In the Netherlands, more and more buildings are becoming smart, either directly during new construction or during a renovation or transformation. The beauty is that smart buildings can 'talk' to each other to form a smart city together.
In the development of smart buildings, information technology and the building industry come together, integrating technology. Currently, installations and network infrastructure are still realised by two (or more) separate parties. In the coming years, this is likely to shift ever closer together.
Central system
A smart building requires an IP infrastructure aimed at controlling lighting, shading, office automation and climate control from one central point. By analysing the information coming in there, it is possible to determine how the building is used, and how much it consumes. This provides starting points for further optimising the installations and systems with smart techniques. Every building is different in terms of possibilities and conditions, but in principle, every building can be made 'smart'. The advantage of new buildings is, of course, that an IP structure can be constructed immediately. This makes management and possible expansion with new techniques or systems easy.
Smartphone indispensable
The purpose of a smart building is to improve the working and/or living environment. This can be done with smart innovative techniques that positively influence the performance and well-being of the building's users, but also provide new possibilities with regard to climate, light, energy consumption and the use of space. In a smart office building, employees can control things themselves, such as temperature, humidity, light, working sitting or standing. For example, desks remember the set height and proportions of employees. Sensors track occupancy in office gardens and meeting rooms, saving time and annoyance. This can also be applied in the corresponding parking garage of the smart office building, directing employees and visitors to a free space. In a smart building, the smartphone is indispensable. With it, users log in, are admitted, reserve a desk or room, open doors and a locker and you name it.
From smart building to smart city
In the Netherlands, more and more buildings are becoming smart, either as new construction or during a renovation or transformation. The beauty is that smart buildings can 'talk' to each other. And that can lead to a smart city where, for example, buildings indicate in which of the flex offices a workplace is still available. But the number of possibilities is enormous. The Netherlands has a good IT infrastructure to enable smart cities, but there are still too few smart buildings that provide data. One exception is Amsterdam, which, like Bristol and Barcelona, is one of the forerunners. Singapore goes a step further, that city-state wants to become the world's first smart nation. So what is so great about a smart city? The benefits are mainly in governance and management. There are gains to be made in administration, but also for libraries, hospitals, transport systems and gas, electricity and water. Making processes in the city more efficient improves the quality of life and reduces the distance between residents and the administration. Information becomes more important and systems work ever more closely together. Technology plays the leading role in all these developments. This means that installers will definitely have to deal with it and... it will generate work.
