Once upon a time, the only technology people wanted in their bedrooms was a simple nightlight and an alarm clock. Times have dramatically changed. Today's upscale homebuyers demand more technology in the bedroom than practically any other room in the home. In fact, those homebuyers refer to a 'master suite' which includes a large closet and a bathroom, not just a bedroom.

With a press of a button homeowners want to dim or illuminate the entire house from their master suites. They want to listen to music through in-wall speakers in the bedroom as their spouses listen to different music in the adjacent bathroom while lounging in the bathtub. They want to monitor the front of the house through a specified channel on their flush-mounted flat-panel TV. Meanwhile, they don't want to see any equipment if at all possible.

In fact, the master suite has become less of a traditional bedroom and more of a wing off the side of houses, says Jason Jesperson, president of Muskegon, Mich.-based integrator Premier Audio & Images. Jesperson has worked with many builders on many master suites. One such installation earned silver honors for 'Best Master Suite' in Electronic House magazine's 2006 Best Homes of the Year issue (Electronic House is a sister publication of TecHome Builder.)

SWEET INSTALLATION

Premier worked on the master suite honored by Electronic House with Grand Rapids, Mich.-based builder Shurlow Custom Homes. It's a 5,000-squarefoot home in Grand Rapids with a 320-square-foot master suite. During the building process, says Jesperson, the homeowners placed an emphasis on the bedroom area. "They really wanted their master suite to feel like a retreat," he says.

Music was a high priority. A whole-house audio system is controlled in the bedroom via in-wall keypads and a portable touchpanel. The homeowners can switch between MP3 files on a music server, a CD changer, an XM Satellite Radio tuner and AM/FM tuners. One homeowner isn't limited to what the other is listening to, says Jesperson. Even though the speakers in the bedroom and the ones in the adjacent bathroom are tied to the same music system, they don't have to play the same song.

Choice is a big priority for many master suite clients, says Jesperson. With this particular couple, the man wanted to be able to watch TV while the woman reads, he explains.

"We provided wireless headphones which can sit on a charging stand by the bed. By picking up the touchpanel, which is also wireless, he can turn off the room speakers and turn on the headphones while she reads in silence. We also provided a his and her reading light that can be adjusted with a focused spotlight."

The ability to customize master suite technology is made easier when builders and integrators work together and communicate early in the process, says Jesperson. He says the first step for a builder is finding a good integration company -- one it can trust. Signs that an integration company is a good candidate for working with builders, according to Jesperson, include 1. It's local to them; 2. It has been in business for quite a while; 3. It can provide references; 4. It carries good equipment for providing central lighting control systems and central control systems (such as Crestron or AMX).

Once builders have chosen an integrator "They should gather information needed from clients and set the budgets so that everyone has enough time to complete their tasks without rush or delays," says Jesperson.

BEHIND THE TV

One of the more striking aspects of the Grand Rapids home integration is the 42-inch Panasonic plasma TV flush-mounted above the gas fireplace. Jesperson says it looks completely natural, and it does, but getting it that way wasn't easy.

Electronics flush-mounted inside walls need a means of venting heat. This is something the builder should consider during the building process, according to Jesperson. "The builder and cabinet designer must make pathways for heat to escape and for fresh air to enter," he says. "The more planning that can be done in the front, the better the project will turn out in the end. The cooler the electronics run, the longer they will run. When people want to hide electronics they usually enclose them and that means they need to vent them."

In the case of this 42-inch flat-panel, however, Jesperson had to get creative. "To build it in above a see-through two-way fireplace we had to create an insulated vented box to build it into and vented it to a lower kitchenette space that was below the TVwith a motorized fan," he says. "We used the same type of vent piping they use for bathroomfans. The TV could then be trimmed out in thefront so it looks like a picture -- there's no gap at all. With the ventilated box behind the TV we were able to keep the temperature low allowing itto have a longer life."

Jesperson adds that Premier did have some valuable interaction with Shurlow Custom Homes during the integration of the Grand Rapids home. "They had their own custom cabinet builder onsite. We worked with him," says Jesperson. "Most of the electronics had been purchased already and was being tested in our shop so we were able to give the exact dimensions to the cabinetmaker. We provided input on how to trim the equipment out and still provide a pathway for service." That kind of interaction between builders and integrators goes a long way, according to Jesperson.

