Residential Technology Case Study
Luxury Smart Home & Lighting Control Retrofit in Bratenahl, Ohio
Xtend Technologies was selected to modernize and completely retrofit the technology infrastructure of a large estate residence located in Bratenahl, Ohio. .
Project Overview
This extensive project focused on replacing an aging legacy lighting control system while integrating a new generation smart home automation platform capable of managing lighting, climate, entertainment, networking, and future smart home expansion.
The homeowners wanted to preserve the elegance and functionality of the original home while dramatically improving reliability, usability, and long-term supportability of the technology systems throughout the property.
The project included:
- Full Lutron HomeWorks QSX lighting control retrofit
- Savant whole-home automation system
- 19-zone smart climate control integration
- Enterprise-grade Ubiquiti networking and Wi-Fi
- Multi-room distributed audio
- Theater system upgrades
- Equipment rack modernization
- Remote monitoring and proactive system management
Replacing an Aging Lighting Control System
One of the largest components of this project was the complete replacement of the estate’s existing lighting control infrastructure with the latest Lutron HomeWorks QSX panelized lighting system.
Due to the size, age, and complexity of the original system, the retrofit required extensive planning and coordination.
The scope included:
✔ Replacement of legacy lighting processors
✔ New panelized dimming and switching infrastructure
✔ Replacement of outdated mechanical room equipment
✔ Integration of wireless and wired lighting devices
✔ Reuse of existing functional keypads where possible
✔ Expanded system reliability and future scalability
Xtend Technologies worked carefully to modernize the system while preserving the aesthetics and functionality the homeowners were accustomed to.
Advanced Lutron HomeWorks QSX Integration
The new Lutron HomeWorks QSX system now provides advanced control of:
- Architectural lighting
- Scene control
- Automated lighting adjustments
- Future shade integration capabilities
- System-wide lighting reliability
The installation included multiple centralized lighting control panels, dimming modules, switching modules, motor control modules, repeaters, processors, and intelligent power distribution systems.
The result is a significantly more stable and responsive lighting platform capable of supporting the estate for many years to come.
Whole-Home Savant Automation
To unify the home’s technology systems, Xtend Technologies implemented a Savant smart home automation platform throughout the residence.
The Savant system was designed to provide centralized control of:
✔ Lighting
✔ Climate
✔ Distributed audio
✔ Theater systems
✔ Television control
✔ Future security integration
✔ Door locks and surveillance compatibility
✔ Smart scenes and automation routines
The homeowners now enjoy a dramatically simplified user experience through intuitive touchscreens, mobile devices, and handheld remotes.
19-Zone Climate Control Integration
A key component of the retrofit included replacing and integrating climate control across the estate using 19 independent Savant smart thermostats.
This allows the homeowners to:
- Independently control comfort across multiple areas of the property
- Create climate schedules and automation scenes
- Monitor and manage HVAC remotely
- Improve overall comfort and efficiency
The climate system was fully integrated into the Savant automation ecosystem for seamless operation alongside lighting and entertainment controls.
Multi-Room Audio & Entertainment
The residence also received a major upgrade to its distributed audio capabilities.
The system included:
- 21 independent audio zones
- Multi-room music streaming
- Distributed AV control
- Centralized amplification and switching
- Integrated Savant music management
The homeowners can now enjoy synchronized or independent audio experiences throughout the home with simple control from touch panels, remotes, or mobile devices.
Home Theater Enhancements
The estate’s theater space also received a significant upgrade featuring a premium Stewart Filmscreen projection screen system with StudioTek 130 G4 material.
The theater improvements included:
- New reference-grade fixed-frame projection screen
- Projector recalibration and optimization
- Enhanced HDR performance
- Improved image brightness and uniformity
- Refined cinematic viewing experience
This upgrade elevated the theater environment while maintaining the elegance of the existing space.
Enterprise-Grade Networking & Wi-Fi
Reliable networking was critical to supporting the extensive smart home ecosystem.
Xtend Technologies designed and deployed a commercial-grade Ubiquiti networking infrastructure that included:
- Enterprise security gateway
- Managed PoE network switches
- Indoor Wi-Fi 6 access points
- Outdoor wireless access points
- Centralized network management
- Remote monitoring capabilities
The new network infrastructure now provides reliable connectivity throughout both the interior and exterior areas of the property.
Centralized Equipment & Power Management
The system infrastructure was centralized into dedicated equipment locations designed for reliability, organization, and future expansion.
The project included:
✔ Savant Pro Host system controller
✔ Centralized AV distribution
✔ Professional-grade amplification
✔ Intelligent power conditioning
✔ Battery backup systems
✔ Remote management and monitoring
This approach ensures cleaner installations, simplified serviceability, and long-term system stability.
Remote Monitoring & Proactive Support
To help maintain long-term reliability, the system was designed with advanced remote monitoring and management capabilities.
Features included:
- Remote troubleshooting
- Automated equipment rebooting
- Network monitoring
- Power management
- Proactive diagnostics
This allows Xtend Technologies to provide faster support and minimize downtime whenever service is needed.
The Result
This Bratenahl estate retrofit successfully transformed an aging technology environment into a modern, high-performance smart home platform.
The completed project delivered:
✔ Modernized lighting control infrastructure
✔ Simplified whole-home automation
✔ Reliable climate management
✔ Enhanced entertainment experiences
✔ Robust networking and Wi-Fi coverage
✔ Future-ready technology infrastructure
Most importantly, the homeowners now enjoy a system that feels effortless, reliable, and elegant throughout the entire property.
Technologies Featured
- Lutron HomeWorks QSX
- Savant Home Automation
- Savant Climate Control
- Ubiquiti Networking & Wi-Fi
- Stewart Filmscreen
- WattBox Power Management
- Savant Distributed Audio
- Ubiquiti Wi-Fi 6 Infrastructure
Looking to Modernize Your Luxury Home?
Whether you are replacing an aging smart home system, upgrading lighting control, or building a fully integrated automation platform, Xtend Technologies specializes in luxury smart home retrofits throughout Northeast Ohio.
Schedule a Consultation
Our team designs and integrates luxury smart home systems, lighting control, networking, climate control, and entertainment solutions tailored to your property and lifestyle.
Serving Bratenahl & Northeast Ohio
Xtend Technologies provides luxury smart home integration services throughout:
Bratenahl • Hunting Valley • Gates Mills • Pepper Pike • Moreland Hills • Chagrin Falls • Hudson • Beachwood • Solon • Westlake • Rocky River • Avon Lake • and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities.
