News | Granko Consulting

Brian And Mika Kleinschmidt Win ‘rock The Block’ With Help From A Motorized Pergola

‘100 Day Dream Home’ stars Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt won season 2 of HGTV’s ‘Rock the Block’ thanks in part to a motorized pergola from StruXure and Somfy.

What if you gathered some of the best interior design stars on HGTV and made them compete to see if they could turn identical model homes into the best-selling house on the block? That’s the premise behind HGTV’s design reality competition ‘Rock the Block.’ Stars from across the HGTV universe paired up to see who could add the most property value to their home on a block in Georgia.

From the beginning, ‘100 Day Dream Home’ stars and married couple Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt were facing some stiff competition. The other three homes were being renovated and designed by Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent (‘Nate and Jeremiah: Save My House’), David Bromstad (‘My Lottery Dream Home’) and Tiffany Brooks (‘$50K Three Ways’), and Alison Victoria (‘Windy City Rehab’) and Mike Holmes (‘Holmes + Holmes’). With that much talent in the game, winning was certainly no guarantee.

Brian and Mika focused their efforts on creating a home that was both fun and functional, adding a huge hidden pantry, an upstairs laundry room, and even a bowling alley in the basement. Their focus on functionality and timeless design touches made the home work for families of all sizes.

But it was the outdoor space where they really brought the wow factor. The addition of a voice-controllable motorized pergola created a memorable outdoor space that could be used rain on shine. With just the press of a button on a handheld remote or using voice control, future homeowners will be able to open the pergola louvers to let in gorgeous sunshine or close the louvers to have it made in the shade.

The pergola by StruXure Outdoor and powered by Somfy truly transformed the modest backyard into a party space where families and friends can gather, rain or shine. In fact, during judging on the outdoor space, Brian and Mika closed the pergola with a simple voice command when it started to drizzle to protect guest judges Mike Pyle and Carmine Sabatella (‘Inside Out’) from the elements.

“I don’t think compromising on the exterior is an option,” Mika said in the episode.

Even though Brian and Mika lost the outdoor challenge, the judges doing the final walkthrough of their space saw the benefits of the work they put in, particularly on the outdoor space.

“These things are amazing,” guest judge Ken Corsini of ‘Flip or Flop: Atlanta’ said about Brian and Mika’s motorized pergola in the episode. “This is covered space. This is going to give you a bump on an appraisal.”

Despite never winning an individual room challenge, Brian and Mika added so much value to their home that it was impossible for them to lose. From a garage workout room to a basement bowling alley and a voice-controlled motorized pergola, Brian and Mika really went out on a limb to make their home unique and functional for the modern family. The judges saw the value in all their hard work and their home came in at the highest appraisal, meaning they added the most value to their home and won ‘Rock the Block’ season two.

Expanding the outdoor living space made a huge difference and helped Brian and Mika nab the title of ‘Rock the Block’ winners. Motorized pergolas allow homeowners to create truly stunning outdoor living spaces where family and friends can gather and be comfortable. These pergolas can be adjusted with voice control, a handheld remote, or even with app control so you’re always in command of your pergola. You can open the louvers to let in sunshine and enjoy a nice day or close them when the sun’s rays become too strong or when it rains.

A motorized pergola allows you to take control of your outdoor space, no matter what Mother Nature has in store. It’s a great way to increase and improve outdoor living spaces so they’re gorgeous, functional, and comfortable.

“This is a game-changer right here,” Mika said on ‘Rock the Block’ about the motorized pergola they installed.

We’re excited for Brian and Mika’s ‘Rock the Block’ win and for the family who will get to enjoy their outdoor space under a motorized pergola.

Source

Our Newest Outdoor Audio Innovation! – Franco D’Ascanio, president

Franco gives a quick tour of what makes the Line Source amazing!

For the 5th Consecutive Year, StruXure Outdoor Appears on the Inc. 5000

NEW YORK, August 14, 2019 – Inc. magazine today revealed that StruXure Outdoor is No. 1,397 on its annual Inc. 5000 list (which is in the top 28% of the list), the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

According to Inc.’s Editor-in-Chief, James Ledbetter, of the tens of thousands of companies that have applied to the Inc. 5000 over the years, only a fraction have made the list more than once, and a mere four percent of companies have made the list five times. “This accomplishment would not have been possible without the help and hard work of our fabulous dealer network,” says CEO Scott Selzer. “We are excited about the future, and look forward to continuing our partnerships and growth.”

