Did you know that Smart Building Technology is transforming commercial real estate as we know it?  We know finding facts and figures about Smart Building Technology and Intelligent Buildings can be time-consuming and frustrating, so we put together this list of the top 101 facts, notes, and statistics so you can easily reference them and refer back to them any time in the future.  This space is constantly changing, so if you see a fact that is not up-to-date, feel free to let us know. And if you know a stat that we should add, let us know that too!

1. The availability of IoT-enabled smart building solutions that utilize connected sensors will continue to affect how smart building vendors rethink their business models to fully exploit this technology in 2020. 

*Smart buildings, on the other hand, present a specific set of problems that construction managers must consider when implementing a solution, such as the need to penetrate dense building materials.

2. Smart buildings use Internet of Things (IoT) devices—sensors, software, and online connectivity—to monitor various building characteristics, analyze data, and derive insights into usage patterns and trends that can be used to improve the building’s environment and operations. 

*Though smart technology allows you to have more control over your house, it is far more than just sophisticated “command and control” mechanisms (like your building management system, or BMS).

3. You have more control over how you run your HVAC system thanks to smart building technology. 

*By measuring CO2 levels in real time, it can guide your BMS to switch the HVAC on and off as needed during the day. The device automatically decreases the outside air intake if CO2 levels are below building guidelines. It brings in more outside air if CO2 levels are approaching the cap.

4. To help you strategize on how to minimize operational costs on a hot day, smart building analytics platforms will factor in data from energy providers and weather data, as well as your building’s HVAC operating data. 

*With this level of control over your HVAC system, you can save energy and money while still keeping your occupants happy.

5. IoT platforms can be used to track your existing energy use habits and analyze the data to produce tailored suggestions for reducing your energy usage if you’re trying to achieve sustainability goals. 

*It is possible to reach water-use reduction targets and increase indoor air quality in the same way.

6. Sensors that track your facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week will give you insight into how and when your facility uses electricity, which will help you save money on your energy bills. 

*Smart building data can be used to improve performance, reduce overall consumption, and even optimize building operations and equipment use.

7. You may use sensors to detect imminent failure by measuring different aspects of your vital equipment’s operation—humidity level, compressor vibrations, the temperature of the refrigerant going in and out of evaporators and condensers, the temperature within a refrigeration device, and so on. 

*When incoming data indicates that one part of the process has deviated from the standard, it’s a sign that something is about to fail. A breakdown can sometimes be avoided until it happens.

8. If you’re pursuing LEED or WELL certification, IoT platforms will assist you in gathering and analyzing building data so you can take the appropriate steps to meet the required requirements for water use, energy efficiency, and indoor environmental quality (air quality). 

*Smart building systems are also an excellent tool for reporting, inspecting, and reviewing performance over the life of a building to ensure long-term certification.

9. When it comes to smart buildings, connectivity is a critical component. 

*Most IoT systems use radio waves to link networks of sensors and relay data from one location to another. So, if you’re planning to implement an IoT solution, you should have a basic understanding of the network that will help your devices, as it has a significant effect on reliability and efficiency.

10. The area of smart buildings is inextricably connected to smart grids. 

*Smart buildings rely on a series of technologies to improve energy efficiency, user comfort, and building monitoring and security.

11. Smart Buildings have an incredible ability to bind people to technology. 

*Smart Building technology can not only help with facilities management, but it will also offer useful insights into how people use and appreciate the spaces in the building. Efforts to improve energy efficiency, building sustainability, and staff management will all be aided.

12. A smart structure may be as small as a 120-square-foot office or as large as a university campus. 

*Smart buildings, on the other hand, use technology to improve and aid the way the building is managed.

13. The majority of smart building solutions make use of IoT (Internet of Things) technology to link building systems that networked IoT sensors or devices. 

*This helps them to send and receive data between building systems, improving the building’s functionality.

