2025 CE Pro Home of the Year Awards
An 1881 Revival
We’re so grateful to have received a couple more awards this year at CEDIA, a Gold and a Silver award from CE Pro’s Home of the Year awards. Our team was recognized with Gold for Best Before / After Retrofit Project, and Silver for Best Combo Design + Tech Project.
This project came with its fair share of engineering challenges, and we’re proud of how everyone pulled together to find solutions and see it through. It’s a real reminder of what can be accomplished when design, technology, and collaboration come together.
Project Overview
The renovation of Daniel E. Rouse’s 1881 Gothic I-House stands as a remarkable example of what’s possible when history is honored and innovation is embraced.
Thanks to the vision and dedication of Dan and Jodi Corbeille at Velocity, and the collaboration with experts like SAV Digital Environments, the Rouse House has been transformed into a home that bridges two centuries. It’s more than just a renovation—it’s a resurrection. The original brickwork and architectural character remain intact, while state-of-the-art technology and design bring new life to the space without compromising its soul.
From hidden speakers and recessed lighting to thoughtfully concealed tech infrastructure, the result is a home that feels timeless, functional, and deeply rooted in Bozeman’s legacy. This project reflects a belief that the best homes don’t just serve the present—they tell a story. And in this case, that story is one of resilience, reverence, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Project Challenges
There was quite a bit of remediation that needed to happen before the original buildings would be ready for human habitation again. Between the rubble foundation, weak bricks, and the gaps between the walls, the building was not structurally sound.
The main challenge here was the installation of new wiring & mounting structures in an old brick building - old brick crumbles easily, and it was important to be aware of as we began installing our products. TV back boxes allow for the articulated mounts to be fully concealed behind the TV, and the speakers were able to be hidden away in cabinets or recessed into the ceiling. We also had to ensure that the aesthetic of all devices was aligned with the rest of the design.
Despite significant engineering challenges, each team on the project modeled effective communication and tight tolerances, resulting in a resounding success across the board.