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Astrid von Krenski

From the Ground Up

By Astrid von KrenskiMarch 11, 2021

Handcrafted Sound & Sustainability for a Brooklyn Brownstone

Photography by John Frattasi

“Entourage” star Adrian Grenier elected Leon Speakers to turn his screening room into a “party-ready” multifunctional space. A full Leon 7.2 system was installed to provide that home cinema experience.

After purchasing an impressive five-story, fixer-upper in the heart of Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood back in 2015, Adrian Grenier and his team began the arduous process of completely transforming the space from the ground up.

When approaching the remodel, Grenier, an actor, environmentalist, and investor, best known for his role as Vincent Chase in HBO’s TV series “Entourage,” was looking to preserve the original charm of the historic home while also incorporating the latest in smart home technology. And as someone passionate about the environment, he had sustainability top-of-mind for every aspect of the design process.

Grenier brought on local integration firm Powers IoT in Port Jefferson, New York, to address the technology needs in the space.

“When Adrian approached me about his Brooklyn brownstone remodel project, he stressed that the design should focus on providing a safe and relaxing environment as well as prioritizing sustainability and utilizing technology to achieve increased energy efficiency,” said Jason Powers, Founder and CEO of Powers IoT. “And because he’s an audiophile at heart, he wanted every space to be filled with high-quality audio. For this, we turned to our friends at Leon Speakers.”

The home’s kitchen was outfitted with discreet Leon Axis in-ceiling and Vault in-wall speakers


Merging Sound & Sustainability
After consulting with Grenier and IoT to understand the scope and vision of the project, the Leon design team got to work creating a custom-tailored, whole home audio experience that would deliver premium sound with style and sustainability in mind.

“I’ve been a fan of Adrian’s for a long time, so I was excited for the opportunity to work on this project with him,” said Noah Kaplan, Founder and President of Leon Speakers. “Sustainability is important to me as a business owner and that’s why our philosophy at Leon is to build products that last; products that aren’t meant to be discarded when the latest model comes out. Leons are an investment piece made of real materials that will remain in your home for many, many years.”

While working with environmentally friendly materials, recyclable packaging, and running its factory with Lean Manufacturing principles are all part of Leon’s standard operating procedure, the company wanted to take it a step further for Grenier’s project. Knowing his desire to have every detail of the home be as sustainable as possible, Leon was able to source local, reclaimed wood to be used in a number of the custom pieces being designed.


Make It “Party Ready”
To create a fully immersive listening experience, the home was designed with speakers in almost every room.

When entering the apartment into the main living room, a pair of Leon Profile Ultima tower speakers wrapped in reclaimed Walnut flank either side of the ornate fireplace. In the same space, a 3-channel Horizon Ultima soundbar built to match the exact width of the TV and a pair of 6” Axis in-ceiling speakers were incorporated to deliver high-quality sound in an unobtrusive package.

Downstairs in the screening room, a multifunctional space that Grenier wanted to be “party ready” and provide a home cinema experience, a full Leon 7.2 system was installed.

Customized to match the warm tones and rich colors in the space, Leon handcrafted a Walnut Edge Media Frame to encase both the TV and the Horizon Ultima 3-channel soundbar. A pair of 10” Aaros ultra-thin subwoofers also finished in Walnut were positioned underneath the TV, with two Axis In-ceiling speakers installed overhead. To complete the powerful, surround sound experience Grenier desired, a Timbre SEVEN Tower floorstanding speaker with butcher block cabinets was positioned on either side of the seating area, providing big, full-range sound.

The home’s bedrooms were outfitted with discreet Leon Axis in-ceiling and Vault in-wall speakers, as was the kitchen, which also includes an Aaros ultra-thin subwoofer wrapped in Walnut. The backyard and deck areas feature six of Leon’s Terra FIVE outdoor speakers.

In addition to speakers by Leon, the home also features Google Nest Learning Thermostats throughout to reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling, LED lighting powered by Lutron smart switches and motion detectors, and sense energy monitors to allow Grenier to track his energy usage in real-time.

For security—and peace of mind—Google Nest Secure alarm systems, Nest Cam IQ security cameras, and Nest Protect smoke and CO alarms were installed.