14. Using smart construction techniques On a centralised hub, the Internet of Things allows you to access, manage, and track all of these linked building systems from anywhere. 

*This removes the need for time-consuming individual system management and allows it to be performed remotely.

15. Smart building IoT can also help with maintenance forecasting, reducing the need for needless replacements and facilities. 

*It can also give you a projected maintenance budget, rather than a sudden device failure that wasn’t factored into the month’s budget.

16. Occupancy sensors and other smart building systems have mostly been used to increase the performance of commercial and public buildings. 

*However, given the health and safety issues raised by COVID-19, their position has become crucial in addressing social distancing and hygiene concerns. Occupancy sensors assist in enforcing compliance with the emerging COVID-19 regulations while also assuring occupants that their protection is a top priority for the company.

17. Many smart building technologies, such as video/CCTV and WiFi monitoring, may be listed as privacy-protecting despite the use of intrusive sensing technologies. 

*The data transmitted by the sensor may be anonymous because it has been processed by the system, but it has still been collected, and third parties may be able to access it if the sensor has any security vulnerabilities.

18. There are various companies offering smart building services and solutions all over the world. 

*Integrated workplace management systems (IWMS), building automation and building management systems (BMS), and technologies designed to address or resolve unique problems are just a few examples.

19. The definition of smart buildings, or at least consideration of it, dates back to the early 1980s. 

*In a 1984 New York Times report, real estate developers were identified as creating “a new generation of buildings that almost think for themselves… called intelligent buildings.” A “marriage of two technologies—old-fashioned building management and telecommunications” was described as such a structure.

20. Smart building technology, including wiring to networks to HVAC, is most easily built during construction. 

*The greater incentive, however, is to add intelligent building technologies to the 5.6 million existing buildings in the United States, which is where Wi-Fi comes in.

21. Researchers are seeking ways to improve efficiency in office buildings and minimize tension in hospitals and other settings by mimicking circadian cycles with sensors that detect and activate lighting and thermal comfort regulation. 

*More research and product creation can be expected in the industry around the intersection of occupant biometric data and improved smart building operations.

22. Smart buildings in the hospitality industry include 4K video on demand, access control, energy management, and occupancy control. 

*They’re using a central dashboard and controls to link all of these features. The key is to keep redundancy to a minimum.

23. The conduct of building inhabitants is equally critical in ensuring the effectiveness of smart buildings. 

*Providing building residents with better knowledge on energy efficiency and other installed smart systems is critical to advancing the smart building ethos, regardless of where — and how quickly — technology leads the production and optimization of smart buildings. 

24. By linking electrical, mechanical, and electro-mechanical systems and platforms, the Internet of Things aids in the development of dynamic and intelligent cloud-based interoperable networks. 

*These systems can help track themselves and act when appropriate (e.g., switch down air-conditioning or heating needs in a little-used area) by interacting with one another, providing facility managers with the data and analytics they need to intelligently maximize efficiency and construct smarter buildings.

25. The Internet of Things is opening up tremendous possibilities for data collection and sharing, which will have a huge effect on how buildings are handled and run. 

*Devices are linked with software and services to realize these opportunities using a shared smart building IoT platform.

26. A computerized device can detect empty rooms in a building and switch off the lights in those areas.

*This technology can also be used by building managers to control lighting. Many rooms and parts of large buildings are vacant even during the day.

27. Drones perform a wide range of tasks that support their operators in a “smart” office room, retail center, or even a grocery store: They act as an additional collection of easily-maneuverable “eyes” that detect minute information and work at all hours of the day, from checking shelves for expired produce to inspecting hard-to-reach equipment such as rooftop machinery to detecting intruders at an office building. 

*Drones are also inexpensive, agile, and relatively simple to deploy.

28. Augmented reality (AR) is a live, replicated view of a real-world environment in which computer-generated sensory feedback is augmented.

