Lake Keowee Home of the Year Project

About This Project

Impeccably designed and curated, this lakefront property was crafted to reflect the homeowners’ passions and hobbies: art, nature, wine, music, entertaining and travel. Although the homeowners sought state-of the-art technology, their desire was to keep the eye focused on their elegantly designed home interior. Executing their vision through collaboration and teamwork with the builder, interior design firm, and cabinet maker along with the project electricians and carpenters to overcome architectural challenges and design revisions was the true highlight of this project. The result is stunning: an effortless audio video experience that includes invisible in-ceiling speakers throughout their main floor, hidden, customized TV lifts, sophisticated equipment cabinets, custom TV mirrors, motorized shades, an extensive security system, home automation and more. All of this technology is simply and intuitively accessible through the Elan home control system. We’ll toast to the homeowner’s flawless vision after we press the champagne button, announcing the need for bubbly throughout the pool bar and cabana.

Challenges & Compromises

Providing seamless interaction through technology while maintaining aesthetic integrity governed this project. Significant architectural challenges coupled with several rounds of design revisions required Fusion to creatively execute solutions delivering state-of-the-art technology without sacrificing the client’s specific vision for their home. A significant obstacle Fusion encountered in several iterations was to disguise technology, which required coordination with multiple parties. In the dining room, Fusion was asked to install invisible speakers behind a wood ceiling that was too thick for audio to pass through. Through collaboration with the builder and carpenter, the wood was shaved down considerably, resulting in clear audio. The master suite held unique design challenges, including installing a hidden Nexus TV lift in a custom built trunk as well as providing custom TV mirrors in the master bath, each of which was accomplished by working with interior designers, a custom cabinetry expert and electrician. Another substantial roadblock was the installation of the 360⁰ rotating Auton TV lift for the cabana and pool areas. After a year of extensive planning with the builder and carpenter, the lift was damaged by a subcontractor at the end of the installation process, and required removal, repair and re-installation before it was operational.

Project Stand Outs

Massive amounts of teamwork, collaboration and communication between partners during the execution of this project made it exceptional. From a technical standpoint, Fusion installed one of the first 98” Sony TVs to hit the American market, accompanied by Dolby Atmos 7.2.4 surround sound and powered by a McIntosh amplifier and processor in the client’s family room. Also tied into the family room’s audio equipment is a dual microphone karaoke system and a PAR Z Move RGBW programmed to synchronize with the music. McIntosh amplifiers power the whole house audio system, with invisible speakers on the main floor and 10” in-ceiling speakers mixed with subwoofers throughout the remainder of the home. The home boasts a video distribution system that routes 10 sources to 16 displays using Crestron NVX integrated with the Elan control system. Lutron QS lighting control and motorized shades were also integrated and automated through the Elan control system. Anticipating potential client needs for future technology during the pre-wire phase was another key component to this project due to interior stonework that would prohibit running wire after installation. Overall, Fusion successfully executed the client’s vision for seamlessly integrated technology in every part of their home without compromising their aesthetic.