Newly donated residence includes an ELAN Entertainment & Control System that integrates the home’s security, HVAC, lighting, entertainment equipment, and motorized shades.
The Gary Sinise Foundation’s Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.) program designs and donates one-of-a-kind, specially adapted smart homes to severely wounded veterans and their families across the country. When the foundation heard about Gunnery Sergeant Guillermo Tejada’s heroism from a fellow R.I.S.E. home recipient, Travis Green, they decided to take action immediately.
While on foot patrol on his third tour in 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in Afghanistan, Gunnery Sergeant Guillermo Tejada stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), losing both of his legs and severely damaging his hip cavities. After countless surgeries and intense rehabilitation, Tejada now lives as a double amputee in San Antonio, Texas.
“Guillermo Tejada was referred to Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program by fellow specially adapted smart home recipient Travis Green,” explains Judy Otter, executive director of the Gary Sinise Foundation. “Once accepted into the program, the Tejada family chose a property in the same neighborhood as the Green family. We are very excited to see this come full circle and see members of the GSF family become neighbors and support each other in their daily life.”
Ease & Independence
The main goal when designing the Tejada family’s new home was to provide GySgt. Tejada with full independence by allowing him to use every inch of his home with ease. To do so, the Gary Sinise Foundation turned to their team of dedicated partners, including leading connected home solutions provider Core Brands and Texas Hill Country home system design and installation company, Sterling Home Technologies, to create a user-friendly smart home connected by an ELAN Entertainment and Control System. Sterling Home Technologies integrated all of the home’s technology – entertainment, motorized shades, security, lighting, and HVAC systems – into the ELAN system. GySgt Tejada can control all of these major systems with the touch of a few buttons on his iPad, smartphone or touch screen.
Entertainment for All
For entertainment, the Tejada family can enjoy multi-room audio powered by an Auriel MRC-6430 controller connected to eight Niles CM7HD in-ceiling speakers, two Niles DS7fx surround speakers and four Niles OS6.5 weatherproof outdoor cabinet speakers. To provide an extra boost of bass, a Sunfire HRS10 subwoofer was installed in the living room. Three TVs, ranging from 43” to 65”, were strategically placed throughout the home for comfort and convenience. Tejada’s family can now watch their favorite movies and shows on AppleTV in the living room, master bedroom or office.
Maximum Integration
Additionally, the ELAN system controls the Vantage Lighting system; two thermostats; six IP cameras for security; and Q-Motion motorized window shades with the touch of a button. To operate anything that’s tied to the system, the family can use two ELAN gTP7 in-wall touch panels, two ELAN gHR200 remotes, or the ELAN app on their mobile devices. To protect the entire technology system from power mishaps, two Panamax MR4315-Pro power conditioners and a Furman F1500-UPS battery backup were installed into the rack.
Structural Accommodations
Not only was the technology system designed specifically for Guillermo, but also the home’s physical design. “Each of our projects are unique and designed specifically for the veteran and their family, so to that extent there isn’t anything that is better than another home, it is 100 percent tailored to Guillermo’s injuries and the way the entire family will use the home,” Otter explains. “It is always our goal to create a home where the entire family – extended relatives and friends included – will enjoy the space for decades to come.”
To allow GySgt. Tejada to move freely around the home, hard surface floors were incorporated throughout the residence. Additionally, wall outlets were placed higher in some areas of the home, special appliances were installed, unique pull-down shelves are used in the upper kitchen cabinets and a large roll in shower with bench seat was designed for the master bathroom.
“The involvement of Core Brands, Sterling Home Technologies, and all of our supporters is constantly the biggest highlight in these projects,” Otter notes. “Being involved with such great Americans that share the same passion for our wounded heroes that we all have at the Gary Sinise Foundation is a regular reminder that we live in the greatest country on Earth.”
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