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INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS AND THE ROLE OF

ARCHITECTS IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM.

By

Akin’ Adejimi

Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology,

Olabisi Onabanjo University. Ibogun Campus. Ogun State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

This paper offers a summary of what intelligent buildings are, how

they function, how buildings do become intelligent and the relevance

of the architects in procuring intelligent buildings in the new

dispensation. The paper stresses that an intelligent building is not

only the building itself and systems installed into them, but must be a

commitment from the developer / owner that this is and will be

maintained as an intelligent building and must be designed with

intelligence. This means that Intelligent Architecture precedes

intelligent building. Without intelligent architecture, buildings will

not be able to perform intelligently no matter how complex the

electronic gadget built into them. Intelligent architecture is therefore

the passive intelligence while the computerized electronic systems

are the active intelligence of the building. And the higher the passive

intelligence in a building, the higher the active intelligence the

building can accommodate. The new role of the architects is

therefore to learn more the science and the art of putting

intelligence into building designs. If they are to take the lead and

become relevant in the new dispensation of intelligent buildings,

they must be up-to date or else, they will be left behind.

Key Words: Intelligence, Intelligent Buildings, Intelligent

Architecture, Passive intelligence, Active Intelligence,

Electronic gadget.

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Rapid urbanization in recent years has caused cities to be

overcrowded and heavily polluted; this therefore brings the need

for spaces. Society's desperate attempt to resolve this problem

comes in the form of the high-rise buildings also known as the

skyscrapers. This is just one of the reasons explaining the need

for large buildings. Other reasons include the population

explosion and the increased scale of large corporations and

institutions as well as land scarcity in the urban areas.

For whatever reason buildings might be built, one fact cannot be

disputed: Large-scale buildings are here to stay. However, they

do bring with them their share of problems that need to be solved.

These include air circulation and control, temperature control,

lighting, transportation and large amount of energy usage and

wastage as a result of inefficient and ineffective policies and

procedures, as well as safety problems. Intelligent buildings

provide solutions to not necessarily dispose off the problems

altogether, but to minimize it to the lowest level possible.

2.0 INTELLIGENT BUILDING DEFINED

There have been various definitions of „Intelligent Building‟. One

of them is that the building is able to adapt to changes of use and

still remain able to service the occupants with a pleasant and

convenient environment.

According to Birgitta (1999), Intelligent buildings can be defined

as accommodation where various functions are automatically

controlled while at the same time acting together in a network.

With these definitions, one can come up with a simpler

explanation of what intelligent building really mean. The basis of

the explanation according to Coggan (2003b) is the simple

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comparison of features of the “dumb” buildings with features

now being employed in today‟s “intelligent buildings”.

An Intelligent Building can therefore be summarized to mean a

high-tech building which accurately fulfills the occupier‟s needs

and desires in terms of image, security, safety, comfort and

convenience; can adapt to change without major cost; has a

complete record of all the services within it resulting from

efficient information flow.

3.O OPERATIONS IN INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS

Various vendors of intelligent building components have

emphasized that the technological aspect of an intelligent

building is composed of operations that can be divided into four

major categories: Energy efficiency, Life safety systems,

Telecommunication systems and Workplace Automation. It is

believed that an ideal intelligent building integrates all these four

aspects into one computerized system.

A. Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency continues to be a top priority in Building

and Facility Management. This is because it forms the largest

chunk of the building‟s running cost. The goal of energy-

efficiency in intelligent building is therefore to reduce the

energy consumption or cost to the barest minimum without

sacrificing occupants‟ comfort. Intelligent buildings are

designed and managed to meet changing environmental

conditions, businesses, and other human needs. For this,

computerized systems are used extensively. Such systems

come in different names e.g. Building Automation System

(BAS), Energy Management System (EMS), Energy

Management and Control System (EMCS), Central Control

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and Monitoring System (CCMS) and Facility Management

System (FMS). In all these systems, energy is managed to

achieve maximum output from the minimum input. Energy

saving in an intelligent building is realized by controlling

heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC), lighting and

anything that uses energy. Examples include lights that are

automatically switched off, and the room temperature being

adjusted appropriately to suit the need of the occupants or in

an empty room.

