Fully Automated Penthouse Exceeds Minimalist’s Expectations With Covert Technology Powered by ELAN

Designing a fully automated home for a minimalist can be a challenge. When a New Jersey homeowner began renovating his Edgewater penthouse, he dreamed of an easy-to-use automation system that was free of cluttered switches and unsightly wires to fit seamlessly into his picturesque residence. After little deliberation, he turned to Union City-based integration firm Serious Audio Video to install a completely invisible automation system into the penthouse powered by the user-friendly ELAN Entertainment and Control platform. This smart home automation system subtly manages several components of the penthouse, including lighting, HVAC, audio, video, security, cameras, fireplace and even the piano.

“The owner likes to build and has had other automation systems in former homes,” Serious Audio Video Operations Manager Rick Truocchio explained. “However, he never used the systems because they weren’t user-friendly or reliable. When we met through mutual friends, he began explaining his penthouse renovation and desire to have an automation system just to up the resale value. Although he liked technology, he hated seeing it all over his other homes.”

Honoring the owner’s minimalistic style, in-wall ELAN touch panels were incorporated into each room of the penthouse, eliminating excess wall clutter. Everything from the light switches to the thermostats were hidden in convenient touch panel controls, with pre-programmed scene settings to turn everything on or off with one tap. “When the owner comes home, he uses a pre-set button to turn on the Lutron lighting, raise the motorized window shades, and start playing his music,” Truocchio added.

For music, the ELAN system controles iTunes, Spotify and Pandora. The owner can listen to his favorite tunes through the 16 speakers and subwoofers hidden throughout the home. With multiple zones of audio connected through an ELAN M86A multi-room audio controller, music can be played everywhere; through the custom-made chrome-plated speakers in the steam shower ceiling and even through the Bösendorfer piano, which was specially integrated in the ELAN system so the music library can be played back by the piano itself.   

Outfitted with one-of-a-kind Giorgio Armani furniture and custom mahogany, the penthouse is sleek and stunning. “Aesthetics and functionality were two of the main requests from the homeowner,” Truocchio stated. “He insisted on not seeing any technology, but having the latest and greatest of everything.” 

Through the ELAN platform, the Serious Audio Video team found a way to do it all. Concealed behind a 75-inch mirror, a secret 65-inch Seura TV hangs above the fireplace. Utilizing a Future Automation articulating wall mount, the angle of the mirror TV can be adjusted with the push of a button. With different settings, the state-of-the-art TV can be easily seen from the kitchen or dining room, and then effortlessly hidden when not in use. Additionally, there are no computer monitors in the owner’s home office. With just a few clicks on an Apple Wireless Keyboard, the Samsung 55-inch HDTV changes displays and turns into a computer monitor ready for use. 

When it comes to smart home automation, many people are turned off by the complex, finicky nature of some systems. “After the customized construction process took over two years, the owner was concerned that the technology would be another big problem,” Truocchio continued. “Luckily, the integration and installation was the smoothest part of the entire process, which made him very happy.” 

The lavish penthouse looks extremely refined and minimalistic, but is stacked with sophisticated technology. The owner was so happy with the outcome of the penthouse, he hired Serious Audio Video to install an ELAN Entertainment and Control system into his office as well.

To download additional high-res photography, click here. All photography is courtesy of Anthony Torsiello and Serious Audio Video. ​

As Real As It Gets: Digital Installation Brings Madame Tussauds Experience to Life at 'The Crossroads of the World'

A giant new LED screen in New York City will give the tens of millions of annual visitors to Times Square - ’the crossroads of the world’ - the chance to see inside Madame Tussauds. 

The attention-grabbing 13 ft. by 12 ft. LED screen, which was installed on June 19th, is visible from 42nd Street. It is already proving to be a big hit with visitors to Times Square to enjoy a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the Madame Tussauds experience.

The project brief from Madame Tussauds (part of Merlin Entertainments Group) to Banner Managed Communication (BMC), its global marketing and communications agency, was to increase the attraction’s cut-through and audience share within the intensively competitive New York tourist scene. BMC brought in its digital experience design partner, OpenEye Global, a world leader in conceiving and delivering innovative visual technology projects, to create the experience from the eyes of the visitor. OpenEye also enlisted Scala and NanoLumens for content management and display installation, forming a solid team of expertise.

The Madame Tussauds and OpenEye teams developed a content strategy highlighting the brushes with fame (and infamy!) that could only happen inside Madame Tussauds. Using actors and a green screen to film reactions to their encounters with Madame Tussauds’ stars, crowds outside could get a real taste of the fun that awaits them inside.