*Augmented reality superimposes a non-existing object onto a view of one’s real, physical environment, usually using a camera and some kind of viewing device – such as a tablet, smartphone, or even eyeglasses.

29. When used in combination with BIM, AR technology is particularly useful for facilities management. Consider donning a pair of augmented reality glasses (such as the Microsoft HoloLens) while inspecting a plant room full of unknown electrical and mechanical equipment. 

*Your glasses, which are programmed with existing BIM models, allow you to see digital representations of each piece of equipment “hovering” over it, providing recognition and additional information. Written notes, alerts, implementation dates, and troubleshooting for issues are all examples of knowledge that can come in handy during outages or emergencies.

30. Although virtual reality is still not widely used in the facilities management industry, the technology has improved in recent years, making it more efficient and affordable.

*The possible advantages are numerous: Virtual reality equipment allows for dynamic quality tests, 3D internal design reviews, and even virtual walkthroughs.

31. The smart building industry is forecast to quadruple its previous market value of $7.45 billion in 2017, hitting a net worth of $33.7 billion by 2023, according to a study by Market Research Future. 

*The increasing pressure on companies to go “green” and reduce their overall energy usage – along with the added benefits of increased employee efficiency, simplified facilities management, and enhanced customer service – is likely to be the driving force behind this figure.

32. Smart building technology, particularly when combined with a Service Automation platform, can modernize the facilities management process, turning it into a strategic rather than an afterthought function for business operations.

*A highly integrated infrastructure with machine learning capabilities relieves facilities management teams of mundane, repetitive activities (such as manually combing through work orders) and enables them to focus on improving the customer, employee, and occupant experience. This has an immediate effect on sales, especially when it comes to brand uptime and asset management savings.

33. C-suite executives and facility managers must perform cost-benefit analysis of smart building technologies to fully comprehend the possible effects on operations and long-term business implications.

*Although the transition can be difficult at first, a “learn quick, fail fast” approach may help. After all, these inventions are becoming more intelligent by the day, and they are far more than a passing fad.

34. Tagging often adds to the amount of knowledge available on a device’s various points. 

*Tagging helps facility managers to collect more data by marking additional devices and points. Reduce false detection diagnostics by understanding the relationships between rooms and equipment, as well as how things work. It enables building managers to perform preventative maintenance. It does, however, necessitate policy changes about the amount of bandwidth needed, as well as security practices.

35. By automating point decisions and improving strategic perspectives, IP-enabled devices will aid intelligent decision-making.

*It improves data capacity, but there’s a catch: when distributing IP addresses, you must follow best practices in terms of security and bandwidth.

36. Hundreds of different types of portable office and miscellaneous equipment can be found in buildings as plug loads.

*Smart plug load controls are auto controlled receptacles and power strips that use time scheduling, motion sensing, or load detection to switch off power to equipment that is not in use in existing buildings. Smart power strips can detect the primary load, such as a monitor, and adjust the operation of peripheral devices accordingly. Plug load schedules can be programmed into lighting and building management systems for centralized control (BMS).

37. Distributed energy resources (DER) are energy generation and storage facilities that are installed at or near the point of use and provide electricity that is not supplied by the grid.

*Combination heat and electricity, solar photovoltaics and other renewables, and battery and thermal storage are all examples of DER.

38. A conventional building automation system (BAS) uses preset schedules and fixed points to monitor building operations, while automated system optimization (ASO) uses real-time feedback. 

*ASO employs information technology to capture and evaluate operational and energy efficiency data from building systems, as well as to make proactive improvements in operations based on external variables such as occupancy trends, weather forecasts, and utility prices.

39. Computer dashboards—user-friendly digital displays of building operations and energy use—allow operators to connect with a smart building.

*Dashboards enable the building operator to centrally monitor all building data and receive warnings when the ASO detects faults. IT experts and other operations staff will receive training in network management, data processing, and smart technology. Building occupants can monitor certain workspace features, such as lighting, using mobile apps. Apps will also show how much energy each occupant uses and suggest ways to save it.

