Seeking Sanctuary
Techteriors is Pouncing on an Emerging Market
Transition of space in today's homes by creating individual spaces without sharp divisions results in function and décor that overlap to create comfort and entertainment. Since such patters also promote more open spaces within the home, families enjoy a clearer line of sight and ease of communication. This is part of a trend in which the home goes beyond the traditional and becomes a sanctuary.
In our continuing series on trends in the home, we examine how a home's indoor swimming pool can offer such overlapping functions. By using a creative spectrum of design and technology, the pool goes a step beyond sports and becomes the focus of entertainment for family, friends and even business associates.
As a family that loves to swim, Ron and Christine of New Berlin realized to their dismay that whenever they went to a major theme park, what their children enjoyed most were the swimming activities. "It's like we spent a lot of money going to Disney World just to enjoy the swimming pool," said Ron.
Four Seasons Sunrooms, in New Berlin, designed and built an indoor swimming pool as the ideal solution for creating a sanctuary in their home. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, now they can use the pool to bring their family and friends together. It not only provides a way to keep an eye on the children, but it also gives the children a fun place to spend time with their friends. "When the kids have friends over, they can relax, watch TV or swim laps all in the pool area," said Christine. "It's part of the house, but it's also a getaway." What's more, as a regional account executive for his company, Ron also uses the pool and the surrounding space for business meeting and to entertain clients.
Chris Egner, C.R., lead designer for Four Seasons Sunrooms, a design and remodeling center in New Berlin, guided Ron and Christine through the planning and construction of a 62-ft.-by-48-ft. extended space in their home that incorporates a number of functions. The 38-ft-by-16-ft. pool is the centerpiece. The large structure complements the home's colonial architectural design rather than appears like a sports club in their backyard.
The following areas are also included in the new addition. A hot tub is set above ground in a spacious alcove off the pool. A dinette comes off the kitchen, accessible through the glass leads into a courtyard. From there, another glass door leads into a courtyard. Serving as a buffer zone between the house and the pool, the mudroom, entered from another part of the kitchen, as well as from the garage, has plenty of closet and storage space.
"And we built an office for Ron on one end of the pool so that he can work in the area and be close to the kids rather than be locked away in a room somewhere," said Egner. A closed-circuit TV monitors the pool and the office has its own temperature control. Nearby, is a bathroom with a shower. One long counter includes a refrigerator and another counter ahs storage space underneath for the removable hot tub cover. The sound system for the pool area is placed in a cabinet.
Massive glass doors and windows in the pool area open into the backyard. Three big skylights pour in natural light from the post and beam cathedral ceiling. The special material used in the ceiling prevents moisture condensation. Throughout the area, there is a heavy reliance on advanced technology. The climate control system that also eliminates the chlorine odor, the automatic pool cover, lighting and sound system, security system, as well as a 60-in. high-definition television mounted on one wall, can be accessed from an all-wet touch pad.
As is the case with many upscale homes that are turned into sanctuaries, homeowners can control a complex network of technology from a single source. A touch screen or a hand held remote controls everything. "People use technology to improve their lifestyle at home," said Mike Phillips, a principal owner of Techteriors, a Mequon based electronic systems integration firm.
Multi-set television arrangements create a sports paradise by playing scores of different Sunday games at the same time; flat-paneled or plasma television sets are installed behind artwork, or built into specially-designed cabinets; theatre rooms with wide screens, surround sound and motorized leather recliners add to the joy of watching movies at home; a network of integrated electronics set to monitor home security can be accessed by owners from any part of the world; computer networks can also be set up to access the Internet from all the rooms; sophisticated telephone systems can provide an intercom between all the phones; and the list goes on.
By using technology to control the lighting system, for instance, the owner can vary the intensity and the mood throughout the home. In the formal dining room, lights can be programmed to the dim mode while dining and to the bright mode while setting up or cleaning. In another home, lights indoors are made to turn on when opening the garage door, or the front door. "Another customer has integrated the smoke alarm with the lighting system," said Phillips, "so that when the smoke alarm goes off at two in the morning, the lights automatically turn on to help you leave the house."
From installing a simple music system in the great room to designing a space-age home theatre, Techteriors makes its recommendations by first considering the homeowner's lifestyle.
At the same time, Phillips knows that many homeowners prefer to have the electronic components out of sight to maintain the home's aesthetics. "It's not like the college kids who like to have a mountain of amplifiers, gears, buttons and knobs," he said. "Most of our customers prefer not to see any of that – they want it out of sight. Some call it the Jetsons look – it's technology, but it's invisible."
Since a single control system can provide access to all the home's electronics, a touch screen is placed in the most convenient location, usually on the kitchen counter. From there, the homeowner can regulate a range of activities from selecting music for individual rooms—to setting alarms and rolling back pool covers. Simple touch-panel controls can also be provided in each individual room.
What people do not want, however, are complicated systems, stressed Phillips. "Most people are not engineers and they don't want to learn to operate six different interface controls," he said. "They want a very simple control that is graphical, because otherwise people don't use it."
For more information on seeking sanctuary in your home, call Four Seasons Sunrooms, in New Berlin, at 262/797-8818, or visit their website, www.sunroomswis.com and Techteriors at 262/243-9800.
from Exclusively Yours Magazine