Davey Barrett, Head of Product Development, Midway Attractions, North America at Merlin Entertainments plc said:

"BMC and OpenEye have helped us find a truly innovative way of communicating and visualizing the experience of visiting Madame Tussauds to a vast, untapped audience. We’re undoubtedly achieving our primary objective of grabbing the attention of many more visitors to Times Square. The 4.5MM digital display from NanoLumens delivers impeccable clarity and brightness essential in creating an invigorating experience.”

Catherine Burke, Managing Director of Banner Managed Communication, said:

“Creative thinking and leading-edge technology have combined here to inject new life and contemporary relevance into an attraction with a heritage stretching back almost 250 years.

The project is a perfect example of why we've partnered with OpenEye. They provide precisely the blend of digital innovation and execution expertise which BMC clients are looking for.”

Bryan Meszaros, CEO, OpenEye commented:

“It was clear to us that many people’s perception of Madame Tussauds lags way behind the modern-day reality. So our focus was on creating content and using technology to visualize and bring to life the Madame Tussauds experience, emphasizing what an incredibly dynamic and interactive attraction it is for visitors.”

Dina Townsend, Vice President of Retail, Scala commented:

"The Madam Tussaud's deployment is an excellent example of collaborative, best in class, digital engagement that seamlessly integrates technologies, form factors, platforms and strategic vision.

From the Scala perspective, our content management platform was leveraged to deliver digital signage as well as the #MTSelfie social media experience. Using the Scala platform as a true customer experience engine allowed Madam Tussaud's to integrate a variety of digital experiences all engaging the consumer across channels in new and unexpected ways, but all managed from a single and extensible console to provide the best possible outcomes in a most efficient delivery model." Dina Townsend, VP of Retail at Scala.

Burt Smith, Executive Vice President of NanoLumens commented:

“New York's Times Square is arguably the busiest intersection in the world," emphasized NanoLumens Executive Vice President of Business Development Burt Smith.  "Thousands of retailers, hotels, theaters, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions compete for the attention —and the business— of the millions of consumers who flock to this intersection every year.  Creating an engaging visualization solution that can work with the design limitations of any existing space in New York City is not an easy task for most solutions providers — except NanoLumens.  Our unique ability to listen to the Madame Tussaud team and design a solution in the shape, size, and curvature that works for them is what won the day.  We are very proud to have been a part of this very exciting project."

Core Brands Selected to Provide Control, Audio and Connectivity Solutions for LEED Registered Sunset Green Home Building Project

Underscoring the increasingly important role its brands are playing in the construction of smart home building projects, Core Brands today announced that it has been designated the exclusive provider of control, audio, and connectivity solutions for a new LEED registered home currently under construction in East Quogue, New York within the Town of Southampton, New York. 

According to Core Brands Director of Business Development Joe Lautner, Core Brands will provide ELAN®, Panamax®, SpeakerCraft®, Sunfire® and Xantech solutions to the home, which will showcase state-of-the-art sustainability when the project is completed this summer. 

“More and more, Core Brands solutions are being selected by smart home designers and builders who are looking to create living environments with the smartest, eco-friendly control and functionality,” Lautner explained. “The award-winning ELAN Control System continues to set the bar for smart home control that is intuitive, flexible and easily scalable for future upgrades. SpeakerCraft and Sunfire offer the very best in multi-room audio and home theater audio performance, and nothing comes close to Panamax protecting advanced electronics and Xantech in delivering robust, reliable connectivity.  We are proud to be associated with this LEED-registered home project.”

Sunset Green Home is a sustainable, energy-efficient new home construction project registered through the LEED® for Homes Green Building Program with the certification goal of LEED platinum.  The LEED certification program is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of green buildings.  

The project team members combine expertise from multiple disciplines, including technology solutions providers, architecture, landscape architecture, custom home building, energy modeling, sustainability consulting, and LEED program administration.  “This multidisciplinary team structure is critical to successful integrated project delivery, which is a cornerstone of the LEED for Homes green building program,” Erle stressed.  “We are proud to have Core Brands become part of our team.”

