Eco High Fidelity Installs ELAN Entertainment and Control System in Maui, Creating 21st Century Sustainable Smart Home
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Sustainable technology has become a common topic among homeowners wanting to minimize environmental impact without decreasing functionality. When Dattilo Design Group, a Maui-based builder and design company, began rebuilding a Wailea home after a fire, the team was initially hesitant about incorporating smart home technology into the project because their prior experience with ‘smart home’ systems was not a good one. After doing a little research, the group turned to integration firm Eco High Fidelity to install sustainable audio and custom-shading solutions powered by an ELAN Entertainment and Control System.
“When I received the call about the Wailea project in Maui, I jumped at the chance,” Owner of Eco High Fidelity Tommy Kissell said. “Dattilo Design Group’s visions require a higher standard than normal designers. Like all of our projects, we relied on the concepts and methods of sustainability. To ensure the best results, we assembled a diverse group of specialists to create a spectacular state-of-the-art system that would make the Jetson family jealous.”
Due to the home’s open floor plan, flames and smoke from the fire caused damage throughout, including the electronics and shading solutions. However, even before the fire, the owners were frustrated with the technology previously installed. The A/V elements and home automation system were unreliable and prone to service calls. “It’s the same story we have all heard,” Kissell added. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on a complicated system that ended up requiring constant maintenance.”
To counteract the owner’s struggle with electronics, Eco High Fidelity centered the new A/V system around a simple and reliable ELAN control system. “This ensures that the whole-home automation system functions perfectly and remains fun to use,” Kissell continued.
Allowing the owners to enjoy whole-home audio, an ELAN S1616A multi-zone audio controller was integrated into the ELAN control system. Through the ELAN system, the homeowner can listen to a 250,000-song music library and popular streaming services, including Spotify, Pandora, Maui Native 92.5 and Sirius XM, anywhere in the home.
“Another one of the main highlights of this house is the unique shading solution,” Kissell explained. “To ensure comfort and protect the owner’s art and custom furniture, specialized shading solutions provide daylight harvesting and blackout environments. Additionally, the house has a 35-foot-wide ceiling window over the entryway and foyer, so we had to develop a sun-shield for that area.”
Working closely with Eco High Fidelity’s partners, the team was able to develop customized Roman, Sheers and Ceiling shades, operated through a Lutron system. Fully linked through the ELAN controls, the owner’s can raise or lower any of the shades with the touch of a button.
To operate the entire ELAN system, three 7-inch, in-wall touch panels were integrated around the home. For more portable options, the owners can use several global hard-button remotes or the ELAN App on an Apple iPad. Furthermore, ELAN provides remote access to the automation system, so the designer, homeowner or integrator can access the controls from any web-enabled device.
“Hawaii is becoming a bridge between sustainability and technology,” Kissell concluded. “Overtime, technology will provide sustainable solutions to maintain the integrity of the islands, while still providing the state-of-the-art features the natives desire.”
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