In the spirit of the 2014 Winter Games, Control4 has awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze monikers to three high-tech ski homes that exemplify dedication to slope-side living.
Gold Medal: One Happo, Hakuba, Japan
Nestled near the Nagano ski slopes, this world-class smart home is defined by its James Bond-like style, smarts, and intelligent sustainability. Guests of the chalet are treated to the ultimate convenience and luxury. In the morning, automated blinds gently open, followed by streaming music of the guest’s choice before a 3D plasma TV descends from the ceiling while kicking on the morning news. Strategically placed iPad mobile devices also allow visitors to custom-tailor their experience by dimming lights and controlling underfloor radiant heating. A Control4-controlled HVAC system, more than 30 controllable blinds and automated lighting solutions, adjust automatically, or can be customized by the homeowners to optimize interior conditions according to the season. The roof, driveway, and ground heating systems are managed through automatic snow sensors, while the eight-person hot tub is automated to fill, heat, and clean itself.
Silver Medal: Truckee Ski House, Northstar, California
Guests at this smart ski home can utilize one of the seven Control4-enabled cameras, conveniently pointed at the ski slopes, to remotely check ski conditions before gearing up for the day ahead. Featuring eighteen zones of hydronic heating and six zones of forced air heating/cooling, plus remote-start gas fireplaces and automated shading, the home’s custom Control4 system keeps guests warm and comfortable all winter. The homeowners frequently take advantage of the Control4 4Sight remote access feature, which allows them to monitor and control the above systems from anywhere in the world. After a day on the slopes, the owners can press a single button named “Party Mode” to kick off a playlist in each of 16 audio zones through the home’s Tannoy speakers. Other one-touch functions include control over the home’s Marantz electronics, as well as the operation of a motorized lift, which reveals a Panasonic Professional Plasma TV.
Bronze Medal: New York Ski Chalet, Ellicottville, NY
This three-story ski chalet has all of the Control4 automated home essentials, including controllable security with Kwikset locks and closed circuit cameras, lighting, thermostat, and HVAC systems for maximum energy efficiency. Sensors can detect and notify the owner via email when temperatures inside or outside of the home dip dangerously low – whether for guests’ benefits or to protect the home’s systems. What would a high-tech ski chalet be without three separate, automated outdoor heating mats for melting snow, radiant floor heat, heated bathroom tiles, and even heated toilet-seats? The chalet’s owner can program “disposable codes” that make it easy for renters to access the house without exchanging keys. These homeowners also make good use of the Control4 4Sight remote access service, as they manage temperatures, review the cameras, and monitor the home before arrival.
