It is possible to design buildings that assist people adapt to new technology and make their lives easier by using the notion of “smart building.”
Every day, industries are expanding quickly, and structures are doing the same. However, as a result of expanding populations and the need for additional structures, buildings are increasingly more adaptable and include smart buildings.
In addition to other things, smart buildings collect user information to enhance user experience. There are numerous advantages to smart buildings, but the world hasn’t yet utilized them to their full potential.
This tutorial will attempt to explore some of the many aspects of smart buildings. The many smart buildings will be covered in this guide. Therefore, without further ado, let’s begin.
Understanding the Concept of Smart Buildings
In order to record and send information about the building’s operations, such as water use, heating, and other utilities, smart buildings mostly rely on wireless technology.
Users can control resources remotely, automate processes, and have a better understanding of when and what resources are currently in use thanks to this data.
As a crucial part of any smart building, smart building technology businesses use IoT technologies like sensors to collect data.
This means sensors can track the average temperature, how often a room is used when the lights are on and off, and which areas of the building see the greatest foot traffic.
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The Fundamental Elements of Smart Building Technology
The most cutting-edge and effective technology is used in smart buildings. In light of this, smart building technology may comprise the following elements:
- IoT Sensors
- Analytics Software
- User Interface
- Connectivity
1. IoT Sensors:
Sensors keep an eye on their environment and record or send the data they gather to a computer processor. This usually sheds light on the issue with an access point that is situated within a building and interacts with a gateway.
This gateway gathers sensor data and uploads it to the cloud. Some of the most important indicators for monitoring in a smart building environment include temperature, humidity, light, motion, location, air quality, and vibration.
Building professionals have a wide range of alternatives when it comes to purchasing sensors. When choosing a scanner, pricing and battery life are crucial considerations.
2. Analytics Software:
Experts can better comprehend sensor data thanks to the software. The program helps specialists decide how to put the rich insights supplied by the data to use by extracting and analyzing the data.
This smart building technology may combine sensor data with data from other sources, such as weather or utility tariffs, to decide on a course of action.
The software, for instance, might advise super-cooling the building as necessary by using daily weather data and utility peak demand information.
It will also determine the energy savings brought by building visitors using less energy after a given time. The software closes any loopholes that might still exist if the data were collected by a person.
3. User Interface:
Users can interact with software—computer screens, icons, displays, and other elements—by using the user interface.
The user interface in smart buildings primarily gives consumers direct access to information in an accessible and understandable fashion.
In order to increase customer happiness, the user interface can also present vast amounts of information in an organized and effective manner.
4. Connectivity:
It all boils down to the equipment the building needs to connect to the Internet and interact correctly and effectively.
Examples of connectivity options are cellular and Wi-Fi-based networking systems.
The ability of cellular-based apps to operate over vast distances makes them an ideal choice for smart buildings. The price of cellular-based devices, however, peaks too high.
While Wi-Fi, on the other hand, offers enough coverage in the majority of buildings, many IT departments are hesitant to accept third-party IoT devices on their networks and in smart buildings because of security concerns. Because a security breach may take over the entire structure and cause serious harm.
In the case of smart buildings, a dedicated IoT network becomes another choice. The network has better signal penetration through walls and concrete blocks than cellular have longer sensor battery life and is less expensive than cellular. It also eliminates Wi-Fi security difficulties.
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Here are some examples of smart construction materials.
- Self-Healing Concrete
- Aerogel
- Permeable Pavement
- Nanomaterials
- Shape Memory Alloys
Self-Healing Concrete:
A self-healing concrete mix is available from the Dutch company Basilisk Concrete. Their method is based on bacteria or other microbes that, when added to concrete during production, produce limestone.
Concrete constructions become stronger as a result and have the ability to self-heal crack forms. Both new and old structures are being considered for the autonomous repair system.
It is the finest choice for smart buildings since it eliminates the drawbacks of conventional concrete, such as the pollutants and hazardous gases released during production.
Aerogel:
A Spanish start-up called Green Earth Aerogel Technologies uses nanotechnology to produce silica and carbon aerogels from rice husk and rice trash, respectively.
Recent developments in nanotechnology have made aerogels stronger, lighter, and thinner. Pipes, tubes, and wires may be insulated using these aerogels.
As putty and paint additives, aerogel fine powders are utilized to create protective coatings that are both fireproof and insulated. Additionally, Aerogel granules now work well as translucent materials for walls, windows, and roofs.
Permeable Pavement:
Certain smart buildings’ concrete surfaces become sponge-like receptacles for copious volumes of rain and floodwater thanks to permeable pavements.
An American firm called PaverGuide has created a structural stormwater chamber that is made completely of recycled plastic and is intended for permeable pavements.
