Creating A Smart Home Technology Masterpiece – River View Estate

How do you bring together centuries of history and the hottest technology in a state-of-the-art smart home? Aegis Technologies delivered whole-house automation to one of the most impressive properties in the Washington, DC region. The stunning River View Estate in Alexandria, a private home right next to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, is a 21st Century design marvel. Every detail is a stellar example of how Aegis offers seamless convenience and control to clients around the region. And guess what? River View is currently on the market–listed at $60 million. Here’s a look at this unique home and how the Aegis team worked to integrate next-level technology with the property’s timeless elegance.

A Rare Real Estate Gem

River View Estate in Fairfax County is truly a home like no other, located on one of the largest privately-owned parcels of George Washington’s original Mount Vernon Estate. The recently built manor home offers all the modern conveniences while embracing the property’s historic charm. The home offers fabulous views of the Potomac River, with eight terraces overlooking the water, along with stunning grounds, a guest house, and a carriage house.

The gorgeous 16-acre parcel was initially deeded to Washington’s private secretary Tobias Lear in the 18th Century. Current owners rebuilt the manor house, a four-year project involving the region’s top architects and builders. The owners preserved the property’s heritage by designing a Federal-style home while incorporating 21st Century amenities and cutting-edge smart home technology. That’s where Aegis Technologies comes in. Aegis’ role was to create a completely functional smart home for a global CEO, with a secure network, an impressive home theater, game room, and gym, along with automated interior and exterior lighting.

An Ecosystem of Parts

Aegis’ mission with the River View Project was to integrate technology with the home’s elegant design, covering everything from audio, visual, lighting, and shades. Another focus was on making smart home technology user-friendly, with every aspect easy to operate via touchpad or smartphone.

Combining complete system design with professional installation, Aegis created a “hidden” system involving thousands of feet of wiring. As the Aegis project manager described it, a “whole ecosystem of parts” works behind the scenes. The Aegis team built the home’s internet and wifi network, designed to meet the security needs of a top global CEO. The project connected the main house, guest house, and carriage house, with each building connected by fiber optic cable. That secure and robust network created the foundation for the entire project. Aegis specialists also provided the intricate programming needed to make the project user-friendly for the client.

The team located all of the smart TV and other “boxes” on designated racks in the basement, leaving living areas clutter-free. Instead, the focus is on sleek flatscreens, including Samsung Frame TVs designed to give screens the look of artwork when not in use. Clients control each screen via touchscreen and remote control.

The result is a home technology masterpiece, incorporating 21 flatscreens and nearly 50 audio zones into the main house while honoring its design and decor. The project also includes an 84-inch outdoor television, allowing clients to take advantage of the estate’s spectacular landscape. The manor’s library combines historic ambiance with a fully wired space where the family can work, play and stay connected. A remote system of a dozen high-tech speakers in the elegant conservatory offers the highest quality sound. One client-favorite feature is a keypad customized system that takes owners to designated “his and hers” audio and entertainment settings with just one touch.

Project managers achieved this stunning connectivity using a state-of-the-art Crestron routing system designed to integrate video, audio, USB, and control. Crestron systems, used for global businesses, universities, and other organizations, also offer solutions for the region’s most connected private homes.

A World-Class Home Theater

For the Aegis team, River View’s home theater is a standout, offering the ultimate in luxury and technology. Some of the most impressive features include:

• A cinema-quality JVC projector offers the highest image quality and user-friendly features.
• A top-of-the-line 130-inch Stewart screen.
• Bowers & Wilkins speakers and in-wall subwoofers for the perfect combination of sound and image.
• A Kaleidescape entertainment server system to store and play video, allowing access to any movie at any time.
• Luxurious Fortress home theater seating for an authentic movie theater experience.

Lighting and Shades: Complete Control

Another priority for the River View project was providing convenience and security benefits with programmable lighting and shades.

Made in the Shade

Architects designed River View Estate with tons of gorgeous windows to take full advantage of the property’s stellar water views. However, protecting valuable interior flooring and woodwork was a priority for the client. To prevent sun damage and offer maximum control, the Aegis team installed a smart shade system, with UV-resistant blinds timed to lower every day as the sun comes up. When the shades are retracted, they are undetectable, recessing into the wall above.

Let There Be Light

Creating a programmable interior and exterior lighting system at River View was an exciting project for the Aegis team. The project gives the client full control of the smart lighting network and taps into the security benefits that timed/remote-access lighting offers. Smart lighting features include the client-favorite “all-on” command, allowing homeowners to turn on selected interior and exterior lights with a single smartphone command. This unique project included outdoor lights on timers and linked to opening gates and garage doors for security and convenience. Aegis also created multiple custom-designed National Electrical Manufacturer Association (NEMA) enclosures for the estate’s lighting system.

A Team Effort

Bringing smart home technology to this unique property required responsiveness, discretion, and top-notch customer service–a perfect fit for the Aegis team. Aegis project managers spent time with the client to understand their needs. They worked closely with builders, architects, electricians, HVAC specialists, and other contractors to seamlessly integrate technology, design, and construction. The team also connected with interior designers as they worked to mesh technology with decor, routinely sharing plans and ideas–finding the best fit in every case.

It was indeed a privilege to work on a unique project like River View Estate. However, every high-end home in the DC region deserves a similar approach. Whether it’s a new build or a smart home retrofit, Aegis Technologies’ expertise and commitment to customer service are unparalleled. We can’t bring the waterfront views, but we offer the same level of dedication to creating the smart home of your dreams.