For seasoned Snap One partner Sean Linden from the Australian-based integration firm AudioTech, a critical aspect of business is offering a one-stop shop for high-end, tech-savvy homeowners. In addition to designing and deploying custom smart systems into luxury residences, his company also installs electrical cabling.

One of AudioTech’s most exciting Snap One projects to date is an ultra-contemporary residence called ‘The Nest’. Perched on a hilltop in Canberra, Australia, ‘The Nest’ nomenclature is symbolic of more than the home’s prominent location.

The vast variety of best-in-class products integrated into this one-of-a-kind residence create a comfortable and cozy refuge for the owners.

“We were fortunate enough to have a long, 12-month planning period and clients who were very receptive to exploring a wide range of possibilities,” Sean explains.

“We had ample time to collaborate, brainstorm, and conceptualise many different applications for the technologies and the outcome speaks for itself.”

AudioTech used the ample planning time to select an integration-friendly, highly customisable Control4 system to synchronise the operation of many different types and brands of smart home devices. A member of the Snap One family of products, the Control4 automation platform would interoperate easily with the many other Snap One products chosen for ‘The Nest’, including Araknis and Pakedge WiFi networking components, distributed AV system, Luma surveillance cameras, architectural lighting and more.

Products from vendors outside the Snap One family were also placed under the supervision of the Control4 system, giving the owners a simple means of managing every aspect of their home environment from Control4 touchscreens and keypads flush mounted within the walls, remote controls on nightstands and coffee tables and even a mobile app on their smartphones. From any of these interfaces the family can launch a ‘Welcome’ scene to set the lights, temperature, motorised window shades and security system for their return home from errands or a holiday. Another scene launches a string of commands to prepare the home environment for bedtime.

And what would ‘The Nest’ be without a simple one-touch activation of a high-end home cinema? Within seconds, a Sony video projector and Anthem AV receiver fire up and deliver 4K video and audio to a 165” Dragonfly screen and Triad surround-sound speakers. These scenes and others were tailored precisely by AudioTech to the family’s routines and preferences.

Familiarity with the Control4 brand by both AudioTech and the homeowners, who had used Control4 in a previous residence, inspired a highly creative approach to the automation of the project.

“Our team and our clients both felt comfortable and confident enlisting the Control4 system to adjust connected systems automatically without any human interaction,” Sean says.

Certainly, the Control4 system and its connected subsystems provide the owners with a plethora of practical benefits. Still, there was a bit of fun to be had. AudioTech and the owners put their heads together to devise a few more lighthearted tasks for the multi-faceted automation system to handle. The massive motorised front door was one of the first places they addressed. Guests who press the button of a Control4 intercom station can’t help but chuckle at the perfectly timed creaking sound effects that play as the door swings open. Sound effects were applied to the elevator, as well. The Star Wars theme song plays as a motorised panel slides to reveal a big screen TV and when the elevator doors open.

“Features like these add a fun twist to the technology. We can’t wait to see what ideas the owners think of next. No matter what they dream up, the Control4 system and Snap One are up for the challenge,” Sean adds.