B. Telecommunication systems

Intelligence with respect to telecommunications consists of

the offering to tenants (occupants) of many sophisticated

telecom features at a considerably reduced cost due to the fact

that many users share equipment. The system serves as a

telecommunication carrier within the building and will

provide a link between individual offices, satellite and

telephone cable services locally and internationally. The

system is made up of wire and optical fibers being installed in

stages as the core information carrier for the development.

And the building stands as a sending and receiving station of

information.

C . Workplace Automation

Intelligence with respect to workplace automation in an

intelligent building consists of the use of high-tech office

automation systems to render the operation of a company

more efficient.

In intelligent buildings, Multi Agent System (MAS) approach

is used. This consists of a collection of software agents that

monitor and control an office building using electrical devices

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already present in the building. Different agents control

different parts, as well as different aspects of the

environmental conditions of the building. For example, doors

are opened as people approach them; computers are booted as

a worker enters his/her office; AC starts working as the staff

enters a room and switches off as he/she leaves office.

Parameters for switching on and off the office machines are

set and operations are carried on automatically.

D. Life safety systems

Life safety systems in intelligent buildings focuses on two

major areas namely:

i. Security against intruders, burglars, and unwanted guests

ii. Safety in emergency e.g. fire outbreak, earthquake etc.

i. Security

This includes Access-control and Surveillance through

communication (facilitation of response).

The access control: This regulates people going in and out

and monitors who goes where and when, with an

identification device. This device identifies a person by his

unique biometric traits or by reading a unique card associated

with that individual. Surveillance: This helps in monitoring

movement within and outside a building and its periphery

through camera (close-circuit television camera).

ii. Safety in emergency

Intelligence with respect to safety in emergency consists of

high technology to maximize the performance of fire alarm

and security systems while at the same time minimizing cost

during emergencies. The safety considerations could be of

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different natures – safety of human life, property etc. The

main source of concern for a safety manager could be through

the occurrences of the fire which can happen by means of

electrical short-circuit, kitchen and human carelessness.

4.0 INTELLIGENT ARCHITECTURE

In most cases, people often confuse intelligent buildings with

high-tech buildings. According to Pantelis. (2002), this is totally

wrong. An intelligent building is not just gadget-oriented. You

don‟t need a talking elevator or mail carts that wander through the

building on their own to have intelligent building. An intelligent

building must be designed to suit the present and future needs of

the occupants. It must easily and economically accommodate

change, have its basic elements integrated into a synergetic

whole, and above all, be cost effective. In reality, an intelligent

building reflects the knowledge and the intelligence of the

designers or planners

According to Bjorkdah. (1999), you cannot take a building and

make it intelligent, the building has to be designed "intelligent"

from the first draft on the drawing board. Far more than the

technical systems must be considered when designing an

intelligent building. An intelligent building is not only the

building itself and the systems installed into it. There must be a

commitment from the developer / owner that this is and will be

maintained as an intelligent building.

Intelligent architecture therefore precedes intelligent building. It

prepares the ground for intelligent building. Without intelligent

architecture, buildings will not be able to perform intelligently no

matter how complex the electronic gadget built into them. As an

analogy, giving human intelligence to an elephant will not turn it

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into human since it was not built as such. It does not have

fingers, so, to write will be difficult, because of its weight, to

pilot an aircraft will be impossible and even to laugh or smile like

man will be a futile exercise as the mouth is hidden behind the

tusk.

Modern buildings, (or as they are now-a-days called) „Intelligent

Buildings‟, must be designed from the beginning to economically

and gracefully accommodate whatever the near-term and long

term futures might bring. Intelligent architecture is therefore the

passive

intelligence while the computerized and electronic systems are

the active intelligence of the building. The higher the passive

intelligence, the higher the active intelligence the building can

accommodate. And the Architects‟ duty in the new dispensation

of achieving intelligent buildings is through intelligent

architecture in which he envisages, plans, designs and gets the

building passively ready for an effective and efficient

performance before electronic gadgets are installed to complete

the work. Figure 1 below shows the sequence of achieving

intelligent building. And this indicates that a building must first

be designed for the intelligence to be given to the building. The

passive intelligence (intelligent design) precedes the passive

intelligence (electronic inputs).

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5.0 FUTURE CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS IN

INTELLIGENT

BUILDINGS

While intelligent buildings may be the way forward for future

buildings, it is however now very necessary to know how far

things can go before we start making considerations on the

socio-political, ethical, legal, economic, environmental and health

implications of Intelligent Buildings. According to JM et al,

(2000b), from a social point of view, intelligent buildings are

more likely to attract clients due to their features, and this may

mean the closure of many existing buildings. Savings can be

made on energy consumption.