40. The amount of solar heat and daylight that reaches the building is regulated by smart window systems. 

*Passive and active window glazing and films that react to changes in light or temperature, as well as auto-controlled shades that work at particular times of the day to regulate light levels and solar heat gain, are all part of the system. Smart shading technologies have the greatest energy-saving potential in retrofits in buildings with single-pane, untinted windows.

41. According to the British rating agency BREEAM, The Edge is the world’s greenest and most intelligent house.

*If you work in this house, it knows where you live, what kind of car you drive, and will lead you to the most convenient parking spot; it knows your daily schedule, and even how much sugar you want in your coffee.

42. At The Edge, no one is allocated a permanent desk position. Workspaces are allocated depending on the daily schedule and as needed: a sitting desk, a standing desk, a work booth, a conference room, a balcony seat, or a “concentration room.” And the building remembers your expectations for light and temperature as you arrive at these different stations during the day.

*Super-efficient LED panels that need such a small amount of energy that they can be powered by the same cables that carry data for the Internet are one of the building’s standout features.

43. The Green Mark Platinum Award was given to this 52-story office building for its construction design as well as its energy and water quality.

*The Capital Tower has a number of smart energy systems, including an air-conditioning energy recovery wheel system that allows cool air to be retrieved; motion detectors in the lobby and all bathrooms to save energy; double-glazed windows to reduce heat penetration and energy consumption; condensation from the air-handling unit to reduce water consumption; and constant monitoring of the building. A panoramic view of the Singapore skyline, a fitness center, a pool, childcare, and a variety of dining options are all available in this building.

44. The Glumac is East Asia’s first LEED Platinum v4 plant, as well as Asia’s first Living Building Certification for Net-Zero Energy, Water, and Carbon.

*This 6,000-square-foot office building is regarded as one of the continent’s most environmentally friendly structures.

45. With a total square footage of 24,010 square feet, this tenant-improved regional office supports DPR’s two core values: (1) individual respect and (2) the conviction that the world can be changed.

*You’ll find the following green features among the many others:

• San Francisco’s first official Net-Zero Building (NZEB).
• The project has been submitted for LEED Platinum certification.
• Photovoltaic (PV) panels that have been upgraded
• Solar thermal water heating system on the roof
• Ultra-energy efficient ceiling fans 8 solar-powered, automatic skylights over an atrium Electrochromic windows
• There are three living walls and a living wine bar.
• Reclaimed redwood and Douglas fir were used.
• Plumbing fixtures with ultra-low flow and flush

46. Energy conservation and a better working climate for workers were the design objectives for the Hindmarsh Shire.

*Hindmarsh Shire Council Corporate Centre. Melbourne is a city with a wide range of temperatures. The building has a number of underground thermal chambers and a ventilation system under the flooring to pull in fresh air from the outside to take advantage of this. The earth naturally cools and warms the air, which is then redistributed across the interior of the house. LED lighting systems use less electricity, and rooftop solar panels collect energy from the sun. Indoor air quality is improved by vertical green walls.

47. Wells Fargo owns this 51-story skyscraper called Duke Energy Center, which has earned the highest green certification: LEED Platinum. 

*This structure will recycle about 10 million gallons of water per year, which comes from groundwater, rainwater, and HVAC condensation. This recycled water meets about 80% of the tower’s water requirements and 100% of its irrigation requirements.

48. The Crystal Building is the world’s largest permanent display site dedicated to the research and construction of sustainable cities, as well as one of the world’s most sustainable structures.

It has no annual heating costs. It produces 70% less carbon dioxide. Its toilets recycle 100 percent of the water they use. It uses 46% less energy than any other building of comparable scale. It uses solar panels and ground heat pumps to produce its own electricity. It gathers rainwater to keep its bathrooms and irrigation system running smoothly.

