AMX, iPad Hide & Control Extensive System
By Lisa Montgomery
For a family that craved simplicity, an AMX control system and six Apple iPads combine to provide simple home management- that’s barely seen.

What do you expect to see in the smartest home in the country? A ton of technology, right? Our grand prize Home of the Year definitely has that, but it’s nearly impossible to see any of it.

The Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) speakers that stream music to every corner of this 14,000-square-foot abode blend in with the ceilings. The sensors that monitor the temperature of each room are painted to match the wall surfaces. The keypads and touchpanels that operate the home’s lights and audio/ video equipment are virtually nonexistent.



A Fusion of Electronics
The disappearing act was completely intentional, says Sean Weiner, president of Starr Systems Design, the Baltimore, Md.–based firm that tricked out this award-winning house. The custom electronics (CE) pros at Starr collaborated with the homeowners and the interior designer throughout the six-year-long project to ensure that every piece of technology would fuse seamlessly into the decor, which would showcase artwork and materials from around the globe. One product largely responsible for clearing away the technological clutter was the Apple iPad.

“Six years ago when we started planning the design of the house, iPads weren’t around,” says the owner. Naturally, at that point, the best option would have been to install several in-wall touchpanels throughout the residence.

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