Simplifying Sophistication
Interdisciplinary System Design with SAV Digital Environments
SAV Digital Environments has been on the cutting edge of audio-visual and lighting technology for decades. An early proponent of Human-Centric Lighting (HCL), their solutions have crossed boundaries between engineering and lighting design with an interdisciplinary focus on inhabitant wellness. While building trends continue to evolve and specialties overlap, SAV is innovating in a new frontier: energy management systems design. An operation that started with one guy in a service van has grown into an interstate, international, and interdisciplinary solutions firm with one eye on the future and one eye tracking the past.
A Journey of Sound, Light, and Power
Cory Reistad, president and founder of SAV, has walked every step of SAV’s journey and knows where they’re going based on where they’ve been. “When I started, we were the sound guys. We specialized in residential AV installations,” remembers Cory. He summarizes the company’s growth explaining how amplifying a single source into multiple rooms was once revolutionary, and then the technology to broadcast multiple sources in various rooms emerged. Fast-forward to where SAV is now, and Cory says that it’s nothing short of a transformation. “That portion of our services is a small part of what we do today. Sound systems are just the beginning in the context of intelligent lighting systems, motorized window treatments, private theaters, network, control, and power management systems. A residential project is now a completely integrated effort that touches every single part of a client’s home.” With humble beginnings, SAV is now an innovative luxury technology integrator, bringing cutting-edge technology solutions to discerning clients in both residential and commercial settings.
The evolution of SAV and the industry as a whole has been both organic and intentional. When a single aspect of life is improved by a piece of equipment, it begs the question of how much further the equipment can be pushed to make a bigger impact. “Take for instance,” says Cory, “the light fixture. What used to be a passive device is now an intricate unit with its own microprocessor. A once-simple fixture is now part of an input-output feedback system that can modulate and accommodate different color temperatures, settings, and efficiency benchmarks. Progress in our industry has happened at such a rapid pace, and SAV has scaled up alongside it.”
Organic & Intentional Collaboration
When AV solutions were the apex of the industry, SAV was a small firm employing leaders in the field. Now that SAV has expanded its offerings to include lighting, energy management, automated window treatments, network services, security and surveillance, and more, the team has grown too. “We have 100 employees who make up our various divisions. We’ve grown enough to develop subject matter experts in each division. Because of our niche in emerging tech, we attract new young recruits with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. By the same token, we’ve retained a lot of tenured employees who’ve grown up with us. We have a great amount of diversity on our team, both in skillsets and in life experience,” says Cory.
And the diversity of the team — headquartered in Bozeman and Big Sky, extending through Jackson, South Florida and the West Indies — speaks to the next avenue of development where SAV is pushing boundaries. Resort towns in Montana are experiencing unprecedented growth with real estate development and luxury building trades on the rise. New technologies across all trades are finding fertile ground during this growth spurt, but challenges arise in tandem. Cory acknowledges the difficulties young workers face in finding affordable housing, and he notes SAV’s commitment to creating a work environment to help their employees meet that challenge. “This is a magnificent place where so many young people are drawn. It’s our responsibility to pay enough so that people can stay and work and lead fulfilling lives.”
Holistic, Simplistic, & Tailored
The second challenge that Cory notes is also a launchpad for the industry’s newest frontier. Luxury building trades, especially out West, are often servicing additional residences for their clients. Because these homes are not primary residences, the structure itself, and the systems within it, sit unused for much of the year. SAV has taken a lead role in offering solutions for what can otherwise pose potential challenges. “What happens in a home when the owner is not there for two to three months? Does this house need to run at full capacity all the time? If not, how do we bring this home to a dormant state?” Cory says that when they started asking these questions, it coincided with the development of the North 3rd Residences in Bozeman.
“North 3rd was a flagship project,” he says. “With solar capabilities and full battery backup storage, we were able to design and implement a truly smart power system at an attainable level. Being able to control power down to an individual outlet is a game-changer. It’s the first of its kind in these 2,600-square-foot units in terms of affordability and efficiency.” Though this technology has been available to high-end luxury homes with top-tier budgets, the North 3rd Residences project has demonstrated that this level of sustainability is feasible for the entire spectrum of SAV’s clients.
Not only was this project an accomplishment of scale, but it also demonstrates the possibilities for integration that ultimately give the owners more control. Nels Tate, Technology Sales Advisor, says, “This project allowed us to integrate advanced power management and backup systems that give homeowners true control over their energy use. By taking a holistic approach – with whole-home battery backup and smart breakers that provide real-time power monitoring and intelligent load shedding during outages – we’ve created a resilient, intuitive living experience. Every element is seamlessly tied into the home automation system, unifying the technology into one cohesive, user-friendly platform.”
SAV partnered with Minarik Architecture on the North 3rd Residences, adding another level of sophistication and luxury to the units. “Doug Minarik has a minimalist aesthetic and an eye for scale that aligns with our vision for technology systems,” says Cory. “He’s very talented and is an excellent collaborator on projects large and small.” While this project is on the smaller side of SAV’s clientele spectrum, Cory says it’s no less of a priority to deliver excellence. “Whether we’re working on a giant commercial campus like The Montage Hotel or installing a discrete TV system in a single room, we have an unyielding commitment to the client experience. That’s our value proposition.”
Eye on the Future, Eye on the Past
As SAV nears 30 years in business, they’ve amassed decades of success stories and evolved along with the industry itself. Energy management systems design refers to the strategic planning and integration of various smart home components to create a seamless, efficient, and future-proof experience. In addition to designing and installing these systems, SAV also provides ongoing maintenance and support to ensure that they perform optimally for years to come. Scott Abel, VP of Marketing & Creative Direction, speaks to this integral arm of SAV’s team. “Many believe that home technology becomes obsolete within a few short years, much like their personal devices. But that’s a misconception. While innovation moves rapidly, the systems we integrate are designed with longevity in mind, often lasting the lifetime of a home. Unlike cell phones, which are upgraded frequently, home technology is built to evolve, adapt, and remain a lasting part of everyday life,” he says.
Cory also reflects on the years of experience in SAV’s specialty niche. “We’re constantly looking toward the future while keeping an eye on the past. Clients want to flip a switch and have the lights come on, and we will continue to provide that simplicity no matter how many processes are happening behind the scenes. There will always be new and emerging tech — the options are seemingly infinite. But no matter what, our goal remains the same. We will enhance clients’ lives through simplifying their technology, and we will continue to optimize the systems not just for today but for the lifetime of the home.”
By Sara Hericson for Western Home Journal
Photography by Blair Speed