49. Moffett Field, California, is home to NASA’s sustainable development foundation.

*This crescent-shaped structure features intelligent control technology inspired by the agency’s air safety program, which includes, among other things, air flight controls. This system was used to monitor various zones of the building as well as provide real-time data on traffic flows. The building was designed by William McDonough Partners, who are known for their innovative approach to permanent recycling technology. The materials used in the construction are either sustainable, recyclable, or recycled. In order to optimize the building’s energy efficiency, several other sensors and innovations have been installed.

50. Algenhaus is the first building in the world with a complete façade of bioreactors.

*It is located in Hamburg. This structure, which is jam-packed with technology, has a façade that both insulates and generates electricity. It does, in reality, contain algae, which produces biogas. Biogas may be used as a fuel or as a source of heat. It can also be processed and turned into energy or heat with the help of a motor. Biogas may also be used for a variety of other purposes.

The algae are suspended in a thin sheet of water placed between two sheets of glass, and they are continuously fed by a water circuit containing nutrients and CO2. Algae photosynthesise and multiply in a natural cycle with the aid of the sun’s rays. They are then used to manufacture the biogas in question after being harvested, isolated, and moved to a scientific chamber in a thick pulp (biomass) (methane).

51. The Bahrain World Trade Center is a modern take on conventional wind turbine towers, which are primarily used to harness the Arabian Gulf’s offshore winds.

*The shape of this smart building directs airflow through three 3-meter-diameter turbines aided by walkways connecting the two 240-meter towers. The turbines provide between 11 and 15% of the energy needed by the buildings.

52. The ZCB Mansion is the world’s first “zero carbon” home, combining passive design features with high-energy-efficiency active systems like HVLS fans (high-volume, low-speed), a chilled beam air-conditioning system, and intelligent control systems that can minimize energy needs by 25%.

*The building’s current energy supply is adequate for its own needs, but it is now looking to go beyond carbon neutrality by generating even more electricity. 

53. The BEPAD device (Building Environmental Performance Assessment Dashboard) shows data in real time and measures the building’s environmental performance, including general energy use, water use, room occupancy, indoor air quality, and more.

*The BMS (Building Management System) is in charge of these, which collects data from 2,800 detection points spread across the structure.

54. The Al Bahr Towers, which are equipped with a dynamic shading system that is designed to minimize solar gain by 50%, push the boundaries of dynamic architecture.

*The façade is outfitted with a device that is modeled after conventional mashrabiya but is computerized to respond to changing weather conditions. The mashrabiya is a forced natural ventilation system that is commonly used in traditional Arab architecture. The wind is accelerated by the surface reduction caused by the mashrabiya’s latticework. The wind is then blown onto wet surfaces, such as basins or dishes filled with water, which distributes cool air in the house.

55. A network-based refrigerator system with sensors is a big blessing for any company with large-scale operations. 

*They render activities more comfortable while also lowering costs. You can protect yourself from significant losses caused by rotting or unusable goods.

56. With scientific equipment and an array of sensors to calculate, store, and report building results, The Frontier Project was an early integrator of smart building concepts and host to today’s IoT.

*The project was a site-based solution with comprehensive bio-climatic sensitivity integration that enabled the environment to inform the design process and become a life-long learning partner for both our firm and the community.

57. Energy quality is one of the most significant advantages of smart buildings.

*As part of their running costs, most buildings spend a significant amount of money on energy usage. It may be as much as a third of the overall operating budget.

58. By taking control of the internal or external conditions, smart buildings will save electricity.

*They keep track of energy use to ensure that it is used efficiently at all times. As a result, smart systems will help you achieve greater productivity and lower costs.

59. Lower consumption is a natural result of increased productivity. You can reduce energy consumption by 30 to 35 percent by optimizing systems such as HVAC and grid power balancing. 

*Intelligent buildings can also use renewable energy sources to reduce traditional energy usage even further. When you choose an intelligent house, you can always expect a significant return on investment.

