classic Midway Mortal Kombat cabinet. It’s almost as vivid to me in my aging memory as CONTRIBUTORS
it was in my adolescent reality. Kevin Hole
Tazia Schoenfeld
But nothing captivated me quite like the robust sound; it wasn’t like listening to my
Walkman or the family room tube. It was—in a word—enveloping. I’ve always vowed to TECHNICAL EDITOR
replicate this experience in my own home one day, and this particular issue of Mike Sawyer
Home Smart Home parallels the timing of our own theater planning process. As we run
wires for Dolby Atmos and begin comparing projectors and testing out seating, CONTENT
I’m anxious to see what cine-magic will transpire in just a few, short months. CONTRIBUTORS
John Sciacca
After all, from the mouth of the great George Lucas, ”The sound and music are 50% Lisa Montgomery
of the entertainment in a movie.” Joni Warnick
Kordon Vaughn
Jordan Wills

PHOTOGRAPHERS
Franz Pavan Photography
Jack Harding Photography

Control4 Corporation
Copyright ©2018, Control4 Corporation. All rights reserved. Control4, the Control4 logo, the 4-ball logo,
4Store, 4Sight, Control4 My Home, Mockupancy, BakPak, Pakedge, Pakedge TruStream, SmartWav,
Corporate Offices
StealthPorts, and Triplex are registered trademarks or trademarks of Control4 Corporation or its 11734 S. Election Road
subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other names and brands may be claimed Draper, UT 84020
as the property of their respective owners. All specifications subject to change without notice.
New &
Noteworthy
NEW STREAMING MUSIC SMART PEOPLE PERSONALIZE CONTROL4 AMAZON ALEXA SKILL—
...music to your ears THEIR SMART HOMES NOW AVAILABLE IN CANADA!
It's about time, eh?
iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and Spotify join the Homeowners everywhere are reaping the
roster of streaming music services that come benefits of a professionally-installed smart The wildly-popular voice service that powers
standard for every new Control4 smart home home system coupled with the ability to do the Amazon Alexa family of devices is now
or system upgrade. The new services join a lot of customization all on their own. Here available in Canada. Control4 homeowners
other favorites including Deezer, Napster, are a few ways they are using When >> Then can now enjoy hands-free control of
Pandora, TIDAL, and TuneIn. As always, to personalize what happens at home. thousands of devices through simple and
homeowners can begin streaming music intuitive voice commands.
from all available services for which they “I wanted to know when my contract
have accounts—instantly from a Control4 remodelers were arriving in the mornings. See the possibilities at control4.com/alexa.
Touchscreen, handheld remote, by voice, So I jumped into When >> Then, and now
a programmable keypad, or the Control4 When the front door is unlocked, Then my
mobile app*—and fill the entire house house sends me a push notification. Only
with their favorites! took me two minutes to set up!”
-Becka P.

“Programmed a button in my kitchen to dim

the lights to 40% and kick on my wife’s Spotify
playlist when pressed. She loves it.”
-Terrance B.

“My teenagers love to leave their lights on. One

night I programmed their bedroom speakers
to play the song ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ when
they turned on their lights. For a few days,
they’d get ready for school in the dark, just to
avoid it. I’m sure we saved a little on power
that week.”
-Bill S.

*All new services listed require an annual

4Sight subscription license. Some may also
require the most recent operating system and/
or an EA-series smart home controller. Reach
out to your dealer for more information.

4
Add Magic to
Your Movies
Tips to creating
a striking cinema
at home

Crystal Watts

Since the earliest days of cinema, moving picture concrete walls, few doors and windows, and just
shows have provided a refuge from the reality of enough room to seat everyone comfortably. Your space
ordinary life. There’s something undeniably special should be constructed with acoustics in mind and to the
about sitting back and seeing the room fall into ideal dimensions for viewing.
darkness as voices lower to a whisper and the Starting over with a retrofit of an existing garage, attic,
credits begin to roll. or side room, however, will require a bit more creativity.
The mystery behind the movie magic will always You might think that the technological equipment
be a part of its charm. But the rules for replicating you buy and furniture you put in the space will
this experience yourself don’t have to be such a define your theater experience. This, however, is not
secret. Today, armed with the latest technology and the case. Making an effort to optimize your room’s
a little DIY ingenuity, you can bring Hollywood to life existing physical acoustical characteristics will
for much less than you might have imagined. go the furthest toward creating a truly immersive
environment, and it begins with understanding
STARTING NEW OR STARTING OVER? the shape of your room and the dimensions you’re
working with. Bigger rooms mean deeper base, and
If you can start new from scratch and include that’s never a bad thing. But smaller spaces make it
blueprints for a theater in the initial construction, easier to create an intimate, sealed-in soundscape.
you’re already one step ahead. Collaborate with your To begin, look carefully at the room you’ve chosen
building contractor and create a custom-purpose to remake into a theater. When creating the perfect
room that fits seamlessly with the style, character, home system, you’ll want to plan out ahead of time
and function of the rest of your property. When how to maximize every inch you have to work with.
building your theater from the bottom up, you The placement of windows, walls, and other
can plan ahead to include the wiring you’ll need furnishings will significantly impact the acoustics
for lighting, audio, and video before the walls are and operation of every component you choose
even built. And if you’d like to mount a retractable to install. Draw up plans to help avoid any
projector, install professional-quality cinema seats, or construction challenges before you begin tearing
add extra sound-absorbing insulation. These features down (and into) your walls. Confirm that your room
can be better accommodated early on, as well. has the space to accommodate a 100- to 120-inch
Most experts would agree that the basement screen, and the throw distance to match your
is the best area of the home in which to replicate projector to that screen. And, of course, you’ll want
the traditional theater experience. This is because, to make sure that the space can become completely
for optimal sound and video, a dedicated media dark when it’s time for the movie to begin.
room should be as isolated as possible—think thick

6
7
 Last but not least, it’s wise to ELECTRONIC You don’t have to be an audiophile to
“future proof ” your system and design CONSIDERATIONS appreciate the value of a strong sound
it in such a way that makes it easy system. When it comes down to it,
to upgrade components down the Selecting the right electronic the most important aspect of a film
road. By introducing two-inch cable equipment will elevate your movie- is the dialogue. Every cent spent on a
conduit into the pre-wire planning watching experience and help you surround sound speaker system can
phase, you can help future cables, replicate all the timeless romance, be well worth it!
like fiber optic, fit through finished drama, and mayhem of the silver Depending on how you’ve chosen
ceilings and walls without effort. screen. You don’t need to spend a to design your theater room, you may
Now if you’re at the design stage, fortune outfitting your room with the have room to add more speakers and
but aren’t sure what technology you latest and greatest components; you possibly more than one subwoofer.
need to include in your new home just need to spend wisely. And don’t But for a “traditional” Dolby Digital
theater system, know that this year forget your tape measure—whatever 5.1 system, you’ll need five speakers
most products are “smarter” than equipment you buy, you’ll need it to ( front and center channel speakers,
ever before. There’s plenty of new fit through the door! plus left and right surround speakers
audio/video equipment and theater and one decent sub). The placement
trends that hit it big in 2017. Here Audio of the subwoofer and the speakers
are some suggestions to start your Start from the sound up. Make in your room will have a significant
shopping list: sure to budget for all acoustical impact on sound quality and bass, so
components you’ll need to ensure a give yourself enough room to move
three-dimensional audio experience. everything around a bit. A longer

8
cable (25 ft. / 7.62 meters or so) will help
here, and for speaker wire, a 250-ft. (76.2
meters) roll of 16-gauge wire should do
the trick. Ideally, your left and right front
speakers should be placed at an identical
angle away from the central seating point,
equidistant from both the audience and the
screen. Allow a clear path for the sound to
travel; if you can’t see one or both of them,
sound is being blocked. Place your surround
speakers on both sides of the seating area
just above ear height. The location of the
subwoofer is the most flexible—just be sure
to avoid placing it directly in a corner. Don’t
be afraid to fine-tune its placement as you
begin putting your theater system to use.

