Homeowner Replaces Inoperable Model Home Automation System with ELAN to Simplify Living Experience

Model homes often come decked out with top-of-the-line finishes, an ideal layout and the latest home appliances. However, when the Kurland family purchased their model townhome near Richmond, Virginia, it came with something unexpected – a home automation system that was essentially unusable. After a year of living with the system, the family turned to local integration firm Connec Inc. to install an upgraded ELAN Entertainment and Control System. 

“We actually installed the original system in the model home six years before the Kurlands purchased the brownstone, but it had been altered in a makeshift manner making it a disappointment,” Connec President Edward Wood explained. “After the Kurlands moved into the home, they were interested in getting the system operable. I explained how the old system was supposed to operate, then presented all of the features and benefits of an ELAN smart home experience.”

The Kurlands jumped at the idea of installing a truly smart home control system built around the ELAN platform, and were excited to connect it to all of the sub-systems in their home. Throughout the four-floor townhouse, Connec integrated multi-room audio, security system, security cameras, door locks, thermostats and advanced LED lighting systems into an ELAN gSC10 system controller. 

“We contacted Edward and his team at Connec because my wife and I greatly needed to address our security system needs, and wanted to make use of the entertainment equipment,” homeowner Alex Kurland explained. “Edward clarified what had happened with the once-model-home’s system, and asked us a lot of questions regarding our possible uses of the system and needs for the home. Then, we basically set him loose to let him work and create a system suited for my family’s lifestyle.” 

Since the Kurlands enjoy travelling, Connec installed advanced security features to ensure the home was always protected. Utilizing Lutron RadioRA2 lighting and the ELAN capabilities, Connec programmed in the ability to have four lighting configurations enabling the homeowners to turn on and off lights on an easily variable schedule through the ELAN system thereby creating the illusion that the homeowners were inside, whether they were home or away. To operate the lighting system, 10 dimmers and switchers were installed throughout the home. “This lighting system also comes in handy when the family and guests are trying to maneuver down four flights of stairs at night,” Wood added.

To further ensure safety and protection against unwanted visitors, Connec integrated window sensors and a Yale touchscreen door lock into ELAN, allowing the Kurlands to monitor their home whether they are upstairs or travelling. In addition, a 15-zone Interlogix Concord 4 Security Panel and Panasonic IP security cameras were also integrated into ELAN for added piece of mind. 

“Edward is very creative and his crew is extremely capable,” Kurland continued. “They really understood our security needs and went above and beyond to provide our home adequate protection. They also provided us with simple ‘home’ and ‘away’ buttons on the ELAN home screen and mobile apps, which provide flexibility for our security system to accommodate both planned visitors and pets with the push of a button.”

The Kurland’s integrated ELAN automation system doesn’t stop with high-end security; Connec also installed an in-depth entertainment system that allows the family to easily operate their favorite electronics and easily make use of a variety entertainment options. 

“An ELAN S86A audio controller connected to two Marantz Surround Sound Receivers provides six zones of audio,” Wood explained. “Additionally, an S1 Digital three zone streamer provides the family with local radio stations, Pandora, Sirius/XM and CD storage. To personalize the system even more, portions of the family’s photos are stored in the system, so they can be shown from any of the ELAN TP7 seven-inch in-wall touchpanels.”

Operating the Kurland’s system is easy through the ELAN in-wall touch panels, ELAN remotes or the ELAN App on the family’s iPhones, iPads or MacBook Pros. “In our previous home, we had great TVs along with a surround sound system which we rarely used because we had to open cabinets and press a series of buttons to turn each on,” Kurland added. “Now, through the ELAN system, one-touch on my iPad or phone and everything is up-and-running. It makes it very simple. It’s a very attractive and user friendly system.” 

Wood concluded, “The Kurlands are the one of the best customers I’ve worked with. They’ve been very happy with the system and have provided me with great feedback. They are the kind of customer that make you feel like this is a great business to be in because they fully utilize and appreciate the customized ELAN system we built for their home.” 

To view additional images, click here. Connec is a Platinum Elite ELAN dealer.

High-End Housing Community Creates Ultimate Living Experience With Upscale Amenities Powered by ELAN

Luxury housing communities throughout the nation are making a concerted effort to up their amenity game, and in Little Rock, Arkansas, the goal is no different. Professional management company Richardson Properties crafted the ultra-lux Pointe Brodie Creek housing complex on 40-acres, and connected more than 25 services through one ELAN Entertainment and Control System. 

