5.1. Intelligent to Smart Buildings

The term, ‘Intelligent building’, is often used commonly to imply and ‘Smart building’, but their definitions have been evolving with time, since the 1980s when the term was first used to mean “a building which totally controls its own environment” (Stubbings, 1988). This equated the building to its BMS and other smart systems, with the intent to reduce human interaction.

The concept of 'Intelligent Buildings' dates back to the 1980s, referring to buildings that manage their environment autonomously, using systems such as Building Management Systems (BMS). Over time, the terminology has evolved, and now 'Smart Buildings' is more commonly used. While both terms imply advanced technology in building management, 'Smart Buildings' emphasizes additional features beyond simple control, aiming for a more interactive and responsive environment for occupants.

Imagine a car that can drive itself without human input. Initially, vehicles were designed to require full control by the driver, much like 'Intelligent Buildings' only manage their environment. However, modern vehicles have become 'Smart Cars' with features that adapt to traffic conditions and provide real-time feedback to enhance comfort and safety, similar to how Smart Buildings interact with their occupants.

However, the two terms are complementary, as it may be argued that Smart Buildings are Intelligent Buildings but with additional, integrated aspects of ‘adaptable control, enterprise and materials and construction’, and addresses both ‘intelligence and sustainability issues’ to achieve the optimal energy consumption and overall comfort.

Smart Buildings can be understood as an advanced version of Intelligent Buildings. They not only control their environment autonomously but also include features that allow for adaptability and integration with external systems, such as sustainability initiatives. This means that Smart Buildings are designed not just for energy efficiency but also for maximizing occupant comfort by responding to their needs more effectively.

Think of a modern smartphone that can not only perform tasks but also learn from the user's habits to suggest improvements. For instance, it may automatically turn off the lights when a room is unoccupied or adjust the heating based on the weather forecast. This reflects how Smart Buildings function, integrating user needs with technology to enhance the living experience.

Smart Buildings are viewed as a ‘subset of smart environments’, where smart environments are “able to acquire and apply knowledge about the environment and its inhabitants in order to improve their experience in that environment.” In a smart environment, such as ‘Smart City’, various elements, i.e., Smart Homes, Smart Buildings, Smart Grids, Smart Meters, Smart Transportation, etc. collaborate synergistically.

Smart Buildings fit within a broader category called 'smart environments'. These environments use technology and data to enhance everyday experiences for their users. In a 'Smart City', for example, various infrastructure elements—like transportation systems, power grids, and even homes—work together efficiently. This interconnectedness creates a more cohesive and responsive living space, where changes in one aspect can positively influence others.

Consider a well-coordinated team in a relay race. Each runner plays a crucial role, and their performance is interconnected. If one runner accelerates, it can inspire the others to pick up their pace, leading to a better overall time. Similarly, in a Smart Environment, the efficiency of Smart Buildings can enhance the performance of other systems, creating a harmonious urban ecosystem.

Smart Buildings prioritize the occupants and encourage their active participation by incorporating feedback mechanisms, for both receiving and providing information about building usage. These buildings leverage integrated enterprise and intelligent systems to enable inherent control, by empowering occupants to make decisions regarding their comfort, while still maintaining regulated control. Smart buildings promote a personalized and interactive building experience.

One of the key aspects of Smart Buildings is their focus on the occupants. They strive to create a more interactive experience where residents can provide feedback on various building systems and have the power to influence their environment. This means integrating technology that not only adapts to occupants' needs but also involves them in the management of their living spaces, leading to greater satisfaction and comfort.

Imagine a fitness app that adjusts your workout schedule based on your physical feedback. If you feel tired, instead of pushing you to complete a high-intensity workout, it might suggest a lighter routine. Likewise, Smart Buildings can adapt their resources—like lighting and heating—based on the preferences and feedback of the people using them, creating more personalized living environments.

Literature states that Smart Buildings have the five fundamental features; • Automation: the ability to accommodate automatic devices or perform automatic functions. • Multi-functionality: the ability to allow the performance of more than one function in a building. • Adaptability: the ability to learn, predict and satisfy the needs of users and the stress from the external environment. • Interactivity: the ability to allow the interaction among users. • Efficiency: the ability to provide energy efficiency and save time and costs.

There are several core characteristics or features that define Smart Buildings. These include: 1) Automation—enabling automated systems that reduce manual intervention; 2) Multi-functionality—offering diverse functions within the same space; 3) Adaptability—the capacity to learn about user habits and adjust accordingly; 4) Interactivity—facilitating direct communication between users and the building; 5) Efficiency—optimizing energy consumption and reducing operational costs.

Think of a Swiss Army knife, which combines multiple functions in one tool. A Smart Building operates on a similar principle: it integrates various functionalities—like climate control, energy management, and security—into one cohesive system. This not only enhances user experience but makes efficient use of resources, much like a Swiss Army knife that provides convenience without taking up much space.

Dakheel, et al. (2020) analysed the above and extended it with four ‘Smartness basic features’, categorised with respect to four key functions - Climate response, Grid response, User response and Monitoring and Supervision - to include; • Nearly zero energy buildings target (Climate response, Grid response) • Flexibility (Climate response, Grid response, User response) • Real-time monitoring (Monitoring and Supervision) • Real-time Interaction (User response)

Building on the foundational features, some additional characteristics enhance the 'smartness' of buildings. These include targeting nearly zero energy consumption, which focuses on minimizing energy usage; promoting flexibility to adapt to various demands; implementing real-time monitoring systems for operational efficiency; and fostering real-time interaction with users, allowing for better management of building resources. Together, these features contribute further to energy conservation and occupant satisfaction.

Consider a smart thermostat in your home. It learns from your patterns—when you're usually home and when you're not—thus optimizing heating or cooling schedules to save energy. This is similar to how Smart Buildings monitor real-time data to adjust systems, ensuring occupants are comfortable while maximizing energy efficiency.

However, every building has a capacity to adapt their operation to the needs of the grid and the occupants, and this is measured by Smart-readiness indicator (SRI), developed by EPBD. The SRI in buildings (Verbeke et al., 2017) are particularly important for India as we have stark socio-economic diversity, and introducing the right amount of ‘smartness’ holds immense potential for transformative advancements in efficiency, sustainability, occupant comfort, and overall building performance.

The Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) is a metric designed to evaluate how well a building can adapt to user needs and respond to changes in energy demands. It is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of Smart Buildings, particularly in diverse socio-economic landscapes, like India. By providing a standardized way to measure 'smartness', SRI can help cities implement strategies that increase efficiency, enhance sustainability, and improve the quality of life for occupants.

Imagine evaluating a restaurant's service quality based on how quickly and effectively they adapt to customer preferences and feedback. Just as this metric helps diners identify quality establishments, the Smart Readiness Indicator helps in identifying buildings that can thrive in a modern, energy-conscious environment, paving the way for more sustainable urban development.

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