The Virtual Reveal
Once everything was installed and the final design touches had been made, Kaplan joined Grenier on a video call for a virtual walkthrough of the home.

“The last time I saw this space it was a construction zone so it’s great to see it all finished,” said Kaplan. “It’s really an amazing transformation.”
Grenier toured Kaplan around the different rooms, pointing out the various Leon products throughout, commenting on their design, “You’re really coming at this from an artist‘s perspective. You’re creating a piece of art with each of these products.”

At the end of the call, the two vowed to catch up in person someday to watch movies and play music together.

“It’s so good to see what you did with the space,” said Kaplan. “And I always appreciate how you pay attention to sustainability and the environment. Keep up all the great work you do, it’s really important.”

The home’s bedrooms were outfitted with discreet Leon Axis in-ceiling and Vault in-wall speakers


Contact info
Powers IoT
407 East Main Street, Suite 5
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
powersiot.com

Equipment

Leon Profile Ultima tower speakers
Leon 3-channel Horizon Ultima soundbar
Leon 6” Axis in-ceiling speakers
Leon 7.2 system
Leon Horizon Ultima 3-channel soundbar
Leon 10” Aaros ultra-thin subwoofers
Leon Timbre SEVEN Tower floorstanding speaker
Leon Vault in-wall speakers
Leon Terra FIVE outdoor speakers
Google Nest Learning Thermostats
Lutron smart switches and motion detectors
Google Nest Secure alarm systems
Nest Cam IQ security cameras
Nest Protect smoke and CO alarms

Project Partners

Interior Designer
Estelle Bailey-Babenzien
Dream Awake
thedreamawake.com

Visions of a Fully Connected Home

Getting the most out of connected kitchen, bath & smart home tech


For many families working and schooling from home, 2020 wasn’t the ideal time to redo a space as essential as the kitchen or bathroom, noted Todd Tomalak, principal at JBREC, in the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) Q3 2020 Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI). However, as we settle into 2021, designers and technology integration pros are reporting a significant uptick in both inquiries and project starts.

In fact, NKBA’s recently released 2021 Market Outlook report—based on homeowner feedback—reports a tailwind of big interior projects and indoor kitchen remodels, and indicates smart home products will be a popular premium feature upgrade. That’s opportunity knocking!

“Smart kitchens and bathrooms used to be nothing more than a concept—a vision of the future—but now they’re quite common,” notes Gordon Van Zuiden, owner of CA-based systems integration firm cyberManor, whose new smart home experience center near Silicon Valley features top-of-the-line connected appliances and technology.

Van Zuiden remodeled a former schoolhouse into a home with high-end kitchen appliances by Thermador and Bosch; a bathroom outfitted with Kohler’s Veil intelligent toilet and Konnect DTV+ spa showering system; and smart energy by Sonnen to illustrate how design and tech not only harmoniously coexist but complement each other.

“Consumers are demanding design-forward homes and expect tech to play a role. That’s where we come in—to help guide the conversation and deliver the experience.”

Here are a few things to consider as you design to accommodate today’s
top tech.

TYM Homes has been able to recess smart devices like voice assistants into the toughest of surfaces.


The Network Is King
A home’s technology, much like its physical infrastructure, needs a solid foundation to perform at its best. Without fast, reliable connectivity, any device that connects to the network to enable or operate smart features will struggle.

High-end, built-in appliances, like those from Signature Kitchen Suite, LG, Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau, now also rely on the home network, some with app-driven recipes and cooking instructions and remote service capabilities, which help assuage the fears of those unaccustomed to smart home technology.

Add to that other data-intensive smart appliances like voice assistants, voice-controlled faucets, connected showering systems, media room systems, smart speakers, HVAC, and just about everything else in the modern home, and you can see why the network is absolutely critical.

Hiding Tech in Plain Sight
If your clients are planning a project with smart home features and functionality, it’s crucial to provide them with a variety of options early-on in the design process.

Many technology manufacturers are taking an innovative, design-forward approach to product development so that technology can now be hidden in plain sight and so that your designs can truly take center stage.

