When you think about building a luxury home, your mind probably jumps to architectural details, fine finishes, and beautiful materials. But today, what truly defines a high-performance home goes far beyond what you see—it’s also about what you hear, how you experience comfort and convenience, and how seamlessly technology integrates into your lifestyle.
That’s where low-voltage contractors—specialists in audio, video, networking, lighting, and automation—come in. Partnering with an experienced low-voltage professional early in the design and build process ensures your home not only looks extraordinary but functions effortlessly in every modern sense.
Seamless Integration Starts Early
The best time to think about smart home systems is during design and construction, not after. Bringing a technology partner into the project early allows your builder, architect, and low-voltage team to collaborate on layout, wiring infrastructure, and component placement. This avoids costly retrofits and ensures the technology enhances your home’s design rather than disrupting it.
At Orren Pickell Building Group, we coordinate closely with trusted partners like EOC Audio to integrate sophisticated systems—from distributed audio and home theaters to outdoor entertainment and automated lighting—into your home’s structure and finishes from day one.
Outdoor Living, Reimagined
One of the fastest-growing areas in home design today is outdoor living, and technology plays a major role in bringing these spaces to life. According to David Wexler, Senior Director of Sales, Marketing and Procurement at EOC Audio,
“The popularity of outdoor living has brought a new focus to outdoor audio, video and lighting. Increase the livable space of your property, invest in your family’s pleasure, and safety, you’ll become the envy of the block.”
Homeowners are transforming their patios, screened porches, and pool decks into fully connected extensions of their homes—places to relax, entertain, and unwind. As Wexler explains,
“When considering an outdoor space we look at balanced audio distribution, best placement for outdoor TVs, strong network connections for outdoor streaming and landscape lighting options that enhance the beauty and safety of the space.”
Another increasingly popular feature is motorized outdoor screens—automated retractable mesh systems that descend at the touch of a button to keep insects out while maintaining airflow and visibility. When paired with integrated lighting and distributed audio, these screens make it easy to enjoy your outdoor spaces comfortably at any time of day, extending the season and the square footage of your living space.
The Art and Science of Sound
Great outdoor (and indoor) audio isn’t just about adding speakers—it’s about sound design. As Wexler notes,
“Choosing the right speakers and then determining the best placement is the difference between enjoying single or multiple zones of music versus just blasting sound out to all the neighbors. Blending the speakers into the space is a key consideration for all of our designs.”
A skilled low-voltage partner uses acoustic modeling to design balanced, multi-zone audio systems that deliver full, rich sound where you want it—without disturbing those around you.
Home Theaters and Media Rooms
While outdoor entertainment is booming, home theaters and media rooms remain key features of luxury living. Today’s designs favor flexibility—spaces that deliver cinematic performance but also work for gaming, streaming, or family gatherings.
Low-voltage professionals manage every detail, from 4K/8K video distribution and surround sound to acoustic treatment and motorized projection screens that disappear when not in use. Integrated control systems allow homeowners to cue movies, dim lights, and adjust temperature with a single button or voice command.
Smart Homes Start with Smart Planning
A home’s digital foundation is as critical as its physical one. Low-voltage contractors ensure networks, Wi-Fi, and automation platforms are designed for strength, reliability, and scalability. By strategically placing routers, running conduit for future upgrades, and integrating systems for lighting, HVAC, and security, your home becomes intuitive—reacting to your habits, your schedule, and your lifestyle.
Collaboration Creates Better Homes
At Orren Pickell Building Group, we’ve seen firsthand that technology integration works best when it’s collaborative from the start. Low-voltage specialists bring technical expertise and creative problem-solving that allow your builder and designer to focus on aesthetics while ensuring performance, safety, and longevity.
By working together, we create homes that are both timeless and forward-thinking—where beauty meets innovation, and technology quietly enhances everyday living.
Building the Future of Connected Living
Whether it’s a smart lighting system that shifts with the sunset, a home theater that rivals the cinema, or an outdoor oasis with motorized insect screens and immersive sound, today’s best homes merge architecture, craftsmanship, and technology into one cohesive experience.
At Orren Pickell Building Group, we’re proud to partner with technology leaders like EOC Audio to bring these possibilities to life—ensuring that every home we build isn’t just stunning, but smart, secure, and ready for the future.
Interested in adding intelligent systems to your next custom home or renovation? Contact Orren Pickell Building Group to learn how our design-build team and low-voltage partners can help you create a connected home that enhances your lifestyle in every way.
