It is a fact that, for many years, society has made progress following a development model based on both non-renewable energy sources and other environmentally damaging practices.
Fortunately, however, many people today are more ecologically aware and are looking for alternative ways to benefit the sustainability of the planet, such as smart buildings.
Initially, it should be noted that this current trend towards ecological awareness on the part of society is extremely important, essentially in order to set a good example for future generations and mitigate the side effects that have already been noticed in the environment due to years of over-exploitation.
So read on to find out what intelligent construction is, as well as some examples of such projects around the world!
Smart building concept
Basically, a smart building is one that manages to align economy, sustainability and health (throughout its entire development project, i.e. from planning to completion and subsequent use).
In other words, unlike traditional constructions, the smart one is intended to be based on a logic that is correct and respectful of the environment, generating fewer negative impacts on the world - as well as, of course, representing a greater financial advantage.
As an example, a smart building can be characterized by the following practices:
Examples of smart buildings around the world
There are many examples of smart buildings around the world. See some of them below:
Located in the city of Chicago, in the United States, O'hare was designed to effectively manage a variety of systems, such as energy consumption, security and automation.
Drawing attention for its architectural beauty, this airport is also very famous for its 104,000 square meters of green space distributed over the roofs of its towers.
It is worth noting that the use of a green space in the upper part of a building reduces heat absorption in internal environments, which consequently minimizes the need for artificial air conditioning and promotes the health and comfort of those present.
Built in Taiwan, this building is actually called Taipei Financial Center, but because it has an incredible 101 floors, it has become known worldwide as Taipei 101.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, this building has automated systems that turn off the air conditioning in the rooms when it detects that there are no people in the room.
As well as being one of the tallest buildings in the world (reaching a height of 508 meters), Taipei 101 also stands out for its internal work on ecological awareness.
This is because all of its 10,000 employees constantly receive training and information on environmentally friendly means and alternatives to be applied in the building.
Architected in Finland, this building was one of the first on the European continent to receive worldwide recognition as an effective smart building through the Leed Gold certification.
Its main advantage is its automated energy and resource management system, which manages to adjust daily expenditure according to the number of people and the minimum demand required, thus reducing waste and energy loss.
According to the mall's management, this intelligent energy management system has saved an incredible 27% of the building's total electricity consumption, which is an excellent way of combating waste.
Brazil's first representative in our list of smart buildings, the Eldorado Business Tower, located in São Paulo, is famous for its striking green windows. Composed of special glass, they are capable of harnessing approximately 70% of natural light and retaining only 28% of the thermal energy incident on their surface.
The advantages of windows are that they ensure good natural light for the building's internal environments (which reduces electricity consumption) and also help to maintain a pleasant climate inside the rooms.
Another practice that helps it to be environmentally friendly is the presence of an elaborate rainwater harvesting system, which reuses it for bathrooms, air conditioning and some of the building's maintenance tasks.
A traditional soccer stadium located in the city of Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais, Mineirão, after its renovation for the 2014 World Cup, has been extensively modified to be considered a smart building.
Reusing a large part of the waste generated (such as donating its thousands of chairs to some gyms and stadiums in Minas Gerais), what draws attention to this building is its ability to generate electricity using solar radiation, since it has photovoltaic panels installed inside to generate energy.
The Edge, located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is widely recognized as the most advanced commercial building in terms of technology and sustainability. This building integrates innovative technological solutions and ecological practices to create an efficient and pleasant working environment.
Using an app based on artificial intelligence, The Edge establishes a connection with its occupants even before they arrive at the building. The app is able to identify the home location of each employee, monitor the entry of vehicles into the parking lot and recognize individuals arriving by bicycle.
The technology implemented allows the building to recommend the most suitable space for each worker's daily activities, based on their schedule. This includes options for meetings, quiet areas for writing or spaces dedicated to relaxation.
The building's atrium is equipped with solar panels that generate more energy than is needed. In addition, the structure has been designed to maximize the entry of natural light, ensuring that all areas, including the smallest, are well lit. The Edge also uses cisterns to collect and store rainwater, which is used to fill toilets and irrigate green areas.
After analyzing the concept of smart buildings, as well as learning more about some examples around the world, it's easy to see how important this type of construction is for the environment. It's also worth noting its economic advantages over traditional construction, since it saves costs and uses cheaper materials.