Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World

INTELLIGENT BUILDING NEW ERA OF TODAYS WORLD

Darsh Belani1, Ashish H. Makwana2, Jayeshkumar Pitroda3, Chetna M. Vyas4
Final Year Student, ME C E & M., BVM Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India 1
Final Year Student, ME C E & M., BVM Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India 2
Assistant professor, Civil Engineering Dept., BVM Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India 3
Assistant professor, Civil Engineering Dept., A.D. Patel Institute of Technology, New Vallabh Vidyanagar,
Gujarat, India 4

Abstract: A building that uses both technology and process to create a facility that is safe,
healthy and comfortable and enables productivity and well-being of its occupants. With lots
of energy crisis in todays world now its important for architects, engineers and construction
managers to make buildings which are energy efficient and intelligent by its functions and as
well as its usage, too. Technologies applied in intelligent buildings will improve the building
environment and functionality for occupants, while reducing operational costs. Smart or
clever buildings, perhaps focus on control systems, but intelligent buildings go far beyond
this. An intelligent building has an implicit logic that effectively evolves with changing user
requirements and technology, ensuring continued and improved intelligent operation,
maintenance and optimization. It exhibits key attributes of environmental sustainability to
benefit present and future generations. An intelligent building system concept recognizes that
the true cost of the building is not its cost of construction; it must include the operating and
maintenance costs over the structures life span. Intelligent buildings yield cost reductions
over all these areas by optimizing energy use through automated control, communication and
management systems. They also guard against repair costs, employee time, productivity loss,
revenue loss and the loss of customers to competitors. Now a day, all heard of sickbuilding syndrome and the misery this can inflict in the workplace in terms of poor health
and lost production. The notion of the Intelligent Building is the modern civil engineer's Big
Idea in tackling these and other such deficiencies. The intelligent building can adapt itself to
maintain an optimized environment. An intelligent building must be smart enough to vary the
environment to suit the users and also to provide various means of communication or
network regardless of whether it is internal or external. At an even more fundamental level
intelligent buildings can cope with social and technological change and also are adaptable to
human needs. This paper provides a review of research era in the area of Intelligent Building
with case studies.
Keywords: Human needs, Intelligent buildings, Modern civil engineer, Technologies

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29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh

Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World
I.

INTRODUCTION

A. Definition
An intelligent building can be defined as the building that combines the best available
concepts, designs, materials, systems and technologies in order to provide an interactive,
adaptive, responsive, integrated and dynamic intelligent environment for achieving the
occupants' objectives over the full life span of the building.
B. Overview of Intelligent Building
An Intelligent Building provides a productive, cost effective environment through the
optimization of structure, systems, services and management as well as the interrelationship
between them. It integrates various systems (such as lighting, heating, air conditioning, voice
and data communication and other building functions) to effectively manage resources in a
coordinated mode to maximize occupant performance, investment and operating cost, savings
and flexibility. They yield cost reductions over all these areas by optimizing energy use
through automated control, communication and management systems during its cost post
construction phase. They also guard against repair costs, employee time, productivity loss,
revenue loss and the loss of customers to competitors.
Intelligent buildings transcend integration to achieve interaction, in which the various
independent systems work collectively to optimize the building's performance and constantly
create an environment that is most conducive to the occupants goals. Additionally, fully
interoperable systems in intelligent buildings tend to perform better, cost less to maintain, and
leave a smaller environmentalism print than individual utilities and communication systems.
The tasks that can be efficiently managed by an intelligent building include: power,
security, fire alarm, fire-fighting, air conditioning, diesel generator, water supply, solar
power, solar water heating, access control and lighting. It also helps service engineers to track
the maintenance schedule of machinery and equipment.
An intelligent building helps an organization to fulfil its objectives by facilitating the
management of the resources and thereby increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the
organization. Nowadays, high quality of the intelligent building enables organizations
(institutions) unhindered and efficient operation, growth, organizational restructuring, proper
social relations (ease of space arrangement), not to mention a high level of safety, healthy
internal environment, long-lasting aesthetic values and cost efficiency. Thus, modern
intelligent buildings should fulfil all these requirements.

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Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World

The use of integrated and managed building control systems with technological
awareness to create healthy and sustainable environment which is flexible, comfortable,
productive, work efficient, secure and cost effective to satisfy the stakeholders needs while
reducing energy and water consumption. This is being driven by conditions such as
sustainability, stakeholders' expectations and the shifting culture towards value rather than
initial cost so that quality and whole life costs are taken into account.
C. Fundamentals for Development of Intelligent Buildings

Cost Effectiveness

End User
Satisfaction

Integration of
Building Services

Responsiveness to
changes (Flexibility)

THREE CONDITIONS OF SATISFACTION OF INTELLIGENT BUILDING

1) The building should have advanced automatic control system to monitor various
II.

facilities, including air-conditioning, temperature, lighting, security, fire, etc. to provide a

comfortable working environment for the tenants.
2) The building should have good networking infrastructure to enable data flow between
floors.
3) The building should provide adequate telecommunication facilities.

