Project Summary
More Than Just a Custom Theater Room: AIC’s Award-Winning Smart Home Integration
At AIC, we don’t just create smart homes—we engineer immersive experiences. Our latest project, nestled beneath the mossy oaks and towering pines of the South, is a testament to that vision. This expansive 8,000+ sq ft custom-built residence, complete with over 4,000 sq ft of covered porches, outdoor entertainment zones, and elegant interiors, was recently recognized with a 2024 CE Pro Home of the Year Gold Award in the Spaces – Best Strange and Specialty Area category for our unique implementation of a custom theater room from an attic mechanical space.
But this wasn’t just about installing a traditional custom theater room—it was about building an entire ecosystem of intelligent design, seamless automation, and uncompromised luxury.
Rock-Solid Networking Infrastructure for a Seamless Smart Home
The foundation of any reliable smart home is its network. In this project, the challenge was scale: ensuring fast, stable connectivity across a sprawling estate with zero dead zones. AIC implemented a Layer-3 commercial-grade network infrastructure, featuring a hybrid of Ruckus and Ubiquiti core systems. With a multi-WAN gigabit router, 48-port PoE gigabit switch, and static IPs for all devices, the system delivers unmatched reliability and performance.
Eight strategically placed wireless access points, connected via 10Gbps fiber uplinks, create overlapping zones of high-speed coverage throughout the home and surrounding areas. Bluebolt technology offers 24/7 network monitoring with automated reboots during off-peak hours—ensuring that this smart home stays smart, even while you sleep.
The Custom Home Theater: A Gamer and Movie-Lover’s Dream
The crown jewel of this project is the dedicated 7.2.2 Dolby Atmos custom theater room. Built for maximum performance and immersive entertainment, it includes:
A Sony 4K laser projector
A 120” Screen Innovations theater screen with Ketra ambient backlighting
Tower and in-ceiling Martin Logan speakers with dual Speakercraft subwoofers
A rack-mounted Kaleidescape movie server
Four Sony PlayStation consoles for simultaneous multi-player action
Full control via Elan HR40 remote and Elan matrix video wall system
This room was designed to switch effortlessly between blockbuster movie night and competitive gaming tournament, offering lossless audio and video transmission thanks to a dedicated equipment rack protected by Furman power conditioners and Panamax Bluebolt surge protectors.
Smart Home Automation with Nice and Elan
AIC selected Nice Home Automation and Elan controls to manage this home’s numerous systems—from audio and video to lighting, security, and climate. With the ability to control everything via touchscreen, iPads, HR40 remotes, or the homeowner’s smartphone (onsite or remotely), convenience meets cutting-edge control.
Each room includes custom “favorites” settings for personalized experiences, whether it’s the morning light setting in the master suite or the “movie night” scene in the theater. Integration is smooth and intuitive, giving the homeowner complete command of their environment with a single tap.
Luxury Lighting and Automated Drapery
Lighting and shading were a top priority in this custom home. Working closely with Lutron and luxury shade fabricator Taylor Made, our team delivered a comprehensive solution that blends elegance with efficiency. From Roman shade kits in the master suite to smart lighting scenes throughout the home, every detail was custom-fitted and synchronized with the automation system.
Outdoor Entertainment Like No Other
The outdoor spaces of this Lowcountry estate are more than relaxing—they’re a sensory experience. AIC installed:
10 landscape speakers
3 in-ground subwoofers
2 weather-resistant Seura outdoor TVs
Overhead and in-ceiling speakers across porches and patios
These zones work independently or together to deliver a continuous flow of music and entertainment. Whether lounging by the pool or gathered around the fire pit, the sound design ensures you’re always surrounded by crisp audio and subtle, immersive bass.
Whole-Home Audio & Video Integration
With 11 independently sourced TV zones and in-ceiling speakers providing audio return, every room—from bedrooms to living spaces—feels cinematic. The master and main floor televisions are Samsung Frame TVs, blending seamlessly into the home’s decor when not in use.
Recognition at the CE Pro Awards
We’re honored that this project earned the Gold award in the 2024 CE Pro Home of the Year Awards. Winning in the Best Strange and Specialty Area category speaks to the ingenuity, teamwork, and technical mastery that went into making this residence truly one of a kind.
If you’re looking to transform your home with state-of-the-art automation, immersive theater design, or robust smart networking, AIC is your partner in innovation. From foundation to finish, we deliver luxury technology experiences that enhance every moment.
