Smart Buildings are those that have systems and facilities that allow management and automated control. The goal is to increase energy efficiency and ensure sustainability, security, usability, and accessibility for anyone.

Among the systems and facilities that can be automated, we find air conditioning, lighting and electricity, security systems, telecommunications and multimedia methods, and access controls. To achieve this, smart buildings use a variety of technologies, among which the Internet of Things (IoT) and predictive analytics stand out. Thanks to them, it is possible to have an integrated control system and to prevent in advance any problem, no matter how small, that allows rapid action.

Despite the fact that smart buildings are often associated with office buildings, the trend leads us to the fact that, in the near future, all constructions (including homes) will have this automation incorporated.

What characteristics define smart buildings?

The smart building concept may seem as fuzzy as the SmartCity concept. Although it will depend on many factors, from the use to which the building is intended to the specific needs of its inhabitants or users, it is possible to identify the characteristics of Smart Buildings:

Energy efficiency: An intelligent building will have energy and water-saving systems, also monitoring its use and daily spending to adapt to people's needs.

Centralized and integrated control in the building. Although each floor could have its own control system, everything must be interconnected to guarantee the overall optimization of the building.

They are safe buildings: From access controls to fire suppression systems, or automated ventilation systems, these types of buildings have the latest advances in security.

They are scalable solutions or, in other words, they are flexible buildings capable of incorporating new technologies as they emerge.

Ergonomics for your tenants: Whether in office buildings or blocks of flats, Smart Buildings have solutions aimed at improving the usability and comfort of people. From smart lighting systems, through smart doors or access for the disabled, everything is designed around the concept of ergonomics.

Essential technologies in smart buildings

A smart building has a multitude of technologies capable of improving performance, guaranteeing sustainability, and improving people's lives. We review the main technologies :

Internet of Things: in a single building thousands of devices and sensors are gathered with the ability to connect through the internet so that all this data can be used for some purpose.

Predictive analysis: these analysis techniques on the data collected by IoT devices offer the possibility of predicting, among other things, the most likely uses of the different systems, and how they will evolve over time. This is very important for decision-making or to determine the operation of other intelligent systems.

Open standard architecture: this point does not refer to the physical architecture of the building, but to the architecture of the computer systems. All devices and sensors speak the same language, being able to communicate effectively.

Smart lighting: we mentioned lighting, but it can also be applied to other systems such as ventilation or air conditioning. These are systems that react to changes in ambient light (or temperature, humidity, or air quality) in an automated way by adapting its intensity. They can also be controlled through apps to set the mood for a meeting room or achieve an environment conducive to improving productivity.