Visuals
There’s nothing like sitting in the glow of a
crystal-clear movie image, and with little
more than a pitch-dark room, a projector,
and a screen, you’ll be able to achieve a
fairly adequate visual presentation. But with
today’s technology moving at breakneck
speed, there’s no reason to not look for
devices that deliver the best and brightest in
modern movie viewing. Some of the newest
models will even let you go 3D.
A projector and a large screen will allow selection of home theater receivers offers SEATING, FLOORING,
you to go big, but before you plunk down the all the fundamentals: 5.1 surround sound AND MORE
cash for a new projector, be sure to calculate support, 3D compatibility, and more user-
exactly what’s best for your room. It’s wise friendly functionality. If you’re going to invest in quality audio/
to go online and choose a model that offers Lighting is the last critical component. video equipment, it only makes sense that
a winning combination of picture quality, Control4’s smart lighting line will raise your you’ll also want to customize the room’s
light output, and price. And while a great home theater’s IQ by providing wireless flooring, seating, and decor for acoustical
projector may come at a steep cost up front, dimmer, switch, and keypad functionality. balance and ease of viewing.
it will give you and your audience the best Gone are the days of getting up to switch A perfect theater experience encompasses
possible box office experience. lights on and off after the movie has started. all five of the viewer’s senses: sight, sound,
Now, when it comes to the projection A connected light system will allow you to touch, taste, and even smell. From comfy
screen, you essentially have two options: not only control the color and brightness theater seats to freshly popped popcorn,
fixed and retractable. A fixed screen is the of the bulbs, but also switch up the room’s why shouldn’t you have it all?
superior choice for several reasons. First, ambiance right from your remote or the First, make sure your room’s flooring
a fixed screen with a frame border (ideally smartphone in your pocket. treatment will be an asset to your new
covered in soft, black material) will help sound system. Carpeted floors are best for
everyone’s eyes focus on the bright moving Extra Accessories absorbing big, powerful bass, as well as
pictures and amp up the perceived contrast An expansive theater setup often leads to a for helping to control and clarify higher
of the image. tangled mess of wires, but this can be avoid- frequencies. And in your dedicated theater
Your audio/video receiver might not be ed with some simple cable clamps and ties, a room—as we’ve mentioned before—it’s
the hottest piece of equipment, but it’s the cord organizer, and cable tunnel kit. Be sure critical to have total control over ambient
hub of your home theater—the brains of the to purchase a power protection device as light. Any glimpse of the sun risks washing
operation. Your amplifier and receiver will well; in case of a sudden electrical spike or a out the image on screen. You have a wide
tell your sound system what to do and how power outage, you’ll want to be prepared. range of options when it comes to sound
to sync up with what’s on screen. Today’s and light proofing your space. Thick drapes

9
work double duty by working as sound
absorbers as well as sealing out sunshine.
And for the ceiling, soundproofing
acoustic deadening sound tiles are an
inexpensive way to minimize as much
outside noise as possible.
Now you can consider different
seating possibilities. Shipping pallets
are a terrific and inexpensive option,
but you’ll need space to set them up the
right way. Once they’re in place, however,
you can fit DVDs, books, and magazines
into spaces on the side for additional
storage. If you’ve got a bit more room in
your budget, you can look beyond DIY
seats and max out on lounge recliners,
typically with cup holders, foot rests,
massagers, and heat all built in. Bottom
line is, while there are a few constraints
in how you plan your seating style,
don’t be afraid to follow stereotypical
conventions. Bean bag chairs, even
inflatable couches, are making a
comeback. Just be sure that any type of
unconventional seating you add won’t
negatively impact the room’s acoustics or
block anyone’s view!
In a dedicated home theater space,
you can go as wild as you like with the
decor (Lava lamps? Shag rugs? A cheeky
life-sized replica of the Gojira monster?), VIDEO DISTRIBUTION or gaming devices) to 10 video display
but if your guests don’t share a passion for locations in crisp, clear 4K HD.
retro 60’s ambiance (or anything else your Finally, you’re ready to sit down with a cold An unbeatable home theater is within
humble heart desires to hang on the wall), soda, your favorite film treat, and enjoy the reach, and the latest technology can
be sure to have another secret weapon at the show. When your home theater system is provide for intelligent solutions for both
ready: salty, sugary, irresistible movie snacks. “smart” enough to connect to a myriad of new construction homes or retrofit installs.
Any truly epic home cinema will provide other products in your home (such as the Armed with a little research and simple DIY
the audience with delicious concessions shades, security system, and door locks), you skills, it's possible to create a killer home
to accompany whatever’s screening that can put your mind at ease and lose yourself theater in less than the total run time of
night, whether it be a film club viewing of in the moment at hand. A single tap on a Gone with the Wind. ■
Citizen Kane or the debut of a new Minions Control4 touch screen can start or stop the
flick. For this, use a little imaginative effort movie in an instant, if needed, and connect
to assemble a snack bar that can hold your you to other audio and video devices around
preference of food and beverages. True the home.
connoisseurs should consider a margarita And wouldn’t it be even more convenient
machine, a home soda fountain, or even a if you could experience the pleasure of your
beer tap. audio and video media in every room? With
Control4’s multi-room video solutions, every
member of your home audience is able to
enjoy the same film you’re watching in any
room of the house. Using one remote, you
can distribute 10 HDMI sources (satellite/
cable boxes, streaming media, media players,

10
TRIAD HOME THEATER
CAPTIVATE ALL OF YOUR SENSES
The magic of a truly riveting home theater is a combination of sight and sound so realistic that
you feel embodied in the film. Added to a massive screen and projector, Control4 and Triad Audio
solutions make your home theater experience far superior than going out to see a movie.
With one touch, fire up your Dolby Atmos® system, queue the surround sound, drop the screen,
and dim the lights. All you’ll need is the popcorn.

