Notes from the
drawing board.
Articles on smart home automation, lighting design, security, sustainable power, and the questions architects, designers, and homeowners ask us most often.
Cost of Installing and Maintaining a Standby Generator
Standby generator pricing in BC — what installation costs, what ongoing maintenance costs, and what factors most affect the total.
The Cost of Professional Smart Home Systems
What Control4, Crestron, and Lutron actually cost — typical pricing ranges for smart home automation in Vancouver Island custom homes.
Custom Security for Luxury Homes
What real security looks like for a luxury home — beyond the off-the-shelf alarm. Integrated systems, perimeter strategy, and discreet camera coverage.
Design + Documentation
Why the drawings matter as much as the equipment. How proper technology documentation prevents change orders, protects warranties, and keeps the project on schedule.
How a 4-Day Work Week Works at Wenner
Why Wenner Group operates on a 4-day work week — and what it means for the projects we deliver, the clients we work with, and the people we hire.
Securing Small Business in BC — Rebates and Best Practice
Commercial security on Vancouver Island — what BC small businesses should consider, what insurance discounts are available, and how local monitoring matters.
Alternative Power Solutions for Your Home
Backup power, solar, and battery storage on Vancouver Island — what works, what's worth it, and how to think about resilience for your property.
How Smart Shades Can Enhance Your Home
Motorised shades and drapery from Lutron and Crestron — what they do, why they matter, and what to look for when specifying.
Should You Consider Human-Centric Lighting for Your Smart Home Project?
Tunable LED lighting that follows the body's circadian rhythm — what it is, how it works, and when it's worth specifying.
Why the Touch Panel Matters as Much as the Architecture
The user interface is what the homeowner actually touches every day. Why interface design determines whether a smart home gets used — or quietly stops being smart.
Home Automation Voice Control
Where voice control belongs in a luxury home — and where it doesn't. Honest assessment of Alexa, HomeKit, and Crestron voice integration.
What is Home Automation?
Home automation explained — what it actually is, what it can do, and how to think about specifying it for a Vancouver Island custom home.
Choosing the Right Security Solution
Wired vs wireless, monitored vs unmonitored, DIY vs professional install — how to think about security choices for a Vancouver Island property.