What is an "Integrator?" Why does it matter? Can anyone do it? We set out to answer these questions... and documented the journey. This film helps tell the story of our industry in a way that’s never been done before. If you’re thinking about the best technology integration for your home, for a client or project, or even as a new career, this film is for you.

As you enter this luxury mountain villa nestled in the mountains of Big Sky, Montana, you notice that everything complements each other. There isn’t a single talking point. The talking point is the home itself. We made that our goal, to integrate so seamlessly into the environment that it’s like we’re not even there. To become part of the home, just as the wood and steel, the stone and glass.

We increasingly hear more about the need for a balance between tech and design, particularly in luxury installs. SAV Digital Environments has been well ahead of that curve, with our showroom that exemplifies the concept of tech enhancing design, including a portion of it that doubles as an art gallery.

The fusion of interior design and technology can create amazing spaces that showcase not only the home but the beauty of technology. SAV Digital Environments collaborated with Montana Expressions Interior Design and Journey & Sons Contractors to create a home theater and lounge space for the homeowners that accomplished all of the above.

What if you could bring that outdoor light indoors? Outdoors, natural sunlight is central to the Montana experience. In the winter, we are drawn to the slopes for those bright “bluebird” ski days when the sun reflects off the fresh powder and groomed runs. The spring brings longer days as we fish early in the morning or into the evening. In the summer, the kids are still outside playing as the sunlight finally disappears after 10pm. By fall, the shorter days bring cooler hiking temperatures and light illuminates the earthy hues of the foliage.

Not that long ago, the term “audio-video” or “AV” meant just that: audio and video. Today, the AV industry has evolved into something much bigger: smart homes with entertainment, wellness and sustainability features. In Montana, SAV Digital Environments and owner Cory Reistad are at the forefront of that movement.

“A smart home is only as good as its network, and if the network is weak, everything else fails.” So says Derek Flikkema, Sr. Technology Advisor at SAV. “No matter how many devices are connected to the internet; no matter how much bandwidth is being consumed; no matter how much content is being streamed to displays and speakers — the networking backbone of this house handles it all without a hitch.”

Inquisitive about the latest in summer tech trends, Aaron Kampfe of Western Home Journal reached out to SAV Digital Environments for some expert insights. Recognizing the growing fascination with cutting-edge technology for home environments, we were delighted to contribute a wealth of tips and recommendations to enhance the summer experience.

“Where we design has some of the world’s most spectacular views, and if you don’t capture them, you’ve missed the whole point,” says Sloan Bauer with Bayliss Architects. “Every space has a function. Lighting and shade control systems are integral in that. In these modern homes, that get control systems, you don’t set them up as a light switch — you set them up as a mood switch for how you want it... They’re integral in making those spaces more habitable and more enjoyable."

Designing and building a luxury home in Big Sky can be a multi-year process with hundreds of people participating in some capacity. A complete remodel of a home in this remote area of Montana may take even longer and require more planning and design than new construction. The masterminds behind this type of residence are the architect, interior designer, technology integrator, and builder who make countless decisions and oversee the multitudes of crew members.

Over the past 20 years, the concept of a “smart house” that knows when to turn your lights on and off, rolls window shades up and down at the sound of your voice, sends you a text if your front door is left open, and responds to remote commands from your phone, has become a relatively affordable reality — a far cry from portrayals in science-fiction and space-age cartoons.