Copyright ©2018, Control4 Corporation. All rights reserved. Control4, Control4 logo and Triad are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Control4 Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other names and brands may be claimed as the
property of their respective owners. All specifications subject to change without notice.
11
The BEST SEAT
in the House
Smart, stylish, and
comfortable seating
for your in-home
movie marathons
LOCK DOWN A LAYOUT

If you’re trying to make your theater look

Lisa Montgomery
as close to the real thing as possible,
rows of individual seats may be the ideal
configuration. However, know that you

A
home theater should feel like can always include loveseats, sofas, and
a special destination in your chaise longue in your home theater design.
house—the one place you can Additionally, the seats can be arranged
retreat for a couple of hours in a straight line or a gentle curve, and
to escape from reality and be transported placed on risers for a stadium-style seating
into another world. The place you like to arrangement. Know how you’d like to
visit frequently with friends and family to arrange out your chairs before you buy;
enjoy the latest blockbuster releases—but it will help you choose the right size and
without walking out with a backache from shape to best fit the dimensions of your
sitting in a poorly constructed seat. home theater room.

GET COMFORTABLE EXUDE STYLE

The best antidote for movie-theater aches Once you have nailed down the type of seat
and pains is a seat designed expressly for your theater, it’s time to think about wrapping the arms and base of the seat
for movie viewing. You might think the how you’d like them upholstered. The sky with beautifully stained veneer.
cushions of that cushy couch are comfy, but is the limit, as manufacturers offer a wide
they can’t provide the support necessary for range of fabrics, colors, and textures to DO THE DETAILS
extended hours on your derriere. Specialty suit your style. Leather is always a popular
home theater seats are constructed of choice for its durability and resistance to A theater seat can be so much more than a
materials to provide the back and lumbar stains and dirt, but your theater seats can place to plant your backside. If you like to
support needed for movie marathons. These be covered in suede, velvet, mohair—just nosh on snacks and sodas during a movie,
chairs also sport features like reclining about anything—and in any color, from accessorize your seats with built in-cup
action, massage and heat, and adjustable neutrals like gray and brown to vivid hues holders and retractable trays.
headrests to maximize your comfort. Most like cherry red and cobalt blue. You can choose to have the cup holders
manufacturers of specialty theater seating Do you want your theater to look illuminated and the trays motorized for an
offer several levels of firmness, so you can modern, ornate, rustic, or perhaps you’re extra flair. Integrated lighting on the base
customize the cushions to your liking. designing the room around a specific of the chair can help you find your way to
Customization of comfort doesn’t stop theme? The fabric chosen for the seats your seat in the dark, and built-in ports
there. If you’re tall, you can order a seat should reflect this style. You can take can keep your phone and tablets charged.
back to fit your frame. Ditto for the width this design scheme a step further by A storage compartment is another handy
and shape of the seat, the size of the incorporating special finishes like fringe, embellishment, providing a stowaway spot for
armrests, and the height of the chair. tufting, nail heads, elaborate stitching, even blankets, pillows, remotes, and other items.
have your family emblem embroidered on You take your movie viewing experience
seat backs. You can add wood of any type or to a whole new level by sliding a product
finish to the seating design, as well, like called a “tactile transducer” underneath

12
13
 Some smart seats
can even shake with
the movie action,
creating a more
lifelike experience.

the chair. Designed to synch with the you’ve taken a seat. It’s akin to the seating investment. Still, it’s just one
movie action, it shakes and vibrates way seats in luxury cars move to more reason to consider specialty
the seat so you feel what’s happening cater to your comfort without any theater seats for your special home
on the screen. These products add manual manipulation. These smart theater destination. Your backside
another sensory experience to your seats are even smarter, however, as will thank you. ■
theater—touch—for special effects they can activate certain features of
that turn your room into a 4D theater. your home theater based on whether
you’ve sat down or stood up. For
SMART SEATS example, sitting down can trigger the
lights to begin dimming; standing
Home theater seating manufacturers up can tell the light to brighten. This
are pushing the envelope even more level of intelligence does require that
by incorporating into their product the seat be integrated with a home
special sensors that enable their automation system, which will drive
chairs to adjust automatically when up the cost of your home theater

14
 DISH:
Beautiful from
every angle.

MEET THE 4K JOEY® : Featuring IP integration with popular control platforms, this receiver is capable
of powering a matrix switch, individual display, or projector for a seamless, 4K-enabled entertainment
experience*. Why? Because you asked us for more connected technology in the home.

DISH.com/CEDIA
TM

*Watching 4K requires a 4K TV.

4K Joey set-top box requires Hopper® Smart DVR setup.
15
Pub
Old English

A SECRET
BIOMETRIC
BUTTON ON
A STATUE OF
BEETHOVEN
Packed with Smart Home Surprises

SWINGS OPEN
A DOOR TO
REVEAL A
HIDING PLACE

Lisa Montgomery, Electronic House

Video and music are a given in any pub,

be it an establishment in town or in your
own home. But a safe room? Not so much.
A secret button tucked underneath
a statue of Ludwig Van Beethoven
that reveals that room? That’s even
more unusual.
Biometric technology embedded in
that button that scans and reacts to the
fingerprint of only a few certain people?
Now that’s one high-tech bar.
In the midst of renovating their
6,500-square-foot home, the owners
of this space pulled out all the stops
and incorporated high-tech touches
throughout the residence. The newly
added bar area, though, received the
royal treatment, thanks to the creative
minds at Futurian Systems.

PROJECT INSTALLATION: Futurian Systems

PROJECT LOCATION: Vail Valley, Colorado

16
17
18
 BEETHOVEN AND SINATRA
UNLEASH THE MAGIC

“The homeowners are very tech savvy

and wanted something unique for their
new ‘Old English Pub.’ Their request
was very specific and straightforward:
they wanted this to be the nicest home
bar in all of Vail,” says Futurian Systems
president, Jeremy Beck. “Over the course
of the construction, wiring, and design
of the bar area, we collaborated with the
homeowners to develop some solid ideas
in terms of the technology that would
be incorporated. The biometric scanner
adds a sense of mystery and makes this
bar like no other.”
Stationed at the end of the bar, the
statue of Beethoven sits atop a pedestal.
Pivoting the bust backwards slightly
reveals a button that, when touched,
unlocks and opens the safe room door.
The statue of Beethoven inspired other
innovative high-tech twists. For example,
when the owners press a button labeled
“Entertainment Mode” on a handheld
Control4 remote, wall-mounted Control4
touch screen, or on the Control4 app on
a mobile device, Beethoven’s Symphony
No. 5 blasts through a pair of bookshelf
Beethoven holds
the "key" to the speakers. Joining in are colored LED
safe room lights behind a pane of glass at the front
of the bar, and fixtures that brighten
and dim automatically to the owners’
preferred levels. In an instant, the room is
ready to entertain family and friends.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FUTURIAN SYSTEMS

While Symphony No. 5 sets the

scene, the owners can easily switch to
a different piece of music by using one
of their Control4 devices to access their
favorite streaming music services. One
of their favorites, says Beck, is Frank
Sinatra, so Futurian Systems created a
special “Frank Sinatra” button that pulls
up the Frank Sinatra Sirius XM channel.

19
BAR CUES HOMEOWNER TO ARRIVING GUESTS

The audio system can also give the homeowners a “heads

up” that guests have arrived. Futurian Systems tied the
Control4 audio system, which can deliver music to the
bar speakers and every speaker in the house, to a
driveway sensor. When the sensor detects that a car
has entered the property, it triggers the audio system
to temporarily interrupt the music and play a chime.
The chime sounds again when the sensor detects that
vehicles are leaving.
To add video to the mix, another tap of a button
activates the 40-inch Samsung 4K TV mounted to the
wood paneling at the side of the bar. Futurian attached
the TV to an articulating wall mount that allows the TV
to be pulled away from the wall and swiveled in
all directions.

