Introduction By: Laurenz Busch
Entry No. 2 By: Micah Drew
Notes from the Field looks beyond the polished final image to reveal the experimentation, problem-solving, and meticulous work that bring exceptional projects to life. In this issue, Payne Cole Designs traces a bespoke ski retreat from its first sketch through immersive architectural renderings, while SAV|Eyehear takes us inside the planning, assembly, and testing that make a home’s sophisticated technology seem effortless—and nearly invisible.
Entry No. 2: Invisible Necessities
“WITH THESE TWO TEAMS TOGETHER, WE BRING A LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN HIGH-END RESIDENTIAL WORK THAT’S HARD TO MATCH ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.”
When the Flathead Valley’s Eyehear Luxury Home Technology merged with Bozeman-based SAV Inc., each company brought 25 years of experience in the premier luxury technology industry to the table. The result?
“With these two teams together, we bring a level of experience and expertise in high-end residential work that’s hard to match anywhere in the state,” says SAV | Eyehear partner Matt Grant.
With a 22-person team in Whitefish and more than 100 working out of the company’s Bozeman headquarters, SAV | Eyehear has the depth and people to execute full-home automation projects—from lighting and shading to security and audiovisual systems—at the highest level.
1. Considering Technological Desires First
Getting SAV | Eyehear involved at the conceptual stage ensures technology is thoughtfully designed into the home from the start, allowing systems to be properly specified and installed while integrating seamlessly with the architecture and interiors.
2. Early Vision & Discovery with Senior Technology Advisors
Clients meet with a team of senior technology experts to review floor plans and explore their needs, preferences, and vision for how technology should function throughout the home. From there, the team thoughtfully plans each system and its controls, determining how and where they’ll integrate within each space.
3. Design-Driven Technology Planning
SAV | Eyehear’s team uses specialized software to render a 3D-engineered design to fully visualize each aspect of a home’s technology systems, including cabling and infrastructure. The team then works with the architect and the design-build team to secure approvals and make sure the integration is seamless.
“We think like designers and architects to understand how technology will impact those elements,” says Matt. “We want it to disappear into the design as much as possible and make sure that we’re upholding the design and the architectural vision for the project.”
“WE’LL RECEIVE THE PRODUCT, TEST IT, PERFORM QUALITY CONTROL, AND MAKE SURE IT MEETS OUR STANDARDS BEFORE IT’S CONSIDERED READY FOR A HIGH-END LUXURY INTEGRATION.”
4. Off-Site Production, Testing, and Quality Control
SAV | Eyehear operates a dedicated production facility where equipment is received, assembled, programmed, and thoroughly tested before it ever reaches a client’s home.
“We’ll receive the product, test it, perform quality control, and make sure it meets our standards before it’s considered ready for a high-end luxury integration,” says Vice President of Marketing Scott Abel.
Complete systems are built, programmed, and tested in the facility before installation, allowing the team to verify that every component works together as intended and arrives on site ready for a smooth, efficient installation.
5. White-Glove Installation
Because SAV | Eyehear is involved throughout the project, installation is the culmination of careful planning, coordination, programming, and testing. By the time the home reaches its finishing stages, the team is prepared to execute efficiently and precisely, installing final components with care and ensuring the technology integrates seamlessly into the finished space.
CRAFTED INTEGRATION: With over 25 years of experience, SAV | Eyehear has brought hundreds of homeowners through the technology integration process. From initial design to installation to on-going service, SAV | Eyehear is Montana’s premier technology integrator.
www.eyehear.us
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