Questions plaguing the green and intelligent minds

Tags

definition of sustainability, green buildings, intelligent building myths, intelligent buildings

Although there is no standard recognised definition available, I personally find the definition of intelligent buildings by Bennett et al. (1987) to be the most expressive. It comprehensively highlights the three attributes that an intelligent building should possess:

• “Buildings should ‘know’ what is happening inside and is immediately outside.
• Buildings should ‘decide’ the most efficient way of providing a convenient, comfortable and productive environment for the occupants.
• Buildings should ‘respond’ quickly to occupants’ requests”.

This definition can be considered ahead of its times as it was still the era of technocentric approach which attributed the intelligence level of a building to the number of computers in it. This definition and the ones that followed after 1995 shifted their focus to a holistic one; incorporating environmental, technological and user needs. In spite of the technological progress that we have witnessed since intelligent buildings were first introduced as a concept in 1985 the three most common perceptions that have been rampant about intelligent buildings are:

• “They are more expensive
• It takes a super integrator to put it all together
• It is highly disruptive to the design and construction process”

There is quite a dilemma as to whether intelligent architecture promotes sustainability or not? There have been two prominent schools of thought; one that believe that a ‘greener building’ can be achieved using intelligent building systems while the other which argues that more energy and money can be saved by using natural energy-saving design solutions. Since sustainability is not only about energy efficiency but also about people’s comfort, well-being and cost savings; all these aspects need to inspected to prove if intelligent buildings can achieve all-round sustainability. All the three parameters of sustainability i.e. environmental, social and economic; need to be engaged to achieve an optimum balance.

Pertinent questions that need to be answered for a better understanding and tackling of the issues are many.  What are intelligent buildings? Are they just a fad or the need of the hour and future? What does sustainability in the built environment mean? Why is it such a rising concern currently?  What is the most appropriate and time specific definition of sustainability? Can this definition of sustainability be used as a paradigm to judge whether intelligent buildings are sustainable or not? What are the various schools of thought regarding the use of intelligent techniques in buildings? Does common perception agree that intelligence can aid sustainability or is intelligence just viewed as an overtly luxurious lifestyle that negates the purpose of sustainable living?

I would like to know some of your opinions on this. Is this an issue where sides need to be taken or can a green and intelligent middle ground be too much to ask for?

What is RIBS?

Tags

AI, intelligent buildings, sustainability, sustainable buildings

RIBS is the fancy acronym of my research topic – “RIBS: Relationship between Intelligent Buildings and Sustainability”. This research is a step towards my ambitious dream to identify an optimised solution of sustainability and intelligence in buildings that will help the agenda of comfort, safety, security, energy efficiency, and monetary savings in a technologically advanced world. The main focus of this study is to determine a connection between building intelligence and energy consumption as well as users’ perception of comfort in an intelligent space.

The twenty first century is an era of technological progress termed as the Information/ Digital age and has spread its reach in all the possible fields known to mankind. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that the architecture and building industry have also been dramatically altered in this age. The study of current advancements and the speculations for the future have already established intelligent buildings as a current novel approach and a norm for the future. It has been foreseen that “by 2020 the majority of new buildings being constructed around the world, and many that are being refurbished, will be increasingly intelligent”. On the other hand with problems such as global warming, resource depletion, deforestation, irresponsible urbanisation, etc. plaguing the planet; sustainable development is one of the rising issues of concern. Buildings are responsible for at least 40% of energy consumption in most countries. And as energy prices climb and the focus on environmental performance intensifies, buildings will have to make extra efforts to steer towards the sustainable way. Since intelligent buildings are the current trend, and the future foresees a huge growth potential, their being sustainable can make a huge positive difference on the environment. Ideally this implicates that if intelligent buildings are our future and so is the need for sustainability then it would benefit to have an integration of both and strive towards common goals.

The main reason for doing this particular research is its timely nature in todays world and the expertise I bring to Green Labs through my work. I visualise the Green Labs as a practical manifestation of my research by integrating architectural design, green technologies and intelligent building systems as a pragmatic approach leading towards the holistic sustainability aspect. This is the first blog related to my research and I will be mapping its progress through more blogs to come!

Introduction: why GL needs an AI consultant?

Tags

AI, AI in buildings, smart home

Hi guys, my name is Akash. I work in the Green Labs as an AI consultant. For those who’ll need to google the term AI let me point out it that it stands for Artificial Intelligence, and if you’re thinking of Terminator and iRobot now then you are right that is what it aims to achieve (or at least some of us 🙂 but knowingly or unknowingly we all use it every time we use google, or use GPS in our cars or take metal against enemy forces on our playstations and xboxes.

So why would an architecture firm need an AI specialist? The answer is (and it might come as a surprise) that chances are, the building you’re living in is probably more smart than your pet dog. It is aware about its inhabitants, their preferences in temperature, lighting and airflow, their habits like when do they wake up so that it can pull up the blinds and draw out the curtains.

My role at GL is more of R&D. I work on designing model rooms and houses using the latest in intelligent houses technology. Through this blog I will be sharing my experience with these cutting edge technology aimed at making out living smarter. So keep looking out for more posts about it later.

Check out our new video which projects the services we provide to design green and intelligent buildings.

Green Designs, Sustainability, Sustainable Buildings, Intelligence, Smart Buildings, Green Architecture