General Contractor: Roy Lopez of Residencia LLC
Owner: Barry Venison

Project Scope: lighting system design, branch circuitry design, network and data cable wiring, advanced wireless network design, installation and encryption of home security system, HVAC integration, fireplace and shade automation, A/V design, selection and installation of home electronic products, programming and user interfaces.

400 S. The Strand - As featured in Dream Homes International, October issue 2008

Lighting Design
Challenge: To uniformly light the dark areas of each unit within the complex without overloading the ceiling with a large number of fixtures. Additional challenges included fire and safety considerations required of all Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs). The operation cost of running the lighting system overtime was also factored in when finding suitable fixtures.

Solution: MT216, MT316 W.A.C. Electronic Low Voltage (ELV) Gimbled lighting fixtures.
The multispot W.A.C. lighting includes a 24V integral transformer capable of detecting arc faulting as well as a thermal protector built in to the transformer. If the wiring is compromised by the corrosive saltwater environment, or any of the lamps over heat, the light will automatically turn off. Each lighting fixture was selected for their characteristically low startup power requirements. Most other lighting fixtures similarly offer superior energy savings over standard incandescent bulbs without giving off the kind of bright white light most people associate with fluorescent office lighting. Aesthetically the W.A.C. lighting blended seamlessly within the decorative motif of each of the luxury units.

Lighting Control
Challenge: To offer attractive light switching for basic on/off and dimming functions without adding multiple switches or "wall pollution" to perform each function. In most units, over 40 lighting loads were required to have some dimming function. The builder also wanted to provide the home owner with both preset and programmable lighting scenes. Cost was also a key factor.

Solution: Crestron PAC2M, Crestron CAEN 7x1 lighting enclosure, Crestron CLT/CLX-DELV4, Crestron CLT/CLX-DIMM8 lighting control and dimming modules.
All of the lights in each of the condos are controlled using the Crestron PAC2M centralized lighting control system. The centralized lighting system offers exceptional lighting control functionality at the press of a single button. As an added bonus, the Crestron Lighting system is able to control window shades from the same keypad from which the lighting scenes are controlled. Each stylish keypad compliments the interior design motif of each unit. In addition to dimming lighting loads, timing and occupancy sensor features were incorporated to ensure lights in unoccupied rooms turn themselves off. The Crestron lighting system features a security setting which learns the home owner's usage over a period of two weeks and replays that usage while the home owners are away on vacation. In case of emergencies, path lighting turns on directing the home owner safely toward the exit. Automation of the lighting in the system also saves the home owner up to 20% off of their energy bill in comparison with conventional light switches.

Unlike other lighting systems, the Crestron keypads and touch panels offer a variety of ways for the home owner to easily interact with the system. Custom engraving on each keypad spells out the functionality the home owner and guests can expect by pressing any button. Custom graphics developed for the project allow the home owner to work within the Crestron environment in ways that are intuitive to them.

Distributed Audio/Video
Challenge: To offer five zones of distributed audio throughout each of the units and a quality home theater experience; To mount speakers in a way that will provide the best sound quality, while also accounting for all of the possible furniture configurations. Each Unit must be able to accommodate four televisions in up to 6 different television locations. The system must be able to distribute cable/security camera feeds/and blu-ray quality movies independently to each television location. Although a large amount of audio/video distribution equipment must be used, the square footage of each unit should be maximized to store all audio/video/media equipment in one centralized location.

Solution - Speakers: A variety of packages were developed for the home owner to suit the home owner's needs. To accommodate casual users, a variety of gimbled or adjustable speakers such as the Sonance VP67-series speakers were packaged to deliver high-quality audio. The pivoting drivers of the speakers are able to direct the sound at listeners in order to accommodate a variety of furniture configurations. Acoustic enclosures, retrofit backboxes, and fire-rated backcans reduce sound seepage into adjacent units while also complying with fire code.

Solution - Distributed Audio: Five zones of distributed audio were wired throughout the house along with a 5.1 surround sound system. Each home is equipped with a Crestron Adagio AMS. The Crestron AMS provides a powerful all-in-one solution to handle a variety of audio sources for distribution throughout the home.