Josh.ai Makes Complex Homes Feel Simple
Integrated controls for luxury homes keep expanding in popularity and capability. The challenge is how to create a cohesive technology ecosystem without creating complexity that makes a system difficult to use.
That was the challenge recently presented to Josh.ai by a client who wanted a whole home automation system that complemented the home’s clean, contemporary design. Ultimately, that meant bringing together 310 devices into one control platform.
“There’s a tremendous amount of technology in this home, but I never want the homeowner to feel like they’re operating a complicated system,” said Jason Bernhardt of integrator Custom Connections. “They should be able to walk into a room and simply ask for what they want. That’s what Josh.ai does so well. It takes everything we’ve integrated – lighting, shades, entertainment, music, climate – and makes it feel simple.”
The Seamless Experience
The technology included in 53 Montecito spanned 310 total devices across lighting, shades, climate, surveillance, access control, audio, video, water features, fireplaces, and more. The challenge was deploying a system that enabled all of it to work together seamlessly without making the home feel overly technical.
To achieve this, Josh.ai provided flexible control with handheld remotes, room-specific touchscreens, and hands-free voice, making the entire property accessible however each member of the family chooses to interact with their surroundings.
Josh.ai also enabled the home to respond intelligently to everyday activities and changing conditions, coordinating connected experiences that promote ease of use. When the theater’s entertainment system is turned on to watch a movie or TV, the shades automatically lower to reduce glare and create an optimal viewing experience. At night, a motion sensor in the backyard is set to trigger a security scene that announces activity through the backyard speakers while activating selected exterior and interior lighting to create the impression that the home is occupied.
Some of products included in the system design include:
- Lighting: Ketra controlled by Lutron HomeWorks QSX
- Shading: Lutron Palladiom and Sivoia QS
- Climate: Ecobee smart thermostats
- Security & Access: IC Realtime surveillance and access control, along with August and Yale locks
- Audio: Sonos powering Sonance speakers throughout the property, with Denon supporting the dedicated theater.
- Video: Roku streaming throughout the property, with a dedicated theater featuring an Epson projector and Denon AVR.
- Theater Audio: A high-performance 9.2 Dolby Atmos configuration utilizing MartinLogan speakers.
- Pool & Water Features: Pentair integration managing the pool, spa, and interior fountain pools.
- Fireplace: IntelliFire smart fireplaces.
The Result
At 53 Montecito, Josh.ai has become more than another layer of technology. It is the control center for the entire property.
For the architect and designer, the result is just as important. Sophisticated technology has been installed and seamlessly integrated, while preserving the visual integrity of the space. Josh Nano microphones discreetly integrate throughout the property, while strategically placed Josh Touchscreens and the Josh Edge remote provide tactile control everywhere it is needed.
The home’s technology works around the design. Interfaces are intentionally limited, hardware remains discreet, and the intelligence of the system lives largely behind the scenes. The result is a home that feels sophisticated because of its technology’s capability to transform the space with such a small visual footprint.
Learn more about Josh.ai’s 53 Montecito project here.