They have a hold that is 89mm (3.5in) deep and can store as much water as a 254mm (10in) deep stone sub-base. The pros use this permeable pavement feature to improve the effectiveness of water storage and the structure of smart buildings
Nanomaterials:
Many facets of architecture and construction could be changed by the use of graphene, whether it is mixed with concrete or applied to steel structures.
The building’s lifespan is increased with graphene, which also greatly enhances structural stability. Graphene is a future material according to experts because of its great conductivity.
A British business called Graphitene produces graphene for use in architecture and construction.
They have a distinct and hygienic method of producing graphene that doesn’t call for high temperatures.
Their process produces pure graphene by extracting it from natural sources while utilizing only mild chemicals and environmental factors.
Shape Memory Alloys:
Shape memory alloys are produced by the Italian business Epos for a number of industries, including the building sector.
They use a special sintering technique that enables them to reach theoretical densities in the air without oxidation, enabling lean manufacturing of straightforward components with little machining.
When loaded or heated, shape memory alloys can distort before resuming their original shape. The reversible phase transformation is known as the martensitic transformation that SMAs experience is what gives rise to this “shape memory” effect.
Its uses have grown to include superelasticity for tall skyscrapers to prevent them from wobbling out of shape and seismic resistance for historic buildings and earthquake-prone areas.
Examples of smart building technology
- The Edge – Amsterdam
- Apple Park – Cupertino
- Bahrain World Trade Center – Bahrain
- Frasers Tower – Singapore
- Corning Optical Communications Headquarters – Charlotte, North Carolina
The Edge – Amsterdam:
The Edge of Amsterdam is first on the list. The British organization BREEAM gave it the highest sustainability score it has ever given: 98.4%. The solar panels mounted on the building’s exterior supply the structure with electricity.
In addition to improved ventilation, which includes mesh panels on each floor that allow hot air to climb to the ceiling in order to mimic the circulation outdoors, the solar panels generate more electricity than the building needs daily.
The building can be connected to an app so that visitors can use it to identify parking spaces, find desks according to personal timetables, and customize the lighting and temperature in each area they visit. Isn’t it incredible?
Apple Park – Cupertino:
The corporate offices of Apple had to be futuristic, and they didn’t fall short. The ring-shaped structure offers room for 12,000 workers. The general public is welcome to explore this absolutely unique structure.
The construction has earned the distinction of being among the most energy-efficient ones in the world. Smart buildings make full use of climate control technology.
To keep things cool, it has tubes installed on the roofs and floors in addition to cutting-edge ventilation. Due to the building’s $4 billion valuation, a $ 40 million property tax is due.
Bahrain World Trade Center – Bahrain:
The first skyscraper to have windmills in its design is the Bahrain World Trade Center. Wine provides it with around 15% of the energy it needs.
Three 3-meter-wide windmills tied to walkways connect the 240-meter smart building at its core. The Atkins business created this magnificent work of art, which is proudly housed in Bahrain’s Manama.
Frasers Tower – Singapore:
Microsoft’s Frasers Tower1, which was developed in association with Bentley Systems and Schneider Electric, is a showcase for cutting-edge technology and operational excellence.
It features 900 lighting, temperature, and air quality sensors as well as 179 Bluetooth Beacons that capture real-time data to enable building space optimization for maximum effectiveness and productivity.
Smart Building CampusLink, a fully integrated program with Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office 365, is also available to employees and staff. The apps can aid staff in real-time facility booking, occupancy rate analysis, and route-finding.
Corning Optical Communications Headquarters – Charlotte, North Carolina:
Corning Optical Communications is the list’s final but not least example. It is a remarkable example of smart construction.
The SPIRE smart building standards were tested in this building. High-end fiber-optic networks for connection as well as digital health technologies like sensors are included.
Sensors keep an eye out for issues with congestion and air pollution, while data collection and manufacturing technology help manage energy consumption.
In addition, the building meets LEED, Fitwel, and WELL Building Standards.
Conclusion:
Smart building technology can be applied in a variety of settings and in a variety of structures, from an energy-efficient skyscraper to a completely automated building. For instance, a smart office building could concentrate on boosting worker productivity. While a hotel or residential building may attempt to introduce circadian rhythms into the building space to achieve relaxation for those insides, it also gives them a stress-free environment.
FAQ:
What is a smart building example?
Los Angeles City Center (Oakland, California) A distinctive feature of Oakland City Center is its cutting-edge variable air volume (VAV) technology. It was created by Siemens, and it gathers temperature and humidity data to determine how the system reacts to demand variations.
What is a smart building in the smart city?
Any smart city’s functioning core is its smart building. IoT and technology are combined in “smart” buildings to address typical building management issues. All of the systems in a smart building are interconnected, including emergency and security services, energy, lighting, and water.
What is smart building in IoT?
Tasks like monitoring building temperature, security, and maintenance via mobile devices and computers are made simpler by smart buildings, which integrate building activities through the Internet of Things (IoT).