“The most popular homeowner request for technology in a kitchen and bathroom is speakers,” says Rocky Settacasi, a design consultant at TRI Phase Techologies in Zionsville, IN. Background music can evoke a variety of moods, making a room feel warm and welcoming one minute, and relaxing, reflective, energetic or entertaining the next.

The standard design-conscious solution is typically speakers mounted flush with the ceiling surface. Round and relatively small, they resemble light fixtures for minimal visual impact. “But why pockmark the ceiling when speakers can completely disappear?” Settecasi proposes. “Some speakers, like Sonance’s Invisible Speaker line, can be covered with a coat of finishing compound and paint, venetian plaster, wallpaper, wood veneer, you name it. Because you can’t see them, invisible speakers allow us to place speakers where they will work best instead of trying to work them into the layout of the ceiling lights—often a challenge and not always the best approach for even, balanced audio coverage. Products like these, are game-changers for rooms like kitchens and baths.”

Products like the Sonance Motion Flex Invisible Series please both integrators and interior designers with their seamless integration.


Mirror, TV, on the Wall
“A mirror is a must in the bathroom. And in the kitchen, it creates the illusion of space and light,” says Elizabeth Goldfeder of Reflectel, a maker of high-performance, custom-framed mirror TVs in virtually any shape or size to complement your kitchen or bath design.

OLED or QLED displays are discreetly hidden behind the glass, completely invisible until turned on. The homeowner can queue music, check messages, and check connected security cameras to see who’s at the door. Beautiful and functional, mirror TVs have attracted some of the country’s most prestigious designers, and are showcased at design showrooms, including Christopher Peacock, Aster Cuciene, Bloomingdale’s and Urban Home. When using a mirror TV, it’s also important to make sure everything is properly connected and secure on the network to maintain privacy.

Beautifully Integrated Control
When it’s dark, hands are full, or relaxation is the objective, it’s easier to call out commands to activate smart home commands than it is to press a button or touchscreen. There’s never been a better time or place to integrate voice control or smart speakers then now, especially in the kitchen and bath.

Today, homeowners can manage most smart home automation using their voice, including lighting control, security, faucets, toilets and showering systems. Brands like Delta and Kohler now offer voice-controlled fixtures that offer the perfect assist when multitasking is needed.

Brands like Basalte, Lutron, TruFig and Vittrea have design-forward keypad offerings.

Innovative mounting solutions from companies like Wall-Smart enable tablets, security cameras and wireless networking gear to be concealed in walls, ceilings, counters—or virtually anywhere.

“We’ve been able to recess smart devices like voice assistants in the toughest of surfaces, like a stone backsplash, for instance, making it a seamless part of the kitchen and bath design,” says Greg Montgomery, of TYM Home Technology Design.

Virtual Showrooms
Many brands now have showrooms and experience centers that offer virtual tours that are easy to access and full of inspiration. Most are available by appointment only and hosted by someone skilled in design and tech, who can easily translate both languages.

Virtual showrooms can also help connect design-build and tech integration pros and are an excellent source of referrals. Take a look online for Lutron, Crestron, Savant, Control4, and if you haven’t seen it, the Seasonal Living Virtual Designer Showhouse is also a fabulous source of inspiration.

Working together with design/build partners and armed with knowledge, integrators can create high design and functional spaces that deliver a new level of luxury.


Looking for a technology integrator? The Home Technology Association (HTA) has an Integrator Finder as well as a Technology Budget Calculator that helps identify a starting point and price range for smart home projects that design-build pros and their clientele are free to use, anytime.


A 25+ veteran of the residential tech & AV integration industries, Katye McGregor Bennett is the CEO of KMB Communications, a boutique communications firm that anchors the intersection of technology + design by connecting brands, buyers, and prospective audiences through creating compelling content and conversation that elevates and amplifies. In addition to co-hosting Design Uncut with Veronika Miller, Katye hosts two popular podcasts, Connecting Tech+ Design and AV Trade Talk. She is part of the DesignHounds influencer group and also serves on the NAHB Custom Technology Work Group, is a strategic advisor in the CEDIA, HTA, and AVIXA communities, frequent contributor to Connected Design and founder of the AV Yoga group.