ULTRA-ROOM SERVICE

The ability to control all aspectsof the home seems to be at the center of many master suite integrations. Many homebuyers might not appreciate the degree to which they can control their homes from their bedrooms and builders can play a role in making them aware -- thus selling upgrades. By discussing control possibilities with homebuyers early in the process, builders can factor in the necessary infrastructure so all the technology can be included and little of it actually has to be seen.

In the Grand Rapids master suite just about the only technology that is visible are the many touchscreen controllers. The owners can activate and control everything from any of the control stations in the master suite -- but most of the actual components are situated in an equipment rack in the walkout basement.

Jesperson explains that the homebuyers like to be able to check a security surveillance camera, check temperatures throughout the house and adjust multiple thermostats from the bedroom. The ability to provide that convenience is made easier when the builder provides for an expanded structured wiring system upon building the house, he maintains.

"Wires from a security system, for instance, can be placed and patched with cables to any room in the house including the master suite where the TV in the bedroom becomes the monitor for video cameras," according to Jesperson.

Lighting control is another highly demanded technology in the master suite. The space issue is relevant here for a couple of reasons. For one, bedrooms require a degree of lighting control that can lead to a lot of switches and too much wall clutter for many homeowners' tastes. Integrators can reduce the number of switches on the walls with lighting control.

Also, builders should factor in a space in the home to house all the lighting boxes, perhaps in the basement, to facilitate the installation, says Jesperson.

"With the bedroom there are usually groups of lights that would normally take up a lot of wall space with ordinary switches," says Jesperson. "Using a lighting control system we can reduce what's needed. It all fits in a one-gang box. They just push one button to select their scenes. These buttons are engraved so there's no confusion at all, instead of it being a matter of flicking switches. It reduces wall clutter and it's easier to use."

Jesperson goes on to explain the builder's role in lighting control. "During budget phase builders should help the clients determine whether they want to add a centralized lighting control system to their homes. By planning ahead, we can put all the boxes in the mechanical room, further reducing wall clutter."

Space is usually a concern in the master suite, adds Jesperson. Integrators can often get the job done, even without the builders' cooperation, with creative retrofitting. It's a lot easier, however, if the builder, the integrator and the homebuyer are on the same page during the early stages.

"Usually space is allocated within the master closet or in cabinetry or if there is going to be built-ins by the bed we can accommodate it," says Jesperson. Builders, by discussing the technology demands with the integrator during construction, can make space issues less of a challenge.

Creativity In the Bedroom Suite

The master suite hosts some innovative technology these days. Jason Jesperson, president of Muskegon, Mich.-based integrator Premier Audio & Images, shares some of the more intriguing features homebuyers want in their bedroom/bathroom areas.

Heated Towel Racks -- Not only does this preheat the towel so it'll be nice and warm when the person gets out of the shower, it also has a more practical purpose. "It dries it up faster to shed the moisture and mildew."

Bathroom Fan Timers -- "With our control systems we also control bath fans. We can ensure that the humidity level doesn't rise above a level that will damage the drywall. We can keep the fan running for a predetermined time."

Bathroom Speakers -- Since many of these homebuyers view their bedroom suites as retreats, many want to be able to relax in the bath with music fed by a multiroom audio system. "Most of the time speakers in the bathroom are blended right into the ceiling."

Lighting Scenes -- Flicking light switches is old fashioned -- at least for the folks who build master suites. Jesperson says lighting control systems feature simple to operate and easy to select lighting scenes. A 'good night' scene would likely turn all the lights in the entire house off. A 'morning' scene would likely turn the lights in the bathroom on, among other things. This scene might also turn on a heated tile floor in the bathroom and set the thermostats throughout the house.

Security Monitoring -- It's common for homeowners to want to monitor a surveillance camera on a selected TV channel in the bedroom. The homeowners' surveillance doesn't have to be done live and it doesn't have to be done from the bedroom, however, says Jesperson. "You can also look back at all the recordings of the events that have happened. If the house is enabled with high-speed Internet, you can look at the house remotely, too."

Illuminated Footsteps -- Rolling out of bed in the middle of the night, most people aren't thinking about activating their lighting control system. Jesperson, however, says pressure sensors can be added under carpets to trigger a well-lit pathway to the toilet. "The amount of light would change based on the time of night. If the master suite has hardwood floors or tiles we would use a motion sensor for when they break the pathway."