60. Sensors in smart buildings track energy parameters in real time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

*The data can be used by building managers to assess and enhance energy efficiency. The information is centralized and accessible for energy audits. Accurate data on consumption and expenditure habits can be obtained, allowing for more effective audits.

61. Building managers’ headaches are greatly reduced thanks to centralized data and automated systems. Precision-integrated systems can help you increase the performance value of your house.

*Building activities are also streamlined because you don’t have to worry about managing multiple different systems.

62. A converged network improves productivity by centralizing IT resource management and reducing the amount of hardware required, as well as creating a system that can scale in terms of flexibility and performance.

*Convergence is also the foundation for large-scale data processing that is both cost-effective and reliable.

63. Visioning is the first step in the client interaction process for smart building projects.

*This is significant because various clients interpret the phrase “smart building” differently. The goal of visioning is to understand or create the goals and organizational pain points for the client’s organization — not just their building or staff, but the whole company.

64. The secret sauce for creating a smart city is the autonomous smart house.

*The strategic chess pieces that make up the base of our truly smart cities are autonomous smart buildings.

65. A smart city is a digital environment that is enabled by ICT and in which all major services and establishments are digitalized and linked.

*They collaborate to create a healthy, stable, clean, and productive environment for the city’s residents and visitors.

66. Intelligent building analytics will help you manage your activities and increase productivity.

*Although the Internet of Things produces vast amounts of data, rigorous analytics are needed to make that data useful.

67. Multi-layered analytics use data from equipment, sensors, and components for more valuable fault detection and diagnostics.

*Real-time and historical data are aggregated according to smart rules and used to both provide context to alarms and suggest solutions.

68. With AI/ML, software can monitor and uncover patterns within large datasets and accelerate processes that may otherwise take much longer for a human being to review and decode.

*This has exciting implications for building management.

69. Some of the most important advantages of IoT technologies are hardware and software that allow for the automation of key building functions.

*Automation systems that are well-designed reduce the need for manual involvement, improve operational efficiency, and are perfect for achieving energy-related goals.

70. Dashboards are a valuable tool for making sense of data from a variety of IoT devices because they are flexible and interactive.

*Building operating systems are brought together in a single, web-accessible gui by visual, custom-configured dashboards.

71. Remote connectivity enabled by the Internet of Things and smart building trends allows service contractors and facility teams to monitor and troubleshoot systems without having to be physically present.

*With the growth of the Internet of Things, there is a greater need for increased coordination with service providers to ensure secure network connectivity and user authentication strategies for integrated building systems.

72. IoT devices and cloud-hosted applications that connect to the BMS can be used together in a single framework thanks to open protocol support.

*Instead of being limited to, or having to work around, the range of tools available from vendors using proprietary protocols, you can create a customized management interface from a combination of IoT devices based on your needs using open protocols.

73. Data can flow continuously from equipment and computers to a central database and centralized reporting system if automated data collection is enabled in your building’s operating systems.

*As a result, you’ll have easy insight into every integrated system and its problems, allowing you to clearly identify a course of action for operational changes that need to be made in your building to enhance comfort or performance.

74. You can collect actionable data from a wide variety of construction equipment by using the right network-connected sensors and devices.

*Just a few of the variables that can be calculated and, more importantly, compared are presence identification, occupancy numbers, temperature, humidity, lighting, and energy usage.

75. Models of what is happening in a building can now be created using advanced machine learning. An analytics framework can learn how a building works over time using AI/ML.

*Detecting unnecessary energy consumption, recognizing energy savings opportunities, preemptively alerting you to device and system failures before they occur, and recommending solutions to operational issues with minimal human involvement are all examples of AI/ML pattern recognition applications.

76. You can take full advantage of smart building IoT solutions that streamline processes, monitor costs, and maximize assets with an advanced analytic platform like onPoint Analytics.