Fig 1: Sequence of Achieving Intelligent Buildings

Passive Intelligence-

Intelligent Architecture

Active Intelligence Electronic/Computerized

gadgets

Energy Efficiency (BAS, EMS) etc

Workstation Automation (Multi-

agent system)

Telecommunication

System

(Telecom equip)

Safety /Security

(Alarms, CLS etc)

INTELLIGENT

BUILDING

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Environmental issues: Environmental issues must also be taken

into consideration, as energy management will reduce gas

emissions. These facilities include features designed to protect

indoor air quality, maximize energy efficiency, reduce water

consumption, encourage alternative forms of transportation, and

promote pollution prevention.

Personal Intrusion: However, the carrying of smart cards about

or implanting smart chips into people‟s nervous system means

intruding into others privacy and identity. According to JM et al

ibid, “Could a computer tell the difference between everyday

thoughts and fantasies”?

Telecommuting and loneliness:. More people will probably

choose to work at home and so spend more time there. This can

give rise to increased isolation, something which telecommuters

feel today. With no contact with work colleagues, many lonely

people will meet even fewer people than before. In the long run

this can distance individuals from each other and create a feeling

of fear of meeting face to face.

Prospects of intelligent buildings

Upon all the above challenges, when many buildings become

intelligent, such will be linked in a network and this will lead to a

city becoming intelligent. Intelligent cities can also be linked to

form an intelligent country and which eventually lead to an

intelligent world.

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6.0 CONCLUSION

Rapid urbanization in recent years has caused cities to be

overcrowded and heavily polluted, resulting in more spatial

needs. Society's desperate attempt to resolve this problem comes

in the form of the high-rise buildings also known as the

skyscrapers. Large-scale buildings are therefore here to stay.

However, they do bring with them their share of problems that

need to be solved. Intelligent buildings provide better solution to

these problems. The technological aspect of such a system is

composed of operations that can be divided into four categories

of: Energy efficiency, Life safety systems, Telecommunication

systems and Workplace automation. It is believed that an ideal

intelligent building integrates all these four aspects into one

computerized system.

However, to optimize the workings of an intelligent building, the

concept has to be implemented from the building's conception,

the design phase. The design of the building will dictate the level

of efficiency that can be possible with the building.

An intelligent building must therefore be designed to suit the

present and future needs of the occupants. For Architects to be

relevant in the new dispensation they must bear it in mind that

these changes will bring about the issue of „who is who‟ in

Intelligent buildings‟ procurement and it is the most relevant,

better educated and the most experienced professional that will

take the lead. Policies and regulations to guide architects‟

involvement and roles should be planned now before being

sidelined.

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7.0 REFERENCES

Birgitta B (1999); Intelligent buildings – Good for the

Environment; The Delegation for Sustainable

Technology. pp 3.

Chapman A. (2004). Intelligent buildings design and building

management systems overview of 'intelligent buildings'

and 'intelligent homes' technologies.

Gary Mills technical content 2004, Alan Chapman edit, code and

design. www.businessballs.com Accessed on 26th

November, 2004

Coggan .D.A (2003b); Intelligent Buildings Simply Explained;

Montreal, Canada.

http://www.automatedbuildings.com/news/jul99/articles/c

oggan/coggan.htm. Accessed on 25th September, 2004.

Dewsbury G. (2003b), Intelligent of Smart Home Technology in

Intelligent uildings „Smart Thinking‟.

www.gdewsbury.ukideas.com Accessed on 30th

September, 2004.

JM et al (2000), Social, Legal and Ethical Considerations for

Intelligent Buildings,

Pantelis K. (2002), Intelligence in modern buildings. AET

Flexible Space News. www.FlexibleSpace.com. Accessed

on 15th August, 2003.

Bjorkdahl,.P. (1999). Implications & Challenges Facing the

Intelligent Building Industry. TA Control Pte Ltd,

www.AutomatedBuildings.com Accessed on 25th

September, 2004.

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Sinclair K (2000). Building Automation: Intelligent and

Integrated. http://www.automatedbuildings.com/.

Accessed on 25th September, 2004.