Vegas Penthouse Houses Instant Entertainment

Jun 19, 2006 8:00 AM

The following information is courtesy of the 2005 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Designers' Choice Awards. For more information on how to become a member of CEDIA, or information on its awards program please visit www.cedia.org or call (800) 669-5329.

2005 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Winner
Designers Choice Awards: Best Intergrated Home
Level III ($225,001-$300,000)

Genesis Audio & Video

An entrepreneur and casino owner, the client wanted his penthouse to be the ultimate expression of the Las Vegas lifestyle. He aimed to create a penthouse that felt like a nightclub and could be completely controlled without ever leaving the comfort of his couch. After a long day at work, he wanted to be able to come home and play, thus naming the project, "The Player's Penthouse."

Despite a relatively strict budget, everything had to be completely automated, including an enormous 15ft. motorized wall. When closed, the retractable wall, which serves as the only entrance into the master bedroom, separates the lounge area from the bedroom. When open, it creates a large party lounge, perfect for entertaining.

To easily bring the party home, Genesis Audio & Video programmed the stereo system, plasma screens, and lights to come alive with the push of the client's left thumbprint on a single Crestron touchpanel. With his right thumbprint, the client can unlock doors and turn on lights.

The client's entire home is completely integrated into one system using Crestron and Lutron technology, giving him control over lighting, all eight plasma screens, audio systems, curtains, HVAC temperature control, locks, and his DVD and music libraries with one remote. Access to all video sources is available on every plasma screen in the house, including access to Escient DVD management and DirectTV Tivo. AudioReQuest music management is also available through the entire home, making it easier to entertain special guests in classic Vegas fashion.

The placement of the subwoofer was a challenge since there was no feasible place for it in the lounge area. To address this problem, Genesis created a custom-built enclosure that surrounded a structural I-beam of the building. The subwoofer column was then programmed to be active for both the surround sound system and the music system. The speakers were re-veneered to match the wood grain of the penthouse.

The touchpanel, along with five additional access points, makes controlling the home's electronics easy and accessible. In addition to the extensive electronic integration, every piece of equipment, like the subwoofer, was custom-finished to integrate aesthetically with the penthouse, completing the "Player's Penthouse" look.

Equipment list

8 Sonance Sym 623TR in-ceiling Speakers

8 Sonance Sym TR metal back boxes

3 Linn Sizmik 10.25 subwoofers

3 Marantz SR7300 surround sound receivers

6 PMC DB1 bookshelf speakers

2 Revel F30 floor-standing speakers

1 Bryston 3B 2x125W amplifer

5 Runco CW-42 42in. plasma TVs

6 Peerless articulating arm brackets

1 Inca Fold Down and Extend plamsa lift

2 Sonance Sym 622T in-ceiling speakers

2 Sonance Sym T metal back boxes

3 Sonance Cinema .5 left, center, and right in-wall speakers

2 Sonance Cinema .5 surround in-wall speakers

5 Sonance Cinema metal black boxes

1 Pioneer Elite Pro 1000HD 50in. plasma TV

1 Pioneer Elite DV-36C DVD player

4 Sony SAT-T60 DirecTV Tivo

4 Sony SAT-T65 DirecTV receivers

3 Triad Triad in-wall bronze/4 LCR in-wall speakers

3 Audiobahn Alum custom subwoofers

1 Sonance P800D subwoofer

1 Sharp LC-13B2UA LCD TV

6 Omnimount 30.0 speaker mounts

4 Sonance Mariner Jr. 20 outdoor speakers

1 Channel Vision 6006 color mini-camera

1 APC UPS 250 battery back-up

1 AudioReQuest ARQ2-Pro hard-drive music server

1 Autopatch 1209635 S-Video switcher

4 Elan Z661 six-channel amplifiers

2 Elan ZFAN

1 Escient Power Play DVD system

1 Marantz ST6000 AM/FM tuner

2 Middle Atlantic equipment racks

2 Panamax Max 5100 surge protectors

1 Crestron TPS-2000L wall-mount touchpanel

3 Crestron STX-1700C color touchpanel remote controls

3 Crestron STRFGWX two-way RF gateways

1 Crestron CNHBLOCK termination block

1 Crestron CNMSX Pro 2 processor

1 Crestron CNPWS-75 external power supply

2 Crestron CNX-PAD8 eight-source stereo distribution processor

3 Statnet PCC-300SR thermostats

3 Statnet PCC-SUB communicating base

1 Statnet Proverter RS-485 to RS-232 converter

1 AudioQuest custom wire package

1 Tributaries custom wire package

1 LG Electronics RU42PZ90 42in. plasma TV

1 Crestron MT-500C color touchscreen remote control

1 Crestron CNRFGWA-418 RF gateway

1 Lutron GRX-FDBI-16A-120 flourescent interface

1 Lutron HWI GEN1 off-site programming utility

1 Lutron HWI-HHPJ-Q1 programming jack

1 Lutron HWI HWI-MI-120 interface for eight modules

1 Lutron HWI HWI-PM-D48-120 processor with MI and D48

1 Lutron HWI HWI-PNL-5 32in. remote-power, rough in-panel

1 Lutron HWI HWI-PNL-8 59in. recessed enclosure for eight modules

1 Lutron HWI HWI-TEL9 telephone interface

3 Lutron HWI HW-RPM-4M-120 motor modules

10 Lutron HWI HW-RPM-4U-120 dimming RPM 4 zones

10 Lutron HWI HWV-600D 600W/VA dimmers for incandescent low-voltage lighting

9 Lutron HWI SK-6BRL-I six-button keypad

9 Lutron HWI ST-7B-I-WH designer-style seven-button See Touch keypad

1 Lutron HWI VETS-R Homeworks auxiliary switch

4 Lutron V-600 non-system 600W dimmer

Time and Expertise Worksheet
Task	Hours
Client Interviews	10
Electronic Design and Engineering:	60
Proposal and System Documentation Preparation:	16
Project Management:	64
Pre-wire/Rough-in:	45
Trim-out:	24
Shop Time for Racking and Testing:	24
Programming:	40
Final Installation and Calibration:	8
Client Instruction:	1
Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company:	0
Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others:	40
Project Management by Others:	0
Other time: builder's interior designs, drawings done on paper:	0
Total Hours to Complete:	332