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29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh

Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World
III. FACTORS AFFECTING CRITERIAS OF INTELLIGENT BUILDING

Figure 1: Factors affecting Criterias of Intelligent Building

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29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh

Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World

1) CR - Construction Requirement
SLCM - Sourcing Local Construction Materials
EUW - Efficient Use of Water
WEL - Water Efficient Landscaping
MT - Materials: ash bricks, aluminium, frames, glass, Low VOC paint,
and CRI certified Carpeting
2) EC - Environment Control EC
QUDL - Optimum Use of Day Light
MAQ-Maintaining Air Quality
NAF - Natural Air Flow
IA - Installation Air
HU - Handling Unit
CAE - Controlled Air Exhaust
ULCL - Use of LED and CFL Lighting ULCL
3) WM - Water Management
RWH - Rain Water Harvesting
WEPF - Water Efficient Plumbing and Fixtures
WTR & MD - Water Treatment, Recycling & Minimal Disposal
4) DW-Disposal Waste
SWCS - Solid Waste Control Strategies
IP - Ingress Protection: Preventing dust and the external
elements from entering the building
SNBDD - Separation of non-bio degradable disposables
GWH - Gray Water Handling
5) IBA - Intelligent Building Aspects
EEBS - Energy Efficient Building Services
IM - Information Management
BAS - Building Automation System
SI - System Integration
CWS & ND - Communication Wiring System & Network Design
FM - Facility Management
IBT & D - Intelligent Building Technology & Design
TM - Technology Management
6) IBM-Integrating Building Management
EM - Energy Management
AM - Alarm Monitoring
HS - HVAC System
PSS - PLC SCADA Software
LC - Lighting Control
LM - Lift Management

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29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh

Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World
IV. ELEMENTS OF INTELLIGENT BUILDING

Fly ash based

Concrete Walls

Aerated Concrete
Blocks

High Performance
Glass

Building integrated
Photo Voltaic

Living Walls

Motion Sensors

Light Pipes

CO2 Sensor

Smoke Detector

Intelligent Building
Managemet System
(IBMS) Control Room

V. INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS A POSSIBLE CONCEPT FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

Sewage
Treatment
Plant

Solar Parking

Waterless
Urinals

Solar Awnings

Dual Flush
System

Water Efficient
Landscaping

Energy
Efficient
Appliances

Aerated Water
Taps

Inland
Vegetation

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29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh

Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World
VI. CHARACTERISTICS OF INTELLIGENCE FOR INTELLIGENT BUILDING

Automation

Build

Monitor

VII.

Energy efficient
Building services
with proper
selection of
Equipment

Communication
Wiring system and
Network Design

Maintain

Control

DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF INTELLIGENT BUILDING

Information
Management

Building
Automation System

System Integration

Facility
Management

Intelligent Building
Technology and
Design

Technology
Maintenance

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29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh

Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World

VIII.

APPLICATIONS OF INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS

Figure 2: Applications of Intelligent Buildings

IX. COMPARISON BETWEEN INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS AND ORDINARY BUILDINGS
SN.

Intelligent Building

Ordinary Building

Intelligent building adjusts the inside functional aspects

such
1.

as

lighting,

ventilation,

fire-fighting,

air

conditioning, etc. automatically with the changes in

environmental conditions controlled by computer.

2.

3.

Ordinary building there will be different room conditions

depending

on

the

changes

in

the

environmental

conditions.

In an Intelligent Building, the security system,

In

an

Ordinary

Building,

the

security

system,

communication system, etc. are coordinated and

communication system, etc. are not coordinated and

automatically controlled by computer work station.

automatically controlled by computer work station.

The cost of construction of an Intelligent Building is

The cost of construction of Ordinary Building is low as

very high as compared to an ordinary building.

compared to an ordinary building.

The development cost of an Intelligent Building is 8 10% higher than that of an ordinary building.
4.

But this can be justified by the resulting energy saving,

which is only 25 35% of the energy required by

The cost of construction of Ordinary Building is low as

compared to an ordinary building.

normal building.

