- Five homes. Only five. Each priced over $1.6 million. Square footage stretches from 6,000 and beyond. New build, high-end homes fully furnished and landscaped with cutting edge security and entertainment technology, all carefully designed with the finest comforts of what is endearingly call "home sweet home." The estate-sized residences in this private, million dollar subdivision of Wenmoor were the main attractions during the 2003 Tulsa Street of Dreams, a single site luxury home tour of an exclusive 37-acre gated community. Five extravagant homes. Five different home builders, not only standing proud but striving to stand out.
"For most this home was the first they had ever seen using control technology. So many came back to the home on different days to get another look at everything or to show a friend how the system works. The reactions were always that of great amazement."
- Willcut Properties, a residential builder located in Bixby, Okla., accomplished exactly that by incorporating one-touch AMX® NetLinx® Control System technology. The bar had been raised. With the expertise of Intelligent Home Automation, an AMX Dealer based in Stillwater, Okla., seamless integration capabilities and attractive AMX Touch Panels would welcome visitors with the ability to activate security, audio/video equipment, home theater components and heating and air conditioning at the simple touch of a button. It was unanimous: the Willcut Properties showroom home received the coveted "Best Of Show" honor.
- "It's the top award, what all the builders are shooting for," said Intelligent Home Automation vice president Darren Huddleston. "For some of the people coming through, they had heard a little about home automation, but for most this home was the first they had ever seen using control technology. So many came back to the home on different days to get another look at everything or to show a friend how the system works. The reactions were always that of great amazement."
- Intelligent Home Automation installed approximately $60,000 worth of integration technology throughout the award-winning home. Behind the scenes, an AMX NI-2000 Net Linx® Integrated Controller connects televisions, personal computers, security cameras, garage doors, pool/spa settings, motorized window treatments and audio distribution. On the surface, graphically-rich AMX Touch Panels and Keypads activate specific functions, as desired, at will. No other showroom home on the tour could match this technology, expressly designed to enhance the homeowner's lifestyle with maximum convenience, comfort and luxury.
- "We were told over and over again how warm and cozy the home felt," Huddleston said. "When visitors entered, I'd joke with them and say 'Doesn't this house feel cold?' That would grab their attention and get plenty of funny looks. Next I would introduce the integration features and AMX, explaining that this was probably one of the most high-tech homes they'll ever be in, but the surrounding, hidden technology doesn't make it feel that way. They never see the technology, and a Touch Panel or Keypad does everything."
- "For such an investment, it is just an incredible upgrade in the homeowner's lifestyle in relation to the size of the home," Huddleston added.
- Consider for example the showroom home's staircase. It's wired with special sensors that detect the amount of pressure being applied to the wooden steps. Once the amount of weight exceeds 60 pounds, floor lights turn on and guide the way. Intelligent Home Automation also added a sensor to a deadbolt on a side door located in the garage, which sits completely opposite to the master bedroom. Rather than walk across the entire house to secure the lock, the sensor allows the homeowner to simply pick up the 4 inch Touch Panel and double-check security there and throughout any other rooms.
- "The level of automation in this home was obviously above and beyond what the other builders on the Street of Dreams tour were doing or capable of," Huddleston said. "Our company and Willcut Properties were able to make the home different from any other and that drew a lot of attention and accolades."
