When prospective homebuyers enter “The Cameron,” the new model home from Michigan luxury home builder Sapphire Homes, they are whisked into a world of lavish opulence highlighted by expertly appointed interior design, modern architectural stylings and the latest smart living technologies from Snap One. According to Chadi Shaya, owner of custom integration firm Intellitech Systems, the builder’s “Redefining Luxury Again” theme perfectly represents The Cameron’s advanced technological enhancements that help automate and streamline daily household activities while delivering greater enjoyment and future-readiness.
“Home buyers rarely have deep knowledge of all the components required to deliver the living experience they desire, so it’s vital that we and Sapphire Homes introduce them to the possibilities and options before they make any final decisions about their new build,” Shaya said. “In The Cameron, we took the opportunity to showcase all the available features we can deliver with Snap One’s vast technology catalog, from whole-home AV distribution and a state-of-the-art home theater to mobile device control of colored LED lighting, security, surveillance, networking gear, video doorbells, electronic door locks, thermostats, window shades, and even the garage doors.”
The Cameron’s experiences and demos are based on the Control4 smart home system, which enables virtually any home technology to be integrated into a centralized platform where actions can be automated, scheduled and grouped into larger events and scenes, while also providing instant mobile control from anywhere in the world through the Control4 mobile app. As clients tour the model home, they can experience the various accouterments and flourishes Sapphire offers while experimenting with the advanced, customizable control offered by all of the Snap One solutions that Intellitech Systems can deploy.
“Snap One technology has played a pivotal role in our sales over the years, enabling us to offer fully integrated whole home automation that suits the needs of our clients who are often looking for the latest smart living technology,” said Randy Najjar, owner of Sapphire Homes. “The ability to create custom scenes that enhance convenience or set a particular mood is a very desirable and popular feature.”
“In The Cameron,” Najjar added, “we have created a lot of custom scenes such as ‘Dinner Party,’ which turns on specific light fixtures at specific levels while initiating our favorite Frank Sinatra playlist through the whole home audio system; ‘Movie Night,’ which automates the home theater’s ambient lighting, turns on the projector and launches Netflix with the volume at a pre-set level; and ‘Goodbye,’ which turns off all the interior lights, closes the blinds and shades, locks the doors and sets the alarm. This is an eye-opening experience for a lot of clients, demonstrating the power and value of these technologies to simplify their daily lives and increase enjoyment of their home spaces.”
Nearly every space on the property has connected technologies, including two outdoor audio and video zones with Episode speakers and Sunbrite outdoor TVs. The home features 15 audio zones of Triad in-ceiling speakers, 14 video zones with intuitive control through dedicated Control4 Halo and SR260 remotes, a 7.4.2 Atmos surround sound home theater system with Triad Gold speakers, and Control4’s LED-based Vibrant Linear Lighting system with full-color RGBW capabilities.
The home’s technology backbone is a professional-grade Araknis networking solution with Wi-Fi6 access points that supports all the systems mentioned above, as well as the Luma security and surveillance system, two Control4 video doorbells, two Kwikset electronic door locks, six HVAC zones with Control4 thermostats, and Lutron motorized window shades for every window. In addition to the TV remotes and Control4 mobile app, the home also features multiple in-wall Control4 touchscreens and Control4 backlit lighting keypads that provide convenient control access no matter where the users are.
The tour allows prospective buyers to sample all of the home’s advantages and determine which systems they want, what experiences excite them, and which spaces can be elevated to offer greater customization, simplicity and enjoyment. As they get a first look at the Control4 system’s intuitive interface, they recognize the convenience of appearance and use continuity across mobile devices, in-wall touchpanels, tabletop touchscreens, and even the on-screen display available on TV sets. Basic use of the system can be learned in just a few minutes, and buyers receive more training upon move-in to allow deeper control and adjustments of automations, scenes and individual components.
Reliability and consistency are crucial elements of successful technology integration, which is why Intellitech also deployed OvrC remote system management devices that enable the integrator to remotely fix minor issues, receive automatic alerts of malfunctions without action from the owners, and initiate software updates when necessary. Visitors are shown how they can control all the home’s lights at once, how to view live surveillance camera feeds remotely, and how easy it is to make changes to the ambiance of rooms or zones including TVs, music, adjustable-color lighting, climate and window shades.
“We try to make the whole process as easy as possible for the buyers, and the first thing we do is give them a two-page automation and AV checklist to show all the solutions available and help them decide what their priorities are,” Shaya said. “That’s also why we landed on Control4 as our automation system, since it delivers one of the most streamlined and reliable user experiences available”
In the competitive luxury home building industry, making advanced technologies a fundamental part of the design and build process also helps differentiate Sapphire from competitors that often view home control and integration as a secondary concern. By getting buyers excited about the possibilities up front, the contractors and integrators can ensure optimal system design and efficiency while also reducing construction complications that can arise from late changes or incomplete planning.
“Our goal in The Cameron model home is to elicit wonder and awe, and the Snap One solutions deliver with such impressive performance that 70 to 80 percent of buyers end up adding a Control4 system with various levels of integration and peripheral systems,” Shaya said. “Altogether, the experience truly does redefine luxury.”
The Cameron, Sapphire’s latest model in the distinguished Bloomfield Hunt Club gated community, is set on a one-acre lot. The home boasts a two-story great room with an Italian marble fireplace and an exceptional light fixture, alongside a Eurocraft kitchen equipped with Miele appliances. The main suite offers a private balcony, spa-like bathroom with heated floors, and a two-story closet. Additional features include a guest suite, three second-floor bedroom suites, and a fully finished lower level with a 20-seat theater, home gym, spa facilities, and a wine bar.