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29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh

Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World
X.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

A. Advantages
Environmental Benefits

Economic Benefits

Social Benefits

Enhance and protect

biodiversity and
ecosystems
Improve air and water
quality
Reduce waste streams
Conserve and restore
natural resources

Reduce operating costs

Create, expand, and
shape markets for green
product and services
Improve occupant
productivity
Optimize life-cycle
economic performance

Enhance occupant
comfort and health
Heighten aesthetic
qualities
Minimize strain on
local infrastructure
Improve overall quality
of life

B. Disadvantages
In spite of many benefits, the main barriers to the promotion and acceptance of
intelligent buildings can be attributed to the lack of:

Financial Resources

Confidence to undertake
new and untested
technologies

Knowledge of developers
and owners on the
environmental impact of
inefficient buildings

Professional capacity to
incorporate and manage
intelligent technologies

Institutional structures
need to encourage and
support uptake of such
technologies

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29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh

Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World
XI. CASE STUDIES OF INTELLIGENT BUILDING

A. Case Study 1 [ Forum Mall, Bengaluru]

[a]

[b]
Figure 3: Forum Mall, Bangalore
Source: http://www.constructionworld.in/News.aspx?nId=JjDft4lL3daEe1VT5gZ7Tg==

1) Forum Mall Intelligent Building Details:

Floor Area: 3, 50, 000 Sq. ft. (plus 3, 00, 000 Sq. ft. parking)
Developer: Prestige Group
Intelligence Provided: Building Management System (BMS)
BMS Provider: Trend Control Systems, Honeywell

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29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh

Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World

2) Details of Forum Mall:

350,000 Sq. ft. of people

300,000 Sq. ft. of parking

Dual Entrance

Shoppertainment-Ground+4

Parking: Basement, Surface

Each parking level has

Floors

+ multi-level parking

direct access to respective

spread

floors
Premium Finishes

Centrally Air-conditioned

100% generator backup

Wide walkways

Visitor comfort zones on

State of the art vertical

each floor

transportation

Uniform visibility

Staff comfort zones

Over 800 car parks

Intelligent Parking System

Facilities Management

Floor to ceiling height of

System

3.9m

Tele-connectivity

Specific parking for autos

Flat slab construction

and tour buses

Round the clock security

Efficient freight handling

Managed indoor air quality

3) Project Details:
Forum Mall, Bengaluru, India is fitted with a computerized building management system
that senses where the maximum footfalls are leading and increases the cooling and
ventilation in those areas.
The sensors channels the information to the controllers of the HVAC (heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning, Climate control) systems, which respond accordingly.
Sensors and controllers thus help to optimize the consumption of energy by using
networks to relay intelligent inputs detailing the attributes of the physical environment to
building services systems.
4) Result achieved:
Improved operational efficiency of the entire system with energy savings of 8 to 10%.

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Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World

B. Case Study 2 [Ebene Cyber Tower One, Mauritius]

Figure 4: Ebene Cyber Tower One, Mauritius

Source: http://www.constructionworld.in/News.aspx?nId=JjDft4lL3daEe1VT5gZ7Tg==

1) Management Committee:
Architect: C R Narayana Rao (CRN)
Intelligence Provided: Integrated Building Management System
Provider: Race Technologies
Cost of System: 1.75 to 2 Crore for the Building Management Systems (BMS)
2) System Details
Ebene Cyber City, Mauritius was awarded the Intelligent Building of the year by the
Intelligent Community Forum, USA in 2005. It uses an Integrated Management System
conceived and designed by C. R. Narayana Rao (CRN) and implemented by Race
technologies.

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Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World

Comprehensive Integration

Integration

of all utilities, including ventilation

HVAC

automation

and

of An energy metering system

exhaust for accurate tenant billing

and system to fire and other for power consumed by

scheduling as per clients systems.

various elements like UPS,

requirement.

lighting, air-conditioning.

Integration

of

Fire Comprehensive

Alarm System, Fire Fighting Control

and Public Address System.

Access

System

Turnstile

barriers

to

with regulate access in secure

integration of CCTV and areas.

Surveillance.
Safety,

security

integration with on site and

remote monitoring.
Central telecom network

Electrical
monitoring

systems Lighting
and

management

metering systems

systems
System with automation of Monitoring
pumps

of

Vertical Emergency

transportation System

Voice

Communication System for

Evacuation

CONCLUSION
From this research work, following conclusion are drawn:
XII.

There can be possible aspiration to provide an optimized solution of sustainability and

intelligence that will help the agenda of living in a healthy, comfortable, and
technologically advanced world.
From a practical perspective, it can provide a way for developers or design teams to
value sustainability of intelligent systems and lay emphasis on a sustainable design
strategy. It can help set up industry standards in the future, which clients can refer to and
decide the best suited intelligent green design for their organizational needs.
It can also help to enhance the productivity and effectiveness of organizations by
optimizing energy consumption, increase user satisfaction, minimize operating costs, and
address key environmental issues.
So, an intelligent building can use both technology and process to create a facility
towards safe, healthy and comfortable and enables productivity and well-being of its
occupants. And it can also exhibits key attributes of environmental sustainability to
benefit present and future generations.

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Conference on: Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Todays Transforming World

Though intelligent buildings have a positive impact on the environment, people and
economy, there can be still a wide scope for enhancement. Owing to the continuous,
evolving technological progress that intelligent buildings can be a part of demands
further exploration.
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[19] Services for Energy Management, Fourth International Symposium on the Management of Industrial and
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