*OnPoint is at the forefront of building data analytics as a stable edge-to-cloud service that combines cutting-edge features like machine learning and 4D insights with user-friendly reporting.

77. A digital twin is a digital representation of both the elements and dynamics of how an IoT system works in a physical space, as well as its interconnections.

*A digital twin must apply analytics at every step by definition, and advanced analytics can be used to dynamically recalibrate to its environment. It feeds off data and improves as it processes more, allowing all IoT data to be used in applications such as buildings.

78. Smart building technology will be combined with smart city systems in the near future, saving lives by instantly alerting first responders to security lockdowns, building fires, and medical emergencies.

*Smart city deployments, on the other hand, should concentrate on the technology’s purpose rather than its capabilities in order to maximize outcomes.

79. In the coming days, the new 5G cellular network and high-speed fiber optics-based networking will help smart city applications mature and become more feature-rich.

*One of the most important requirements for providing high-speed and large-volume data transmission and thereby achieving the smart city solution is network infrastructure.

80. Many controllers, switches, and electronic hardware can be found in modern buildings.

*For automation and control of mission-critical building functions such as HVAC, lighting, protection, CCTV surveillance, fire alarms, and elevators, these components depend on wired networks. Building automation has long been governed by proprietary protocols, posing the problem of siloed systems. Nonetheless, open-standard Ethernet/IP-based cabling and Power over Ethernet solutions have easily surpassed them.

81. A new breed of low-power machine-to-machine networking, with low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) at the forefront, enables this form of large, granular system link.

*To effectively cater to large-scale deployments of battery-operated IoT sensors, LPWAN brings together a unique combination of high energy performance, excellent range and penetration capacity, as well as ease of installation and management.

82. The next breakthrough in commercial real estate is expected to be smart building technology.

*Following the Covid-19 pandemic, adoption is expected to be much faster than before. As companies cautiously reopen their doors, maintaining a healthy and clean built environment for tenants’ peace of mind has become a top CRE priority. That’s where the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart building technologies come in.

83. VR data can also be imported and used for repair and upkeep in facility management applications.

*Several startups have already begun experimenting with VR in the FM space: IrisVR, based in New York, for example, offers two solutions (desktop software and a mobile app) that incorporate 3D BIM models into VR to provide 1:1 scale collaboration and design review opportunities.

84. Building designs should represent the needs of the company both now and in the future.

*Understanding the company’s vision, needs, and future requirements is the first step in proving the importance of advances introduced by future buildings. The purpose and role of the building in the company will determine the design, not aesthetics.

85. The return on investment (ROI) of a smart building is much more complicated than just financial gains.

*It would necessitate a more thorough, holistic, and comprehensive ROI analysis, which will take into account energy savings, tax incentives, and non-financial benefits including increased employee efficiency and health. Although these non-monetary benefits cannot be measured in terms of dollars and cents, they provide a significant and real return on the company’s investment.

86. Climate change and rapid population growth are putting our natural resources in jeopardy, making sustainability one of the most important considerations when planning future buildings.

*Smart buildings will live off the grid and create self-sustaining ecosystems, allowing them to generate energy and capture and treat water on site, thanks to advanced technologies.

87. A building’s technologies should be seamlessly integrated. It should just work without any explanations.

*The aim of smart buildings is for them to be able to self-manage, learn, predict, and adapt without the intervention or acknowledgment of their users. Sensors and monitors can easily and automatically change room temperatures, lighting, shading, electricity, and water consumption.

88. When implemented, technologies like AI and IoT need minimal to no technical expertise from facility managers because they make many decisions for you and present all of the reports and recommendations in a highly intuitive and interactive dashboard.

*In reality, since a smart building solution provides more details, it is easier than ever to optimize building operations, fix a recurring equipment failure, and reduce carbon footprint.