20
21
 Futurian didn’t stop at providing only
entertainment in this bar, however. From
the same control devices that provide
access to video and music, the owners
can operate the security system, control
all lighting throughout the house, and
direct music and video to other speakers
and TVs in other rooms.
The words of Beethoven are applicable
to the technological art that was tweaked
and perfected in this home to excite and
impress its owners: “Don’t only practice
your art, but force your way into its
secrets.” ■

22
YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC IN PREMIUM,
HIGH-RESOLUTION QUALITY
You’re used to your music being portable—listening in the car or at work—and it’s easy to accept
a lower quality of sound when you’re on the go. But when you’re at home, you should never have
to sacrifice quality for portability.
With your favorite streaming services built into every Control4 system, and the Triad line of
speakers, audio switches, and amplifiers, you can now bring the concert experience into your
home and enjoy incredibly refined sound throughout every room in the house.

Integration with a homeowner’s Control4 system and each service require separate subscriptions and/or accounts to each service, and is to
subject to the availability of the service in the homeowner’s area.
Copyright ©2018, Control4 Corporation. All rights reserved. Control4, Control4 logo and Triad are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Control4 Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other names and brands may be claimed as the
property of their respective owners. All specifications subject to change without notice. 23
From bulky systems to seamless sound:
WHY MULTI-ROOM AUDIO IS KING OF
THE CONNECTED HOME
HOMEOWNERS
ARE NOW
EXPERIENCING
WHAT THEY DIDN'T
EVEN KNOW
THEY WERE
MISSING

24
Kordon Vaughn

T here’s no doubt about it—audio is a huge draw into

the connected home. But where did multi-room audio
get its start? And what does the evolution of multi-
room audio mean for the industry moving forward?
Interest in multi-room audio can be traced back
almost as long as recorded music has existed—people
have always wanted a way to enjoy it in every room of their
home. Throughout the decades, multi-room systems have
evolved from broadcast radio and have almost universally
been sold as a premium, in-home experience meant to be
shown off and fawned over. Records, reel-to-reel tape, and
then cassettes led the way in recorded music for years until
CDs became king. CDs were compact, relatively durable, and
made it easier for consumers to listen to music—though some
would argue that this started us on a path to lower sound
quality, as some details were lost in the conversion from
analog to digital.

Next came MP3s. Popularized by iPods and other

portable devices, MP3s allowed a more portable and
personal experience for consumers to carry many albums
in the palm of their hand. File compression required
for MP3 meant a reduction in sound quality, ridding
the music of the details and depth that are found in the
original recordings but not exposed when listening with
earbuds. With all that music on an iPod, many consumers
figured, “why not just use that as my music source in the
home?” and, almost without noticing it, their music lost
some of its life. A “new normal” emerged for consumers
where they were enjoying music, but not at the level that
the artist intended.
Streaming music services have now emerged as the
ultimate in music portability, allowing audio enthusiasts
and music lovers to access almost any album they want
from a variety of sources. But as the battle between
streaming services plays out, consumers are now
becoming familiar with higher-resolution audio and are
becoming more aware of the missing “goods.” Service
choices wane in popularity as new options appear on the
market, but companies like Deezer, Napster, Pandora,
Spotify, and Tidal continue to lead the way. Because the
music is streamed and not stored on a portable device,
listeners may actually be able to enjoy higher-quality
music without sacrificing convenience, which also makes
for a better listening experience at home.

25
 High resolution is now emerging as the next big thing
in multi-room audio as consumers experience what they
didn’t even know they were missing. And because it’s not
isolated to a listening room, customers are able to enjoy
the more immersive, more emotionally engaging music
experience wherever they are in the house; a homeowner
can start listening to music while making dinner and then
move into the dining room without skipping a beat or
disrupting the mood. High-resolution music that follows
them wherever they may be is a key differentiator from
free-standing audio systems that can only be heard in
one room. Music can be enjoyed the way it was intended.
Turning an entire house into an immersive music listening
environment really elevates a homeowner’s enjoyment of
their system and makes entertaining or everyday living a
true-to-sound audio experience.
Not only does multi-room audio sound better than ever,
it is easier than ever to enjoy. With one-touch solutions
like Control4’s keypads, touch screens, or handheld
remote interfaces, homeowners can literally listen to
their favorite music with a single press of a button, which
can also set the lights, shades, and thermostat to suit the
mood. And there are many in-wall, in-ceiling, and even
invisible speaker options, available from quality speaker
manufacturers, that can complement or blend into any
room of the home.
Multi-room audio doesn’t have to be limited to the
inside of a home. With the increasing interest in outdoor
audio comes solutions like the Triad Garden Array
Outdoor Speakers that bring advanced, broad-dispersion
sound to outdoor living—a far cry from crackly, mounted
speakers that don’t allow for high-level user control. Even
better, they’re design friendly and easily blend into a
home’s landscape.
So how will we see multi-room audio evolve over the
next five to ten years? Technology will help it become
more pervasive and integrated into our homes and our
lives. It will be more personalized. Simpler to access and
interact with. More immersive and emotionally engaging.
And, with the constantly expanding list of streaming
services available, high-resolution sound is likely to be
a huge game changer. ■

TECHNOLOGY IS MAKING OUR

MUSIC AT HOME EVEN MORE
PERSONALIZED

26
27
 TRICKED-OUT TECH
for your back yard
Make the most of your home’s living space by
sprucing up the back yard
Smart technology spans the bridge between indoors and out, creating an inviting space
that’s enjoyable for guests and easy to maintain for the host. With a dose of inspiration
from this list, you can transform even the smallest patch of grass into your own tech-
Crystal Watts savvy oasis. Read on for some ideas to get started!

28
 PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF COMPANIES FEATURED
LYNX SMARTGRILL RACHIO SMART SPRINKLER BACKYARD HYDRO HAMMOCK
Nothing beats an outdoor meal, Dry, dead grass is the enemy of any Find your backyard bliss in this hot tub/
and the Lynx SmartGrill will have outdoor enthusiast. Wouldn’t it hammock hybrid. It also sets up as a hot
your backyard barbeque heating up be nice if you could always avoid waterbed! For anyone who takes their
in no time. And in the company’s watering in the rain, optimize your relaxation seriously, this heavy-duty
trademark stainless steel, they’re watering schedule, and water only waterproof cocoon is made of durable,
not only smart, but sleek, too. The the parts of your yard that need it UV-resistant acrylic canvas and can
world’s first voice-activated grill, it most? To ensure your lawn stays hold two people or up to 50 gallons of
also “learns” your preferences for hydrated and problem free, consider a water. According to the company, the
doneness and cooks your food to connected sprinkler device. This easy Hydro Hammock uses “less water than a
perfection each time using a patented irrigation tool syncs with Amazon’s bathtub” and is equipped with a heater to
machine-learning algorithm. The Alexa, Google Home, Control4, Nest, bring your portable tub to a comfortable
corresponding mobile app will help and other popular home automation temperature in 30 to 45 minutes. Perfect
you keep things from getting systems, so no matter where you are, for use all year round, this hot tub won’t
too smoky should you step away it’s never been simpler to show off take you back in time, but it might send
from the burners. your green thumb. you to paradise.
lynxgrills.com rachio.com hydrohammock.com