According to Kim Erle, LEED AP Homes, the decision to build a sustainable LEED certified home was made after the original 1940’s era beach cottage was damaged first by Hurricane Irene and then, devastatingly, by Hurricane Sandy.  “When we decided to rebuild this home after Hurricane Sandy we wanted to build a new home that would stand as a model for green residential building in a region where homeowners are increasingly calling for environmentally friendly, healthy and energy-efficient homes,” Erle said today.  “We wanted to align ourselves with partners that share the same commitment.  Core Brands absolutely shares our vision and our commitment to be an environmentally responsible member of the community and we are proud to select them as our control, audio and connectivity solutions provider.”

The 3,600 square foot home now under construction incorporates sustainable products, materials, and technology into every part of the home and it includes solutions from, among others, AdvanTech Flooring, Anbrook Shingles, ATAS Aluminum Roofing, Hydrazzo Swimming Pools, Axor and Hansgrohe Fixtures, Beam Alliance Central Vacuums, Boral Tru Exterior Trim, Bosch Refrigerators and Dishwashers, CertainTeed Gypsum, CoverStar, Daltile Tile and Stone Products, DEL Ozone Chlorine, DuraVent Chimney Pipes, Duravit Bathroom Furniture and Ceramics, Eldorado Stone, EmPower Solar, Franke Kitchen Systems, Grace Ice and Water Shields, Hafele Products, Huber Engineered Woods, Integrity Windows and Doors from Marvin, Liberty Cedar, Mitsubishi Cooling and Heating, Nantucket Beadboard, New Castle Building Products, Simpson Strong-Tie, Tech Lighting, Thermador, TruStile Doors, Uponor, VentGrid, Walk Green Wood Products, Zehnder America, Zip Systems Sheathing and Tape, and Zodiac.

The Sunset Green Home is scheduled to be open to the public in late Summer 2015. 

Integrator Combines ELAN g! with Brand New Display Technology to Help Hoboken's Hottest New Nightclub Compete with NYC's Best

Hoboken, New Jersey is the newest unofficial borough of New York City, drawing Manhattan workers to its upscale downtown neighborhood full of trendy restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The owners of Hoboken’s newest nightclub, Reign, knew they needed to crate a unique experience to stand out among the area’s stiff competition. This meant designing an immense AV system using an ELAN g! system for control, Sound Tube Pendant speakers and subwoofers for put-it-anywhere audio and the first North American installation of a new 10-foot by 20-foot PrimeView Smart Film double-sided glass projection surface. 

Integration firm Serious Audio Video knew that their bid would likely be the highest, at nearly $350,000, well above the $200,000 budget requested by the owners, but they also knew that no one else would match their vision and unique style for the club’s AV systems. The core of the lounge’s AV installation is a powerful ELAN g! system that automates the lighting, audio and video, giving the owners fast and easy control of the entire establishment from their smartphones. With more than 90 speakers and subwoofers producing 30,000 watts and a plethora of specialized lighting, tying everything together into a single easy-to-use interface was a crucial factor in the success of this installation.

“The ELAN g! platform allows us to focus on our clients’ needs and without worrying about overwhelming them with complicated interfaces,” said Casey S. Johnston, owner of integration firm Serious Audio Video. “It’s simple to use and can be run entirely from a smartphone or tablet if they choose, so they never have to leave the club floor to make adjustments to volume, lighting intensity or video content. It also gives them the easiest start-up and shut-down procedure for the club’s systems, since they can use a single “Open” or “Close” button that we programmed to turn entire systems on or off.”

According to Johnston, an installation of this caliber also requires special design. In this case, the integration firm created a unique vortex chandelier of Sound Tube pendant speakers that hang just out of guests’ reach on the second floor, and right above guests head on the first floor in an open overhang. “This specialized design took a lot of tinkering to perfect the installation, but the finished product is more than a simple AV system. An eye-catching arrangement of premium quality speakers and subwoofers reflects the lounge’s chic and trendy atmosphere, and when combined with the amazing PrimeView Smart Film projection display it projects an air of exclusivity that guests can’t find anywhere else in Hoboken or Manhattan.” 

In fact, this was the very first installation of the see-through PrimeView Smart Film display in North America. It is so new that the instructions were only available in Cantonese, so they flew in one of PrimeView’s technicians from Hong Kong to help with the installation. The resulting screen sits just above the speaker chandelier on the third floor and can play any manner of digital video effects. With the ability to change the appearance of the glass from clear to frosted with the push of a button, the possibilities are nearly limitless and certainly push the club’s atmosphere to new heights.

“Night club installations regularly involve millions of dollars of equipment and this was our first night club project,” Johnston said. “We hit it out of the park so we are hoping to grow that aspect of our business and bring other owners the same level of functionality and unique design in the future.”