Nestled among the serene outdoors, The Pointe Brodie Creek offers the best of luxury living in Little Rock. “We traveled to several Class-A multifamily communities in Texas to get ideas for this luxury property,” Steve Tracy, Vice President of Real Estate at Richardson Properties explained. “The goal was to craft a community with amazing amenities that weren’t available at other properties in the area.” The community boasts an array of services and facilities including a 78-seat theater, virtual fitness room, poker lounge and climate controlled wine lockers, 24/7 Precor fitness center, late night concierge, Las Vegas-style pool, and much more. 

After developing the overall design, Richardson Properties sought expert advice from Jonesboro-based design and integration firm, Sound Concepts. “In terms of square-footage, this is one of the largest jobs we’ve completed to date,” Sound Concepts Owner Ryan Heringer stated. “We showed Keith Richardson and Steve Tracy a variety of automation systems in our showroom, and they ultimately selected ELAN for the job.” 

According to Tracy, the main factor in choosing the ELAN system was its usability. “We needed a system that was user-friendly and easy to operate, and the ELAN system has definitely exceeded our expectations.”

The Pointe Brodie Creek has become its own community within Little Rock. Residence can enjoy Thirsty Thursdays, Wine Club meetings, and other special events in the main Club House weekly. However, with most amenities available to residents until 10PM, Richardson Properties needed a way close down the facilities after hours. “Most of the systems are on a schedule,” Tracy explained. “Our irrigation system, pool pumps, music, TVs, fountains, and fireplaces are all scheduled to turn on and off at certain hours with ELAN.”

With more than 500 multi-family units situated around the Club House, residents can enjoy a variety of amenities right outside of their door. Among them is a fully loaded 78-seat movie theater situated on the entire third floor of the main building. Built with state-of-the-art acoustics, the room comes equipped with a Draper 16:9 screen, Epson projector recessed in the back wall, and an ELAN System Controller to keep everything running smoothly. What’s more, the theater is completely operated by the ELAN g! App from an iPad built into the wall.

Throughout the rest of the Club House, The Point Brodie Creek residence are entertained by more than 10 Samsung 3D Smart LED TVs ranging from 46” to 55”. An 80” SHARP 3D Smart LED TV is also available in the communal Conference Room, which is utilized by not only residence but Little Rock-based organizations as well.

For audio, an ELAN S1616A Mulit-Room Audio Controller is used to operate more than 30 zones throughout the facility. The three-story building can receive audio inputs from up to 16 sources, creating full-bodied sound through 78 in-ceiling speakers. The MRA system allows The Pointe Brodie Creek’s Community Manager, Shelley Ellis, to create the perfect atmosphere in each room, so residence using the Library won’t be subjected to the same music as those attending “Thirsty Thursday” down the hall. Furthermore, custom Lutron LED Lighting systems were installed throughout the Club House, making the ambiance of each room unique to its purpose. Through the ELAN g! App, Ellis can not only turn the lights on and off, but also change the colors of the lights to set the exact mood desired for a sports game or other special event.

“The ELAN system is basically a time saving device,” Ellis explained. “Running around the property to turn everything on and off manually would take hours. With ELAN, I am able to operate and monitor everything straight from my phone which makes my job a lot easier.” 

The A/V doesn’t stop with the Club House. “We installed just as much audio and video equipment outside than we did inside,” Heringer added. “The green space is filled with speakers and 40 Wirepath™ surveillance cameras to keep residence not only entertained, but also make them feel safe.”

Twenty landscape speakers line the entire outdoor area, so residence can enjoy music at the Pet Park, Playground, Volleyball Court, Putting Green, Garden, or while barbecuing with friends by the Las Vegas-style pool. Surrounding the pool, residence can receive a resort-like experience with cabanas, fire pits, and an additional 30 outdoor speakers hidden in the greenery. Residence can also be entertained from every angle in the lush pool house. The inside bar boasts a Samsung 80” Smart 3D LED TV, while the outside bar comes equipped with a 55” 3D LED TV and the patio hosts a 65” Smart LED TV. Best of all, the entire outdoor A/V system is connected to an ELAN HC4 systems manager, allowing The Pointe Brodie Creek’s operations team to keep everything running smoothly without second thought.

“We recently broke ground on a similar facility right across the street,” Tracy concluded. “We’re working through the details now, but with the success of The Pointe Brodie Creek, we know it will be another fully automated community.” 

To download additional hi-res images, click here. All photography is courtesy of Jennifer Barakat.