The smart building

Smart buildings or smart homes were futuristic ideas from science fiction books and movies that described the time when our sanctuary would be like a living machine, making decisions and adjustments, even to the point of prediction, in our living space and I work to meet our expectations. needs. The Jetsons cartoon show we all know and love normally comes to mind when we talk about the smart home and recently the Eureka TV series shows what a smart home would look like in a more realistic setting (not cartoon ).

The definition of smart building has continually changed, depending on the current technology of the time. From the 70s to the present day, smart buildings or smart homes have had several evolutions: first it was simply incorporating energy efficiency into building designs, then the use of personal computers to control the various internal systems and finally the emphasis on the building to make the occupants more efficient.

At first, building intelligence was limited to its economic feasibility and existing technology where custom devices were needed to implement a smart building. In contrast, much of today’s business information technology can now be used in a smart building. Like wireless technology, which is used in computers, networks are also found in security cameras, various sensors, and controls. Modern home appliances also come with network interfaces, which can be easily connected to the backbone of the smart building network; from refrigerators and air conditioners to elevators, these are just a few of these smart appliances that are already on the market.

Another of the current technologies incorporated in a smart building and a smart home is the Internet. With the Internet, remote control or supervision of a structure is easily implemented without having to rely on proprietary systems. This again allows the use of commercially available products and even free software solutions. Any computer with a browser that has an internet connection can be used to monitor a web-enabled smart building system. It has also enabled online access to “live” data such as weather forecasts, which helps the smart building determine the temperature of the internal environment, as well as future energy use. The term “convergence” describes this combination of building systems with information technology and the Internet.

Today’s technology has also produced not only devices and household appliances, but also smart materials. Where standard materials are static, these smart materials are dynamic and responsive. Some of these smart materials are:

. Smart windows. There are smart windows that can control the amount of light that passes through them. When electricity is applied to its special coating, the properties of the window will change depending on whether more or less light enters.

There are also other smart window technologies with special coatings that let in light but keep heat out.

. Materials for photovoltaic roofs or “Solar tiles”. The early adoption of solar energy replaced water heaters. But today, solar shingles are commercially available to generate power from sunlight for the building or home. And these are designed to look like regular roof tiles instead of those unsightly solar panels.

. Smart bricks. Just like regular bricks, but with wireless sensors and a battery packed inside, helping to control temperature, vibration, and building movement wirelessly.

. Smart cement. As concrete is deformed or stressed, these can be detected and monitored to help assess the structural integrity of a building. This is very useful, especially after an earthquake.

This dream of a smart building that offers maximum comfort and cost effectiveness by managing temperature, indoor air quality, lighting, security, structural integrity, and appliances is slowly becoming a reality. And it also helps save our environment.