29
for your back yard
TRICKED-OUT TECH

TROBOMOW: ROBOTIC LAWN TRIAD’S GARDEN

the audio can be instantly started
MOWER ARRAY SPEAKERS
through an app, a keypad, or a touch
Your Roomba’s wild cousin. Equipped to handle the outdoors screen. Built to resist inclement
With a Robomow RS612 robotic with ease, Triad’s Garden Array weather and curious critters, too,
lawnmower, your space outdoors can speakers are all weather and the Garden Array can scale to fit
be kept manicured to perfection— feature high-performance audio your home’s unique style and your
automatically. Silent, powerful, that delivers rich, dynamic sound budget—making it the perfect low-
and a breeze to control, this turbo to transform your yard into the maintenance listening solution.
trimmer cuts grasses short or tall perfect entertaining space. Ultra- triadspeakers.com
with ease. The free mobile app adds Broad Dispersion (UBD) provides
extra functionality to this hearty superior sound coverage using fewer
bot, making it possible to schedule speakers, so you’ll enjoy evenly
mowing, customize functions, set an dispersed sound without needing to
alarm, or trigger an “eco-mode” that crank up the tunes so loud that you
enables you to monitor usage data. annoy the neighbors. When tied to
usa.robomow.com an automation system like Control4,

30
THE COOLEST
The best thing about having a yard
OUTDOOR COOLER
you love is that it’s a perfect excuse
What’s cooler than being cool? to spend time outside. Consider
Ice cold…drinks! And, of course, how you envision using the space—
a built-in Bluetooth speaker, plus will it be for pool parties, book club
handy tools like a bottle opener, USB meetings, or yoga practice?—and
charger, and cutting board (plus experiment with the great array of
cutlery). The Coolest Cooler functions gadgets available to help you put it all
like a Swiss Army knife for your pool together. In your back yard, the sky’ss
parties, offering a blender component the limit! ■
and LED light, as well. Charge up the
20V lithium battery, and you’re ready
to chill anywhere.
coolest.com

31
32
33
 PROJECT INSTALLATION: Next Level Technology

PROJECT LOCATION: Panama City, Panama

REACH
FOR THE
SKIES
With its reflective glass facade and
sharp-angled, tapered exterior, Capital
Bank Tower seems to pierce the heart
of Panama’s financial district like a
shimmering stake in the ground, a bold
marker for the future of office buildings
in the city. Designed from the start to
be smart in every sense of the word,
the 23-story tower may not be the city’s
tallest (that honor goes to the 70-story
Trump Ocean Club International Hotel
and Tower, completed in 2011), but what
it lacks in height it certainly makes up for
in elegance and ingenuity.

34
ONE OF THE LATEST ADDITIONS TO THE PANAMA
CITY SKYLINE, CAPITAL BANK TOWER STANDS AS
BOTH A MONUMENT TO THE CITY’S VIBRANT TRADE
HISTORY AND A HIGH-TECH TESTAMENT TO ITS
CONFIDENCE IN CONTINUED INNOVATION AND
SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS

35
 Commercial building has exploded
in Panama City since the turn of the
millennium, but the city’s history as
a global trade hub goes back almost
500 years, thanks to its fortuitous
location on one of the world’s most
important shipping routes—the
Isthmus of Panama, which links the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It was
a stopping-off point for gold and
silver traders crossing the Americas
to Spain in the 16th and 17th
centuries, and with the completion
of the Panama Canal in 1914, the
city cemented its status as a key

36
 international center for trade and and break down traditional thinking the proposal was modified, creating a
commerce. Today, it is best known as an about what a financial building design with different levels and areas
offshore banking hub, home to around should be like. Instead of a severe, standing out at the front to highlight
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FRANZ PAVAN PHOTOGRAPHY

80 banks (15 of them home grown). stuffy fortress (sadly still the default the Capital Bank logo,” SBA says.
Work on the tower began in 2010, for many financial institutions), the The basement and ground floor
after Panama’s Capital Bank decided vision was to create a welcoming, house the bank branch itself, while
to build an HQ fit for a forward- environmentally sustainable space the rest of the tower features a multi-
thinking, 21st-century finance that also reflected the bank’s story car park, mezzanine, restaurant
company. The growing bank secured confidence, dynamism, and drive area, office space, VIP meeting rooms,
a prime spot in Calle 50—the main for innovation. and an auditorium. “The tower far
street of the city’s financial district— After assessing various proposals, exceeds the requirements of any last-
where it could bring its divisions the bank selected local architects Saul generation financial building,” the
together under one roof. It wanted Bassan Associates (SBA) to realize its architect adds. It is also a showcase
the tower to make a bold statement bold vision for the building. “Later, for sustainable construction, having

37
been LEED* certified (*Leadership in wealth, with its wood and marble
Energy and Environmental Design, fixtures, gold marble-tiled floor,
a global program to recognize sumptuous seating, and subdued spot
environmentally friendly building, lighting. But even here, the space is
administered by the US Green punctuated by playful and futuristic
Building Council). As well as using touches—such as the fun, leaf-relief
sustainable materials and following staircase walls, mirrored elevator, and
green building guidelines, Control4 curvy touch-screen pedestals where
smart lighting ensures all lights in the customers can access bank services
building are switched off at night or electronically.
when not in use. The building’s technology is
Capital Bank Tower was completed not merely cosmetic—it forms a
in June 2016 and has quickly become fundamental part of what makes
The bank is
a popular local landmark, with the tower such a showpiece for the Centralized Lighting throughout not only a
people now commonly referencing green, people-friendly workplace the building that can maximize technological
marvel, it's also
it in directions. At street level, bank of the future. “There’s been a lot of energy efficiency and provide a showcase
customers have 24-hour access to commercial construction in Panama the right custom lighting for any for sustainable
construction.
a high-tech ATM plaza that looks City over the past decade, but none scenario at the touch of a button.
like something from Star Trek, with has taken automation to this level Similarly, meeting room windows
angular strips of white, in-floor before,” says Elias Mugrabi, general can be shaded automatically or on
lighting that accentuate a space-age, manager of smart tech specialist Next command, to give people privacy
chevron-shaped counter that cleverly Level Technology, whose Control4- or block out unwanted external
echoes the tower’s exterior and the based solution was selected by light. Training rooms, offices, and
bank’s “flying bird” logo. Live financial Capital Bank at the outset to be the VIP meeting rooms also feature
tickers scroll around the top of the “brains” of the tower. Control4 automated video and
walls, drawing in passers-by. Working closely with the audio technology to make screening
The ground-floor bank lobby, architect and designer, Next Level video and delivering presentations
meanwhile, exudes warmth and has integrated fully automated wirelessly a breeze. The days of

38
39
 fumbling with cables and apologizing
to feet-shuffling guests as someone
makes embarrassed calls to tech
support are a thing of the past, at
least for Capital Bank.
Above the ground floor are 10
floors of car parking with motion
sensors to switch on lights only
when needed. Floors 11-23 house
sumptuous offices, safety deposit
boxes, trading floors, the bank’s
leasing division, training areas, and
guest facilities. But for Next Level’s
Mugrabi, the pinnacle of the tower’s
automated excellence is its VIP
Each meeting room has its area—the top three floors, housing
own pedestal that glows
a plush entertainment space and 11
green if available and red
when occupied. high-spec, high-tech meeting rooms.
Here, the wooden ceiling again
echoes the bank’s logo with its
Kandinsky-esque angled panels.