89. Although the characteristics of smart and green buildings can overlap, they are not the same thing.

*Smart building technologies track heating, air conditioning, lighting, and other systems in order to deduce usage trends and take proactive measures to reduce energy use and save money. The aim of a smart building solution, also known as connected buildings, is to improve the experience and comfort of those who use it. Green buildings, on the other hand, are environmentally friendly structures that help us conserve the majority of the natural world around the structure.

90. LEED is one of the most well-known green building rating systems, offering a framework for creating energy-efficient and cost-effective green structures.

*Green buildings are constructed and operated in such a way that they foster a sustainable environment in various areas such as water, soil, electricity, and other resources.

91. Even if old buildings use pneumatic and analog technology, smart building solutions can be introduced in them with the help of successful retrofit technologies.

*Data can be sent to the IoT cloud for further processing and intelligence generation by embedding sensors and connecting through gateways.

92. There are a variety of IoT and AI-based smart home applications available; however, they are not limited to residential settings.

*Using IoT and AI, any form of building, whether commercial or residential, can be retrofitted or designed to become smart and highly automated.

93. By optimizing infrastructure and automating controls, smart buildings are unquestionably one of the most effective ways to save energy.

*It is important that we embrace emerging technology and make every effort to make the planet a better place in order to achieve a low-carbon economy.

94. The decade of data can be seen as the 2020s, with 5G telecommunications networks in progress and sensors embedded all over us as part of the Internet of Things (IoT).

*That is certainly true of the most recent generation of office, leisure, and civic buildings in which we work, study, relax, and live.

95. The smart building market is projected to expand at a rate of 12% annually by 2026, according to a study by market research firm Fortune Business Insights.

*Data from smart building systems is already assisting in energy conservation through lighting and HVAC power. It can, however, help with productivity and employee retention.

96. People, structures, and external elements all communicate with smart buildings. They gain knowledge from previous interactions as well as real-time inputs.

*They increase comfort, productivity, resiliency, and protection while adapting to the needs of the people and businesses within them. Today, there is a new requirement: citizens must be protected from COVID-19.

97. The data capabilities of smart buildings, combined with building automation, allow remote operations, which is similar to understanding how technology can help remote working environments regardless of one’s location.

*This has proved to be useful in the event of a pandemic. It enables the building operator to monitor the building remotely for optimum effect on energy usage, cost savings, and carbon emissions reduction. The ability of the building operator to access all data remotely can be enhanced by using a building twin.

98. Cities and sectors can be transformed by smart infrastructure. However, accelerating technological transformation would necessitate private investment, as well as a variety of funding models for emerging technologies.

*Financing plays a key role in helping buildings – from hospitals and schools to industrial and government buildings – leverage renewable resources for development and innovation while gaining future-proof technical benefits, from intelligent building systems to energy conservation technologies.

99. Schneider Electric and Cisco have developed a solution that allows multiple Schneider Electric EcoStruxure Building IP architecture topologies to be integrated with existing building layouts by connecting Schneider’s SmartX IP Controllers via Cisco industrial Ethernet switches.

*According to Schneider and Cisco, the combined solution meets system availability requirements upon implementation, saving customers time and money. It can also implement identity-based security policies on network infrastructure, as well as segment, detect, and mediate cyberattacks as they happen.

100. Smart concrete (a combination of carbon fibres and concrete) can detect minute structural defects and is used in smart structures.

*Smart concrete, in contrast to traditional concrete, has greater capacity and strength. It can be used for electromagnetic shielding and to improve concrete’s electrical conductivity.

101. Smart construction materials, also known as intelligent materials, active materials, or adoptive materials, are those that have the ability to react in a useful and regulated manner to changes in their condition or the environment to which they are exposed.

*Mechanical stress/strain, electrical/magnetic fields, or changes in temperature, moisture, pH, and light are all examples of inputs that cause changes in smart material properties.

Sources:

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2. https://www.iotacommunications.com/blog/smart-building/

3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/intelligent-buildings

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21. https://servicechannel.com/blog/7-smart-building-technologies/

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