Not only have the companies on the 2019 Inc. 5000 (which are listed online at Inc.com, with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 20) been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2019 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 454 percent, and a median rate of 157 percent. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue was $237.7 billion in 2018, accounting for 1,216,308 jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success,” says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. “There’s no single course you can follow or investment you can take that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have in common is persistence and seizing opportunities.”

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held October 10 to 12, 2019, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. As always, speakers include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

StruXure Outdoor™ (formerly Arcadia) is the building industry’s premier designer and manufacturer of high-quality adjustable louvered structures. With patented products like the Pivot, the Slide, the Pivot XL, a complete gutter system, and bonus features designed with advanced technology, the company has become one of the fastest growing privately held businesses in the United States, appearing on the Inc. 5000 list for the past four years. Founded outside of Atlanta in 2011, by CEO and Chief Product Architect Scott Selzer, StruXure Outdoor™ has grown to include two major manufacturing facilities in North Georgia and Nevada, with a staff of more than 50 and a massive dealer network that spans from Canada to the Caribbean. StruXure’s motto of ‘good isn’t good enough,’ and its dedication to its core values of quality, customer service, and innovation, serve as the driving forces behind the company’s continued innovation and growth

CONTACT: Stacey Williams | 310-614-7908 | stacey.williams@struxure.com

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Methodology

The 2019 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2015 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2015. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2018. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2015 is $100,000; the minimum for 2018 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline StruXure Outdoor™ (formerly Arcadia) is the building industry’s premier designer and manufacturer of high-quality adjustable louvered structures. With patented products like the Pivot, the Slide, the Pivot XL, a complete gutter system, and bonus features designed with advanced technology, the company has become one of the fastest growing privately held businesses in the United States, appearing on the Inc. 5000 list for the past four years. Founded outside of Atlanta in 2011, by CEO and Chief Product Architect Scott Selzer, StruXure Outdoor™ has grown to include two major manufacturing facilities in North Georgia and Nevada, with a staff of more than 50 and a massive dealer network that spans from Canada to the Caribbean. StruXure’s motto of ‘good isn’t good enough,’ and its dedication to its core values of quality, customer service, and innovation, serve as the driving forces behind the company’s continued innovation and growth. applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.’s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at https://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. Inc. took home the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. The total monthly audience reach for the brand has been growing significantly, from 2,000,000 in 2010 to more than 20,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of these companies. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions. For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit https://conference.inc.com/.

Case Study: Modern Home, Modern Sound

What started as a basic audio upgrade of an old distributed audio system throughout the “Ross Home” — named for its location in Ross, California — turned into an audiophile’s dream home. The initial request for the modern residence was to pull out the old in-ceiling speakers throughout the main house and simply replace with larger speakers.

The home renovation lasted nearly a year, and in that time, the homeowner’s vision morphed into the desire for luxury, high-performance audio for a home theater, living room, family room, and master bedroom. Driving the upgrade was the homeowner’s decision to turn the original master bedroom suite into an office and a home theater.

The challenge was how to address each distinctly different space with a solution well-designed to handle each acoustical environment. Many of the large, open rooms boasted high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and hard floors and other reflective surfaces, making them a nightmare when trying to achieve pure, direct sound. Each room demanded custom calibrated solutions that would overcome the high-energy reflections most audio solutions can create. Ryan Granko, owner of Granko Consulting, was brought in for his specific knowledge of cutting-edge, high-performance audio.The homeowners already knew they wanted to specifically install Wisdom Audio speaker solutions to get the best listening experience. Engineered with planar magnetic drivers(PMDs), Wisdom Audio speaker solutions differentiate themselves from alternative technologies. They are designed for high-performance, superior detail, outstanding dynamic range, and controlled directivity that creates a more consistent and realistic level of performance in the home.In the new luxury home theater, no expense was spared to recreate the cinematic experience right at home. A Sony VPL-VW675ES 4K projector was installed to achieve the best picture quality, but the homeowners wanted the same caliber of audio. Working in conjunction with CinemaTech to design the theater, Granko Consulting installed three Wisdom Audio Sage Cinema Line Source speakers behind a Seymour RM140HD acoustically transparent fixed projection screen. The Line 3 front loudspeakers provide three separate arrays mounted vertically to deliver the left, center, and right channels, ensuring sound is concentrated where viewer’s ears are rather than bouncing around the room and muddling the signal. The line source loudspeakers also provide a uniform audio experience throughout the room and at every seat to reproduce sound that matches the most demanding motion picture audio accompaniment.To recreate the enveloping sound experience viewers, get at the cinema, four Wisdom Audio Insight L8i in-wall Line Source loudspeakers were installed on either side walls for surround sound and four Wisdom Audio Insight P2i Point source speakers were installed over the seats to add a final layer of immersive audio overhead. A total of four S90i In-Wall Transmission Line Subwoofers were carefully placed to provide solid base to this 7.4.4 Atmos system. The Entire loudspeaker system is powered by Wisdom Audio SA-3 Series (500 Watts per Channel power amplifiers) and driven by a Datasat RS20i Pre-amp processor.

