TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
In The Lite of Merrill recently won a 2022 Badger Craftsman Award for Best Home Technology from the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA). The WBA recognizes top construction projects throughout the state. This was the first year for the next category recognizing home technology and smart homes.
“We are so honored to have won the prestigious 2022 Badger Craftsman Award for Best Smart Home!” a press release from In The Lite said. The award is a big deal because winners are “chosen from projects completed all across the state of Wisconsin,” it said. The home showcased and for which the award was won was a local home.
Members of the WBA submit projects in various categories, such as New Construction, Remodels, Interior Design, Smart Home, etc., sharing photos of the project, blueprints, and a description of the project. “The top projects are then voted on to determine the winner,” said Sasha Everett, In The Lite Communication Director.
“Most of the award winners are from larger cities in the southern portion of the state. We are truly proud to represent central and northern Wisconsin and showcase the amazing building projects happening here,” said Daniel Langhoff, co-owner of In The Lite.
“We are honored to have won the first ever Badger Craftsman Award for this category and are excited that more people are seeing the amazing possibilities smart home technology provides,”said Brittney Petroske, Home Automation Specialist. “No matter the size of your project, adding smart home technology is a great addition.”
Daniel Langhoff, Brittney Petroske, and Sasha Everett attended the Celebration of Housing event on June 22, 2022, in Spring Green, Wis., to accept the award.
The description of the award-winning project on the WBA website reads:
“Located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, this is an all-inclusive smart home. This project is a 12,347 square foot residential home with an attached office space. The home includes an indoor pool, hot tub, sunken bar, elevator, master suite, dog grooming room, bed and breakfast, seven bathrooms, and two garages. There are numerous smart systems including a smart lighting system, automated shades, a smart security system including indoor and outdoor security cameras, smart thermostats, and a smart sound system. In addition, we also found several unique applications. Both the owner’s indoor hot tub and outdoor fountain are able to be turned on/off via an app or keypad in the home. All smart elements including the lighting, shades, speakers, security cameras, and thermostats are connected with the Google and Alexa assistants. This allows each individual component to be voice controlled or several devices at once with a large variety of integrated “scenes.” In total, there are more than 250 smart devices incorporated in the home including 154 lighting devices (switches, dimmers, wall and tabletop keypads), 31 automated shades, 6 security cameras, 4 thermostats, 11 smoke detectors, 20 speakers, 5 Google speakers, 3 smart displays, 17 smart televisions, and 8 routers. This project truly showcases what smart home technology can do as it is integrated into every part of this home. Each device works together to create a convenient, efficient, secure, and entertaining Northwoods retreat.
“We are so honored that our work was recognized on a statewide level and that we could represent the amazing projects being completed right here in north central Wisconsin,” the release from In The Lite said.
Nomination for international Lutron Excellence Award
In The Lite’s smart home was also nominated for an international Lutron Excellence Award. The Lutron Excellence Awards program recognizes the world’s best projects using Lutron lighting and shading control solutions. This award is given out for excellence in home automation, specifically home automation in lighting and shades. To be considered, In The Lite submitted a five-minute video, photos, and a detailed written description of the project. “We are very honored to represent Merrill, Wis., on an international stage!” Everett said. The winners of the international Lutron Excellence Award will be notified later this year.
In The Lite is a full-service electrical contractor specializing in residential and commercial projects, standby generators, solar, and smart home systems, serving north central Wisconsin for more than 20 years. www.inthelitellc.com