Somfy Expert in Action: JTP Electric Expands Shading Control at Robert Crown Community Center

Project Overview

The Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, Illinois is a 130,000-square-foot, multi-level facility. Home to three indoor ice-skating rinks, a childcare center, pickleball courts, and other community spaces, the building depends on effective environmental control to maintain occupant comfort and preserve ice conditions.

As part of the original renovation, the facility incorporated 51 motorized roller shades powered by Somfy Digital Network™ (SDN) technology to help manage solar heat gain throughout the building. When the City of Evanston later sought to expand the system with additional shades, they needed a partner who could integrate new motors into the existing Somfy ecosystem while maintaining cohesive control across the facility.

That partner was JTP Electric, a Certified Somfy Expert Dealer serving North Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

The Challenge

Making additions to an existing motorized shading system requires more than simply installing new shades. Since the community center already had a Somfy-powered shading infrastructure in place, the new installation needed to align with the already established network, controls, and user experience.

"When we first became involved, the priority was making sure the new shades would work flawlessly within the facility’s Somfy system," said Jovan Peric, owner of JTP Electric. "The goal was to create a consistent experience for the customer, where the added shades felt like a natural extension of what was already there."

For the City of Evanston, that meant finding a partner who could evaluate the environment, understand how the system was configured, and ensure the new installation would support reliable, unified control across the building.

The Solution

Peric approached the project with a systems-first mindset. Before installation began, his team conducted a comprehensive assessment of the facility’s shading infrastructure to understand how the new motors would need to fit into the broader SDN ecosystem.

"In order to familiarize ourselves with the original project, my team toured the facility, identified every component, traced connections, and built a complete picture of how the system was configured," said Peric. "Before you can add to a system like this, you have to understand exactly what you're working with and map it out."

Using Somfy’s Set pro software, JTP Electric connected directly to the SDN network to evaluate the configuration and plan for the smooth integration of the new shades. That process enabled the team to commission the new motors in a way that aligned with the building’s established controls strategy and overall shading performance goals.

"Set pro allowed us to quickly understand what was happening on the network and how the new shades needed to be incorporated," said Peric. "Once we had that visibility, we were able to develop a plan that supported reliable operation and uniform control moving forward."

JTP Electric worked closely with facility staff throughout the process, providing clear communication and updates as the expansion project moved forward.

“JTP Electric demonstrated exceptional professionalism, technical expertise, and attention to detail throughout the project,” said Tim Kirkby, Project Manager at the City of Evanston Public Works Agency. “Their team proactively kept city staff informed of their progress and ensured all stakeholders were aligned during implementation.”

The Result

By carefully integrating the new shades, JTP Electric helped expand shading coverage while maintaining a consistent user experience across the Robert Crown Community Center.

"The biggest outcome wasn't just adding more shades," said Peric. "It was making sure the customer had a single, cohesive system they could rely on moving forward. Instead of treating the new installation as something separate, we were able to make it feel like part of one complete solution."

Most recently, JTP Electric partnered with Michigan-based manufacturer Window Products Inc. to commission and install 30 new motorized roller shades in a south-facing hallway with 105-inch-tall windows and significant sun exposure. Powered by Somfy Sonesse® 30 RS485 motors, the new shades help reduce heat gain and improve comfort in a heavily used area of the facility.

The community center is also planning an additional shading project for a first-floor daycare area, where blackout shades will be installed to create a more comfortable environment for children and staff.

Building Confidence Through Certified Expertise

The Robert Crown Community Center project demonstrates the value that Certified Somfy Experts like JTP Electric bring to commercial shading projects, especially when facilities need to expand or build on an existing motorized shading investment. For building owners, facility managers, architects, and specifiers, working with a Certified Somfy Expert provides confidence that new installations will be integrated thoughtfully, commissioned correctly, and supported for long-term performance.