A bright kitchen with recessed lighting, in-ceiling speakers, and a control system.

Image Credit

Architect: Anmahian Winton Architects | Photography: Florian Holzherr

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Every project begins with an exploration.

If you’re looking for assistance selecting lighting or shading products, we connect you with a product specialist at our Wolfers Lighting, Boston Shade, or Back Bay Shutter divisions. If you’re looking for design assistance or have a more involved project, we introduce you to our technology design team.

Increasingly sophisticated and increasingly complex, home technology has become something you must plan for like mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP). It needs to be part of the design from the beginning, prior to the framing of a home.

In each of our designs, our design team explores the relationship between technology and architecture.  Technology should augment the beauty of a space and never distract from it, while remaining reliable and simple to use. We work closely with you, your architect, and your project team to create a technology design tailored to fit your home and lifestyle.

Design Process

1) Client Interview & Technology Education

Each project is unique, and each client has unique technology needs and interests. We begin with an in person or virtual meeting to discuss the project and review your architectural plans.

Education is central to our design process. At this first meeting, we can provide a comprehensive and immersive overview of the options, focusing on what we call the "7 Layers of Home Technology".

Motorized Shading

Motorized Shading

Lighting Controls & Dimming

Lighting Controls & Dimming

Lighting Fixtures

Lighting Fixtures

Audio / Video

Audio / Video

Networking

Networking

Access Control

Access Control

Specialty Systems

Specialty Systems

2) Initial Design Study & Schematic Drawings

Next, we perform a rapid design study using your architectural plans and our custom software. Our design team incorporates the lighting, shading, and technology systems you would like into a preliminary technology design.

We provide schematic drawings that give you a graphical view into  scope and budget. We review the design and adjustments are made, as needed.

A sample schematic technology design drawing, showing the preliminary locations for in-ceiling speakers, motorized window treatments, and controls.

3) Design Engineering & Construction DRawings

Once the schematic drawings have been approved, we engineer the design and develop full construction drawings. Detail drawings assist with fixture placement and the coordination of important technical elements.

A sample construction drawing, showing specific locations for in-ceiling speakers, automated shades, and other home technology components.

4) Contract Administration & Project Management

After construction begins, our contract administration team follows the project to completion and ensures smooth execution of the design.

If the project is located in New England, we can provide installation of the motorized shading and technology systems. If the project is outside of New England, we can help develop a comprehensive bid package and manage the technology subcontractor selection process.

In either case, we coordinate the technology scope of work with the project team . We review submittals and change orders, and we confirm that the systems are complete and commissioned at the end of the project.

Two people collaborate at a table and take notes.

5) Client Services & Support

For projects where we provide installation, our client services team supports the technology system after move-in day. We can implement changes to programming as requested and remotely update, monitor, and service the system.

Continuing to support our clients over time is important to us. Our longest-tenured service customer has a system we installed 18 years ago.

The exterior of a modern home with grassy sand dunes in the foreground.

Image Credit

Architect: Anmahian Winton Architects | Photography: Florian Holzherr

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Work With Us

Are you starting a new project? We'd be happy to explore how we can collaborate. Send us a note via the form below, or schedule a design consultation at our Experience Center in Boston.