40
Various designer seating areas ooze to allow occupants to select the
luxury and modernity, with neat correct room ambiance at the touch
touches like the huge, tapering glass of a button. “For example, if they press
lamp referencing the shape of the the button labelled ‘presentation,’
tower itself. Contemporary artworks the projector turns on, the lights dim
are dotted throughout the space to 30%, and the shades go down.”
and on meeting room walls. Some says Mugrabi. “A glass adhesive on
depict scenes from Panama’s tropical the windows can also change from
rainforest, reflecting the tower’s transparent to non-transparent,
strong emphasis on sustainability. providing privacy on demand.”
Ambient audio is installed And integrated audio allows for
throughout and can be centrally presentations to be easily shared
or locally controlled via Control4 with other meeting rooms.
keypads and touch screens. Floor 12, which houses the
A corridor leads to the VIP meeting auditorium and training rooms, is
rooms, each with a pedestal outside another part of the tower where
that glows green if a room is free, or smart technology comes to the fore.
red if it is occupied. Each pedestal Mugrabi says, “Meeting rooms on
houses a Control4 touch screen to this floor have wireless microphones
manage use of the room. Control4 between all rooms. Keypads in each
keypads are embedded into the tables room can control collaborative,

41
multi-touch video projectors with construction methods, Capital Bank
audio. We have also installed a video Tower represents an understanding
matrix to share video between the that Panama’s riches extend beyond
auditorium and all training rooms in money to the country’s precious
case the auditorium is fully occupied.” natural environment, which—as
It is a truly stunning building, forward-thinking companies like
inside and out—and one which Capital Bank realize—must be
undoubtedly raises the bar for respected and protected if the city is
future high-rise projects in the city. to carry its success forward for the
But as well as pointing the way to next 500 years. ■
the future, the tower also reflects
(literally, in its mirrored exterior)
Panama City present and past—a
thriving financial hub with a 500-
year history of global trade. And
with its focus on sustainability Keypads are embedded into the tables to allow occupants to
select the correct room ambiance at the touch of a button.
through modern technology and

42
 BluOS® offers a complete whole-home music ecosystem with an intuitive user interface, that allows
users to stream music from a network library and many popular streaming music services. Native
in the Control4 Certified hi-res WiFi-connected music streamers and speakers from Bluesound and
NAD Electronics’ Custom Install line, BluOS offers distributed audio solutions for every lifestyle, from
hi-fi enthusiasts to the digital music lover.

bluos.net
43
CUSTOMIZING YOUR PAD
(Your keypad, that is)

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE 9 IDEAS

THAT WILL GET YOUR CREATIVE
JUICES FLOWING!

1. START THE MUSIC!

Why pull out your phone and open an

app when a keypad can start your favorite
playlist in any room? Even better, a quick
double-tap on the same button can start
the music playing all over your house!

2. CHOOSE DIFFERENT PLAYLISTS

5. ENGAGE VACATION MODE
Different moods call for different music.
With some creative programming, you can There’s a lot to remember when leaving
switch between playlists with a colored for vacation, so let your “Vacation” button
light indicating what you’ve selected. do the work. It can set the temperature
appropriately, arm the alarm, and turn off
3. KEEP YOUR MEDIA LIBRARY FRESH all of the lights as you walk out the door.
When you return home, double-tap the
After adding new music or movies to same button to return the home to
your media library, the system needs to normal operation.
perform a scan to recognize this new
content before it is available. Why not 6. CHANGE VOLUME AND CHANNEL
have a “Scan Media” button execute a
library scan so you can watch that latest Rotary volume controls are so 20th
episode of Westworld immediately? century, but a keypad is sleek and modern
and can easily adjust your audio system’s
4. GARAGE DOOR STATUS CHECK volume. Or, it can just as easily be used to
change the channels on the tube!
Never again leave bed to check if you’ve
closed the garage. A light on your keypad 7. ADJUST THE TEMP
can illuminate green when the garage is
closed and red when it’s ajar. At a glance, Fussing with a thermostat can be tricky—
you’ll know the door’s status—and you especially if it is remotely located. Label a
can even close it with a simple button tap. couple of buttons on a keypad “Too Hot”
and “Too Cold” and guests and family
can easily adjust the temperature to the
perfect setting!

44
Sure, this multi-button keypad can control thousands of lighting devices,
but if you are using your keypad for only the lights, you’re missing out
on a slew of possibilities! Any button can be programmed to control
any aspect of your automated home.

8. START A TIMER

There are many times when a timer comes in

handy, and whether you’re cooking or putting
someone in “time out,” a keypad button can start
a timer while you stay with the task at hand. Easily
set pre-determined timers of, say, 1, 5, or 10 minutes
based on button presses with changing LED lights
indicating the length.

9. GOODNIGHT, HOUSE

No longer be forced to roam your house at night

turning things off like some character out of a
Greek tragedy. With a single button press, you
can instantly turn off all the lights, lock all the
doors, shut off all TVs and music, set the alarm,
lower window shades, adjust the HVAC, and start
rain sounds playing in your bedroom. That’s one
powerful button, Hercules!

PSSSSST! Did you know you can program many of these yourself using Control4’s
When >> Then homeowner personalization tool? Enjoy the ability to directly create
your own smart home reaction—all without a dealer’s help!*

*Homeowners who subscribe to the 4Sight service and are running an EA controller with Control4 OS 2.10
installed will have immediate access on customer.control4.com.
45
46
Jewel of the
Emerald Isle

PROJECT INSTALLATION: Velocity

PROJECT LOCATION: Limerick, Ireland

Billionaire race-
horse owner and
golf enthusiast
JP McManus
created the
perfect harmony
of history and
high-tech hotel
luxury at an
ancient Irish
manor just a
short hop from
the town where
he was born.