The room was finished off with a star ceiling, Kelvin adjustable temp LED vertical lighting, a Future Automation Lift PD2.5 automated ceiling projector lift, a six-zone lighting control system, along with a Savant Pro Remote REM-1000 to control everything in the room.

In the new master bedroom suite, the homeowners wanted surround sound audio with a custom look and feel. Granko installed three Wisdom Audio’s P2i In wall point source arrays that were mounted horizontally within the wall underneath the Sony XBR75Z9D 75-inch 4K HDR Ultra HD flatscreen. This custom soundbar was made to matches the width of the TV, camouflaging the high-end speaker solution. The Insight Series P2i’s planar magnetic driver — and one S55i In-wall subwoofer was added to provide additional depth to a dynamic range to the system. Two additional Wisdom Audio P2i surround channel where placed in the Ceiling to provide uniform and direct dispersion throughout the room and minimize any reflection in the space. To make the Front speakers blend in even more aesthetically within room, Granko worked with Wisdom Audio to engineer a custom grille for the new soundbar.

When it came to the family room, the space became an unintentional show stopper. The room has floor to ceiling windows on one wall and is open to the kitchen on the other side, so it was essential that the audio be highly directive. Visitors do a double take as an 89-inch-wide piece of artwork within a customized frame and mounted on an automated lift slides up to reveal a second Sony XBR75Z9D 75-inch 4K HDR Ultra HD flatscreen supported by a 5.1 Wisdom Audio surround sound system.To make it appear as if there’s nothing on the wall except the artwork, every component had to be precisely mounted flush with the wall and fit within the perimeter of the artwork. On each side of the flatscreen, Granko installed three Wisdom Audio P6i Insight Series point source in-wall speakers to cover the left, center, and right audio channels. Below that, a Wisdom Audio S90i subwoofer is hidden into the wall and subtly vented through a custom grille. Two P2i point source speakers are mounted in the ceiling to surround the viewer with audio.

Finally, the living room was set up to provide a casual, yet high-end listening room. On either side of the fireplace, Granko installed a Wisdom Audio Sage Series L75 floor-standing line source loudspeaker, which is supported by one S110i in-floor subwoofer. The subwoofer is mounted under the floor to reduce any floor vibrations and is ported out through an inconspicuous HVAC grille.This gives the homeowner crisp, clear audio that doesn’t overwhelm those sitting closest to the speaker and prevented the sound from bouncing off the high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. It also allowed them to take full advantage of the Nativ Vita high-resolution music server.“When you are working with more modern homes that have these very large rooms, open rooms, audio can suffer with typical solutions because it’s reflecting off all the surfaces,” said Ryan Granko, Owner, and CEO, Granko Consulting. “In addition, there usually isn’t an optimal location for a speaker, so you need technology that’s capable of highly directive audio, can cover a large distance, and that isn’t going to overwhelm the space with sound. The way Wisdom is engineered and calibrated; listeners get an audio experience that’s unlike anything else. There are amplitude and volume without filling the entire room. It really achieves that sweet spot for the most particular audiophiles and the most difficult design and architecture.”

Reported by Technology Integrator!

Wisdom Speakers

We have become a dealer for Wisdom Audio!

The Wisdom Audio Sage Series is a groundbreaking technical achievement that addresses the growing demand for high performance loudspeaker systems that can be integrated into a home to address contemporary entertainment lifestyles.

Check it out at Wisdom!

URC

URC, Apple lead the way in the most used universal remotes/tablets brands in the 2014 CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis.

Kaleidescape

We have become a dealer for Kaleidescape who provide a movie server that digitally stores and organizes Blu-ray and DVD movies, and makes them available from any television in home

Check it out at Kaleidescape!

New Wrap

We updated our company vehicles with a New Wrap so that all of our clients can see us coming.