Intelligent buildings are the future of construction for Asia.
All new commercial and luxury residential buildings are being designed with the common goal of becoming smart.
However, the definition of an intelligent building around the world has not yet been brought to a common denominator.
In the US, smart buildings are divided into categories including four criteria: building structure, building systems, building services and building management.
In Europe, the main emphasis is on information technology and the needs of the end consumer.
In Singapore and China, the term “automation” has historically dominated in tandem with the use of high technology.
In our opinion, the correct definition of an intelligent building should be based on the needs of consumers, instead of building an image of the building itself with its infrastructure.
Singapore
The Civil Works Department of the Government of Singapore defines that an “intelligent building” (IB) must meet three conditions:
1. The building must have a modern control system installed that regulates the operation of the air conditioning system, temperature, lighting, security, fire protection, etc., providing residents with comfortable conditions.
2. The building must have a good network infrastructure that allows information exchange.
3. The building must have modern telecommunications solutions.
China
In China, the definition of IZ places emphasis on building management systems and communications using high technology.
In Shanghai, IZ developers mean that such a building must perform three main functions: communication function, automation of office work and automation of management of the entire building.
Some experts separate the fire and security system from the general automation of the building, since it is equipped with independent automation, while other building engineering systems use complex technical solutions to integrate with each other.
Japan
In Japan, the definition of an intelligent building is mainly focuses on the needs of the people in the building and includes four main aspects:
1. Act as a platform for information exchange and support for management effectiveness.
2. Ensure that requests are met and create a comfortable environment for people in the building.
3. Manage the building efficiently and provide better service while reducing operating costs.
4. Adapt quickly to changes, including economic and social ones, being connected to office work processes and business strategies.
According to Japanese cultural characteristics, smart buildings must support an efficient work environment, operate autonomously, and adapt to possible changes.
The requirements for this type of building are: precise operation of the air conditioning system, providing different microclimate parameters for groups of users in the building; lighting system; recreation areas; atrium; digital exchange of electronic information; fiber optic local computer networks; central monitoring system; Access Control System; automatic energy accounting system; high-capacity cable system, as well as the use of other technologies.
The definition of IZ in Japan differs from other countries, especially Western countries, due to a more attentive attitude towards building occupants and their needs.
However, it seems to us that the Japanese definition of IZ is more suitable than others to create a universal concept of this term in Asia.
Hence, a two-level strategy is proposed to determine the IZ.
The first level will include 9 environmental quality modules.
1. Environmental protection — saving energy.
2. Flexibility in the use of space.
3. Comfort for residents.
4. Efficiency in work.
5. Culture.
6. Presence of high technologies.
7. Safety precautions
8. Construction process.
9. Payback during the life cycle of the building.
The second level evaluates a set of key elements: functional requirements, functional spaces, technologies. Each of the 9 modules selects a number of key elements, in order of priority.
With these two levels, we can formulate a new definition of a smart building:
A smart building must be designed and built based on a selection of environmental quality modules that satisfy the requirements of the end user and are linked to relevant building elements to enhance its value throughout the entire life cycle.
This definition for IZ includes two additions.
1. Requirements of designers, building owners and residents.
2. Intelligent technologies — systems and services.
The integration of these additions creates measurable parameters for the building. (System performance, market value, energy savings, etc.).
Using this approach, it is possible to identify the same set of criteria for evaluation for any building.
Using such criteria, it will be possible to assess whether the building has the functions inherent in an intelligent building.