47
 O On the banks of the trout-rich
River Maigue, in the rural idyll of
County Limerick in Ireland, sits
Adare Manor—a breathtaking early
19th century neo-Gothic mansion
set within a sumptuous, 840-acre
parkland estate. Over the past three
years, it has been transformed into a
luxury tourist resort featuring 104 guest
rooms and suites, a world-class golf
course and clubhouse, spa, ballrooms,
bars, restaurants, and cinema.
Until the 1980s, Adare Manor
was a seat of Irish nobility, home to
successive Earls of Dunraven and
their forebears, the Quin family. The
property stands on the site of an
earlier, Georgian house (several walls
of which still survive) built in 1720
by the first earl’s grandfather. But
the estate goes back much further—
having been known as “the Manor of
Adare” since at least the early 13th
century, when, in 1226, King Henry III
gave permission for an annual fair to
be held on the site.
It was rebuilt in the mid-1800s
by the second Earl of Dunraven,
Windham Henry Quin, and his wife,
Lady Caroline. The chateau-like
manor house, with its neo-Gothic
towers and gargoyles, was designed
as what is known as a “calendar
house”—with 365 leaded windows, 52
ornate chimneys, seven stone pillars,
and four towers to represent the days,

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JACK HARDING PHOTOGRAPHY

weeks, and seasons of the year. In
the centuries since, it has been the
setting for balls, banquets, concerts,
the 1977 movie The Last Remake of
Beau Geste, and TV talent show The
X Factor.
The “calendar house” is complete
with 365 leaded windows, 52 ornate
chimneys, seven stone pillars, and four
towers to represent the days, weeks,
and seasons of the year.

48
49
 The estate was originally converted of transforming it into something
into a hotel and golf course in 1987 really special. The Irish Examiner
by Irish-American businessman reported that McManus even harbors
Thomas Kane, but when it came on hopes of hosting golf ’s Ryder Cup
All the interiors—including the market just over three years ago, tournament at the resort. “There is a
the great hall designed the once grand manor was in need lot of competition for it from Britain
of some TLC. Enter JP McManus, and the rest of Ireland. It’s tough
by celebrated architect billionaire businessman and Ireland’s competition, but I do believe we have
Augustus Pugin in 1846— most successful racehorse owner. the facilities and a venue that can cater
have been stripped McManus was born in Limerick for it,” he told the newspaper in 2017.
and was eager to invest in the local The past three years have
back and completely economy of an area so close to his witnessed a transformation that
refurbished. heart. A keen golfer (and friend of appears almost as magical as the
Tiger Woods), he had already hosted Emerald Isle itself. The old golf course
several pro-am golf tournaments was leveled and replaced with an 18-
on the estate, and in early 2015 he hole championship course designed
snapped up the property with a view by one of the world’s top golf course

50
designers, along with a new luxury
clubhouse and restaurant. This was a
gargantuan effort that involved bringing
in tens of thousands of tons of sand and
almost 700 construction workers.
The manor house and other
historical landmarks on the site have
been lovingly restored and protected,
including the complete removal,
repair, and replacement of the roof.
As a “listed” building (protected as
a heritage site), the original house refurbished. In addition, a whole new
could not be structurally altered, but wing has been added in keeping with
all the interiors—including the great the original style, more than doubling
hall designed by celebrated architect the number of guest rooms as well as
Augustus Pugin in 1846—have housing the new suites, ballrooms,
been stripped back and completely and cinema.

51
 For the interiors, McManus wanted
to recreate the homely but luxurious
feel of the original Manor House
while simultaneously including
all the high-tech features that
demanding guests paying top dollar
expect. So he called smart technology
specialist Velocity, who had already
kitted out his house in the Caribbean
and his home in Ireland 10 years
ago. Ben Taylor, Velocity co-director,
says: “He knew we also had extensive
experience installing smart tech into
hotel rooms, and he wanted Adare
Manor to be completely state of the art.”

The exquisite
property features
104 luxurious guest
rooms and suites.

52
 However, striking the right
balance between functionality and
ease of operation is trickier for hotels
than it is for houses. “You need to
understand the client base and
design a solution suitable for the
typical range of guests. The kind of
technology we’d put into an ultra-
modern city hotel with a clientele
of predominantly under-30 young
professionals, for example, and a
historical rural retreat like Adare
Manor, are very different,” says Taylor.
Velocity found the typical guest
of Adare Manor was wealthy and
over 40, but with varying levels of
experience with, and expectations
of, new technology—everyone from
tech-savvy golfing businessmen
to retired couples seeking an
escape from the tech-saturated and have the time to familiarize
trappings of modernity. That themselves with all it can do and how
meant the technology had to be to control it. But if people come to a
highly functional, but at the same hotel, they need to be able to use it
time completely unobtrusive and instantly and intuitively,” says Taylor. The technology had to be
extremely easy to use. Since everyone has their individual highly functional, but at
“When people are installing smart needs and preferences, the key was to
technology in their own homes, they give people various ways to control
the same time completely
can specify precisely what they want all the smart features on offer. unobtrusive and extremely
easy to use.
53
54
“It is estimated
the resort will
contribute in excess
of €15 million to
the local economy,
and we anticipate
welcoming over
60,000 visitors to
the manor every
year.”
Colm Hannon
chief executive

55
 The resort has around 350 staff, and Control4
technology is also helping them be more
“For example, we put a simple rocker
switch on the walls with a button to productive and attentive to the needs of
cycle through four or five different guests by automating all the lighting and
lighting scenes based on the time
of day or year, all pre-programmed
music across the hotel and golf club.
by professional lighting designers.
Everybody knows how to use a
switch, and the guest doesn’t see
any of the Control4 technology that
powers all the smart features—it just
becomes part of their experience,”
says Taylor. In the same way, they can
also shut the curtains automatically
using a bedside switch or press a
button for “do not disturb,” which
disables the room’s doorbell, informs
reception not to enter, and lights a
red LED outside the room.
Guests can also control room
features via an easy-to-use app,
specially created by Velocity, on a
Samsung Galaxy tablet placed in
their room. And for those not familiar
with touch screens and apps, all
the features can also be accessed
via the room’s smart, networked TV
(IPTV) via the remote control in the
same, familiar way they would flip
the channels. “They can use either
the app or the IPTV to, for example,
summon the maid, order a medium-
rare steak from room service, or
control room functions,” says Taylor.
A Control4 Pakedge network
ensures there’s excellent WiFi
coverage across the hotel and estate.
Guests can stream content from
their own mobile devices wirelessly
to the IPTV in their room, or, indeed,
vice-versa—stream what’s showing
on IPTV to their mobile device
and watch it elsewhere on the site,
perhaps while having a drink on the
terrace or a stroll round the gardens.
Alternatively, they might prefer to
book the cinema, where an individual
touch screen gives them full control
of the space so they can watch a
movie of their choice, some live horse

56
racing, or a golf championship.
Velocity also worked closely with
designer Kim Partridge, founder
of Kim Partridge Interiors, who
painstakingly created homely, elegant
rooms that draw inspiration from
both Adare Manor’s Georgian and
neo-Gothic pasts. Partridge told
Home Smart Home: “The whole ethos
was for guests to feel they’re entering
a home rather than a hotel—really
easy, comfortable living with a touch
of individuality and eclecticism.”
As part of this strategy, she put
together a collection of several
hundred 17th- to 19th-century
original artworks, which are on
display across most of the guest
rooms as well as in the public
spaces. “We’re also showcasing some
sculptures by contemporary Irish
artists like Peter Killeen, John Behan,
and Rachel Joynt,” she says. As with
the technology, this modern touch
perfectly complements and accents
Adare Manor’s more traditional
ambiance.
Technology doesn’t stop at the
guest rooms, however. The resort
has around 350 staff, and Control4
technology is also helping them be
more productive and attentive to
the needs of guests by automating
all the lighting and music across the
hotel and golf club. “For example,
as it begins to get dark, the lights
automatically transition discreetly
to an evening scene over the course
of a half-hour. Each area has been
programmed slightly differently to
give just the right ambience at the
right time, based on input from
professional lighting designers,” says
Velocity’s Taylor.

