Smart Building: Definition, Advantages & Areas of Application

We live in a time where everything is getting smarter and smarter – even buildings. We are talking about so-called smart buildings, which are intended to provide even more control over working and living spaces. But what exactly is a smart building, what advantages does it offer, and where is it used? This article provides the answers.

What is a smart building?

A smart building German is a building in which intelligent technologies are networked to take living and working to the next level. The goals of smart buildings include increasing user comfort, saving energy and  making operations safer.

Smart buildings combine various technologies that initially stood on their own. Approaches of digitization and the Internet of Things are  used. Safety, sustainability and comfort are brought into harmony holistically.

Systems and devices exchange data and information with each other. In this way, the greatest possible added value is created for building users. But attention is also paid to the environment – smart buildings contribute a lot to the sustainability of buildings.

Advantages of Smart Buildings at a Glance

• More efficiency
• Overview of consumption and other operations
• Increased sustainability
• Increased comfort

Areas of application of smart buildings

Smart buildings offer a lot of advantages, which is why they are actively used. Whether it's a smart office, an airport, a shoppingmor a medical facility such as a hospital, smart buildings ensure more efficient processes and greater safety in all situations.

However, residential buildings are also becoming smarter. While smart homes are already part of the basic equipment in many new buildings, the smart building is the further development. Although it is not yet implemented by many private individuals, individual components are now being adopted so that one's own home can become smarter and smarter.

Solutions for the Smart Building

Even if a building is not yet completely smart, it can become so over time. There are many solutions that can be implemented gradually to make a building smarter and smarter. A lot of different processes benefit from this.

1. ‍Temperature control: In smart buildings, humidity and room temperature can be intelligently controlled. With the help of sensors, the ambient conditions can be measured in real time. On this basis, heating and air conditioning systems are adapted so that the indoor climate becomes pleasant and energy can be saved.
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2. Automated surveillance systems: safety first. Video cameras and security systems that are holistically networked make it possible to act correctly and quickly in an emergency. Potential threats such as burglaries and fires can be averted quickly and confidently.
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3. Energy-efficient building technology:Smart buildings rely on innovative technologies, including photovoltaic systems, smart meters and heat pumps. These are intended to optimize energy consumption and make the use of renewable energies more efficient.
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4. Smart lighting systems: In smart buildings, lighting can automatically adapt to daylight. Here, too, special sensors are used to collect data, on the basis of which the illuminance and light color can be adjusted. On the one hand, this contributes to energy efficiency. On the other hand, user comfort and productivity are increased.
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5. Room automation: Rooms can be automatically adapted to the needs of the users. The lighting, temperature and air quality in a smart building therefore vary depending on the number of people present.
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6. Smart access systems: Smart buildings rely on advanced access control systems. With electric locking systems, building owners take security to the next level. Users can conveniently gain access to the rooms for which they have authorization using a transponder, an app or biometric data. In this way, you always have a full overview of the people present.

Technologies in Smart Buildings

For a smart building to be truly intelligent, practical and efficient, a number of different technologies must be used. As a rule, cloud solutions are combined with artificial intelligence and IoT approaches.

A smart building is often based on a so-called digital twin. Artificial intelligence and cloud solutions are very helpful in creating a representation of a building on a digital level. A digital twin helps to monitor all plants and systems in a smart building. Here, all relevant data is collected and brought together in a virtual room.

In order to collect certain data and allow devices to react accordingly, sensors are usually used in a smart building. These are there to collect information from the environment so that it can subsequently be used. A distinction is made between

• Acoustic Sensors
• Pressure
• Magnetic Sensors
• Radar sensors and
• 3D image sensors.

Depending on the area of application and the user's preference, different types of sensors are suitable. Therefore, a smart building can usually be personalized to a certain extent.

Cyberattacks: a threat to smart buildings?

Anyone who deals with the internet and other technologies knows that there is such a thing as cyberattacks and attacks. Since corresponding technologies are also used in a smart building, many assume that there are potential dangers from cyberattacks here as well. But how much do you have to worry about that?

Basically, if you rely on a high-quality and secure system and make regular updates, you are on the safe side. Problems usually arise with inferior digital products, from which it is better to keep your distance.

Since experienced manufacturers of smart home solutions or electronic locking systems such as BlueID rely on high security standards, these are preferable to providers who do not rely on appropriate encryption and security measures.

Is a smart building therefore safe? This question is easy to answer: If you choose the right providers and products, you will get a safe and reliably functioning smart building.

Conclusion

The smart building is the further development of the smart home and brings many advantages in terms of comfort, security and sustainability. Holistic networking requires a number of technical components, which should be chosen according to the needs of the users and the type of building. It is also important to pay attention to the quality and safety standards of the devices and systems used. In this way, a smart building protects itself from cyberattacks, so that nothing stands in the way of safe use.

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