News

Specialty in the News!

2011-11-02T05:51:00.000-07:00

We were just featured in the Richmond Times Dispatch. The article, titled "Shades are just one specialty", is about our company, where we came from, and what we are doing. You can read about our expertise in motorized shades, fine upholstery cleaning, and how we won Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.'s 2010 Excellence Award for "Best Shade Project."

View the Article

New Case Studies

2011-05-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

We've added two new projects to our case studies! We just completed Thomas Jefferson's Montalto renovation with automated solar shades and lighting controls as well as automated solar shades, drapery, and lighting in the new home for Jefferson Scholars!

View Montalto under Cultural Projects
View Jefferson Scholars under Education Projects.

Lutron's iphone App

2011-01-12T09:18:00.000-08:00

Lutron has an iphone app that allows owners of Lutron’s popular HomeWorks lighting system to control it directly via their iPhone or iPod Touch. This integrating makes it easy to set the mood from within your home or turn off lights while you’re away. The needed interface is at your fingertips. The Lutron Home application allows you to control your RadioRA 2 lighting control system over a Wi-Fi network with the convenience of the iPhone and iPod Touch.

The application is available for download free of charge!

Specialty Wins Lutron 2010 International Excellence Award

2010-10-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

We have been selected as the International Excellence Award winner for best shade job for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Expansion project in Richmond.

View the Results

The project included over 120 automated devices, including Lutron Shades & Keypads, and Draper Motorized Skylight Shades. All of these devices are controlled by a centralized shade processor—ShadeWorks. Specialty has been involved with the design and installation of this project for 7 years working with the SMBW (Richmond, VA) and Rick Mather’s (London, UK) Architectural firms, the Whiting Turner Construction Company and The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

The shade system automates control of Shades to minimize HVAC costs, protect museum displays and provide Total Light Control as well as significant aesthetic enhancements to the building.

Specialty on display in Madrid Spain at Solar decathlon

2010-06-29T06:08:00.000-07:00

After nine exciting days of strategic competition, the Virginia Tech Lumenhaus was declared best in the world at the Solar Decathlon Europe in Madrid, Spain. The Specialty Group was a sponsor, assisting with Motorized solar drapery and lighting control integration for this project. Seventeen research universities from around the world gathered to demonstrate their solar-powered houses to the public.

source - http://www.archdesign.vt.edu/news/2009-10/1007

AMX's Viewstat

2010-01-04T12:43:00.001-08:00

The Viewstat Thermostat is 3.5" color display that communicates with the HVAC system providing automatic Scheduling for temperature and humidity levels and displays weather feeds from the internet or weather system on the display. Simply a better way to save on heating and cooling costs.

Visit the AMX site for more info

Specialty Hosts Lumenhaus

2010-01-04T08:24:00.000-08:00

The Specialty Group is proud to be a sponsor of the Virginia Tech Lumenhaus. The Lumenhaus is Virginia Tech's entry to the United States Department of Energy 2009 Solar Decathalon Competition. Specialty assisted with solar shading and lighting controls.

Visit the Lumenhaus site for more info

Specialty News

2010-01-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hello, This is the first post of The Specialty Group News Blog. Here is where you can find updates on current projects and recent stories about The Specialty Group! We will also cover current stories and breakthroughs as they relate to Total Light Management, Lighting Controls, Daylight Management, and Home Automation. Here is a place to keep everyone informed on our development and industry specific news!