57
 Control4 Dealer, Velocity,
has offices in Ennis,
Ireland, and London,
United Kingdom, with
in-house teams of network
designers, software
development personnel,
and custom installation
specialists. They boast an
All the music playlists are also extensive international
presence delivering projects
controlled automatically and can
for hospitality, including
be sourced from either fixed media
45 Park Lane in London;
(like USB flash drives) or streaming Dorchester in London,
services (like Spotify). “And, of Rome, and Paris, with a
course, everything can be overridden location in Dubai underway;
manually, if needed,” says Taylor. Dromoland Castle, Ireland;
Tech is also set to help with hotel Metropolitan, London; and
management. “We are currently Grosvenor House Apart-
putting in a maintenance dashboard ments (GHA), London.
we’ve created to hook into all the
Control4 technology and allow hotel
managers to see usage data on all the
rooms and control them remotely—
heating, lighting, and so on,” says Taylor.
At the time of this writing, the
refurbished resort had only been fully
open for a week, but Taylor says early
guests have been effusive. “Everyone
so far has been very impressed and
we’ve also had great feedback from
the hotel managers and staff we’ve
spoken to,” he says.
And, as Adare Manor’s chief
executive Colm Hannon told the
media in 2017, the development is
set to give a welcome financial fillip
to the region. “It is estimated the
resort will contribute in excess of
€15 million to the local economy,
and we anticipate welcoming over
60,000 visitors to the manor every
year,” Hannon said, adding: “The
new facilities position this hotel and
golf course as one of the very best in
Europe and, indeed, the world.” ■

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59
OUT-OF-SIGHT Great sound no
longer comes at
the expense of
Sound aesthetics

John Sciacca

R
emember that old adage The key to getting full-range audio is of the wall. The end result is a completely
that children should be seen using speaker drivers large enough to undetectable speaker that fills the room
but never heard? Yeah, well move air in the room. In order to fit into a with audio.
speakers are exactly the standard 2”x4” wall cavity and still deliver Bottom line, filling your home with
opposite of that in most situations. And decent sound, most architectural speakers terrific sound without sacrificing
while many people would love to have feature 6.5-inch or larger speaker drivers. aesthetics is now easier than ever before
their homes filled with beautiful audio, However, these speakers have a fairly large and is something your designer or
some want to do so without having any footprint, typically requiring a grille with installer can help you to enjoy today! ■
hardware or speakers marring the look of a 9-inch (or larger) diameter. Even when
their home. If you haven’t been speaker painted to blend into your décor, this can
shopping for a while, or still equate good stand out, especially when placed next to
sound with monolithic black towers a modern, small, aperture-recessed LED
looming in the front of your room like light kit.
something out of Stonehenge, then read on. A terrific solution is something like
For years, the primary speaker design Triad’s new Designer Series speakers,
was a boxy cabinet that was finished in a which offer huge, room-filling sound in
wood veneer, usually black ash or walnut. a tiny package. These speakers conceal
Fortunately, speaker designers have multiple drivers inside a specially
focused on improving aesthetics as well designed enclosure that hides away
as sound quality in recent years, and now behind your wall, and then directs the
speakers are available in far more décor- full-range audio signal out of a single
friendly options. Some companies will 4-inch port, which is then covered with
custom-paint speakers in any color, even a round or square grille. The result is
offering color-matching services to ensure stunning audio that will leave your guests
the speaker looks perfectly at home in pondering, “Where is that wonderful
your home. music coming from?”
One of the biggest developments in Another excellent method for
speaker design is a category commonly concealing speakers is placing them
referred to as “architectural audio.” These behind fabric inside of columns or
are in-wall (typically rectangular) or cabinetry. Acoustically transparent cloth
in-ceiling (typically round) speakers that that won’t impact the sound is available
install flush. When installed to line up in dozens of colors, allowing your
with existing recessed lighting found in speakers to truly disappear into the
most homes, these speakers blend into room’s design and letting you enjoy
the flow of the ceiling. A recent design virtually any speaker.
improvement many manufacturers For a truly invisible speaker installation,
have adopted is using micro-thin bezels, some manufacturers offer speaker designs
which give the speakers a very clean, you literally cannot see. These specially
minimalistic, and finished look. Get designed speakers install inside the
the grilles painted to match your wall wall but are then completely covered
or ceiling color and the speakers will over with plaster or drywall mud, then
practically disappear! painted or wallpapered to match the rest

60
Triad Designer
Series speakers
hide neatly in a
ceiling and project
full, rich sound
from a four-inch,
flush-mounted,
serviceable grill.

61
10 tedious tasks…

Jordan Wills, Cloud9 Smart

now handled by voice

COMPLETE THESE 10 COMMON SMARTPHONE TASKS IN

ALMOST HALF THE TIME SIMPLY BY ADDING “HEY SIRI”
AND “OK GOOGLE” INTO YOUR REPERTOIRE.

1. Write messages
Apple and Android phones can transcribe
spoken messages in any app you request
(just give your voice control the right
6. Check the weather
It’s a simple request most of us make daily.
Instead of launching an app and focusing
your attention once again on a glowing
Voice recognition permissions). Have Siri or Google Assistant screen, why not just ask Siri or Google?
draft that text or LinkedIn message, and you
was pretty can make edits before sending. 7. Set alarms and timers
unreliable when 2. Make phone calls
There really is no need to manually set an
alarm anymore. For pulling dinner out of the
it first came to Your smartphone’s voice recognition oven or pulling yourself out of bed, setting
the smartphone understands context now and can handle alarms and timers via voice is as effortless
market. Now every more intuitive requests like “Call my wife at as it gets.
the office.”
smartphone has it, 8. Get directions
3. Read your messages
and if your initial Why spend that extra 30 seconds setting
Don’t want to take your eyes off the task at up navigation when you could just ask your
disappointment hand? When you hear a text message come phone “How do I get home?” Both Apple and
of voice control in, ask your phone to read it to you. Android are great at offering multiple routes
for public transportation, as well.
turned you off, 4. Manage your calendar
now is the time In addition to briefing you on your schedule 9. Calculate

to revisit it. for the day, your Google or Apple voice Conversions and math problems are easily
assistant can send calendar invites or shuffle handled by Siri or your Google Assistant.
events around at your request. No need to launch a calculator.

5. Set reminders 10. Take a picture

Voice control is ideal for managing those Often, capturing the moment comes at the
elusive fly-by thoughts. If you’re afraid you cost of missing it yourself. As long as your
won’t remember to stop by the hardware voice assistant has permissions to your
store on the way home, just ask your phone camera app, asking your phone to take a
to remind you at a certain time. picture will quickly launch your camera app,
count down from three, and snap. (Your
phone will oblige selfie requests, too.)

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NOW STREAMING
ALL YOUR FAVORITES

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