::THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF BUILDING SURVEY MALAYSIA::

Over the last 20 years, there has been a lot of discussion and debate about the concept of an “intelligent building.” Work has gone on in many forums to define and quantify what the term really means. The end result of all of these efforts is that an intelligent building is not just one thing. My definition of intelligent buildings is as follows:

“Use of technology and process to create a building that is safer and more productive for its occupants and more operationally efficient for its owners.”

The results from implementing these technologies and processes are buildings that cost less to operate and are worth more to their occupants. For projects that are owner occupied, such as corporate, government, and institutions, the benefits of an intelligent building provide an immediate ROI in terms of higher employee productivity and reduced operating expenses. For commercial developments, these projects are expected to result in above market rents, improved retention, higher occupancy rates, and lower operating expenses. All around, this is a win-win situation!

So what are the technologies and processes that are required to create such a project? The list is long, starting with design and going through long-term operations, retrofit, and eventual decommissioning. See the sidebar article for a brief summary of the attributes.

Let’s start by looking at the design process for intelligent buildings. The decision to make a project “intelligent” needs to come early in the design process. Making the decision to create a new project or retrofit an existing one to make it intelligent is similar to what goes into creating a LEED®-certified project. There needs to be a commitment from the owner and their design team to invest in a project with superior performance and value. Once this occurs, the design process can continue as usual. But it is important to keep the focus on creating a superior project and avoid the temptation to “value engineer” out the intelligent components.

PROJECT SCOPE AND PURPOSE

One of the first attributes in an intelligent design is to carefully evaluate the current and future use of the project. This starts by clearly identifying the purpose and needs of the targeted building occupants. This process will vary depending on whether it will be an owner occupied or a commercial development. For an owner-occupied building, surveys and focus groups can be held with the building occupants, analyzing and prioritizing their needs to select proper project features. For a commercial development, the project target market needs to be identified and attributes designed to suit. For example, an office building might target technology companies that would benefit from an urban environment, high-speed network access, and 24/7 availability.

It is important to realize, however, that few projects are used as originally envisioned. A good intelligent design should incorporate flexibility to allow for easy change. Examples of this type of design characteristic include CLA (communications, life safety, automation), structured cabling design, and open space with movable or demountable partitions. An intelligent building needs to be designed to meet the needs of initial occupants and be flexible to meet the needs of future occupants.

CONCEPT AND BUDGET

When setting initial project budgets, intelligent attributes must be included. Creating an intelligent building does require an investment in advanced technology, processes, and solutions. An upfront investment is required to realize a significant return later on. It is unrealistic to expect to make a project intelligent unless there is early buy in on investment. Again, these decisions need to happen prior to the start of design work. One of the challenges is to educate owners on the benefits of an intelligent building design. Waiting until the MEP is brought on to the design team may be too late. This makes the education of both owners and architects about the benefits of intelligent solutions critical for success.

SITE SELECTION AND INTEGRATION

An intelligent design begins by looking at the site as it integrates with the community. Is this a location that is a new “green field” location, or a reuse of an existing “brown-field” site? Can the project be sited for maximum solar efficiency? How will it fit in with community land and space planning? Does it integrate with existing (or planned) public transportation?

Site integration and impact are critical for environmental impact, and strongly affects how the building occupants interact with the building. At a macro scale, community integration is determined by community space planning and zoning regulations. An intelligent building should go beyond that with consideration as to how this fits in with the community’s needs, transportation, and amenities. The combination of the two makes the building more marketable with a lower impact on the environment.

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

An intelligent building starts with an environmentally friendly design. Creating a project that is environmentally friendly and energy efficient ties in closely with many of the intelligent attributes. Intelligent buildings are designed for long-term sustainability and minimal environmental impact through the selection of recycled and recyclable materials, construction, maintenance and operations procedures. Providing the ability to integrate building controls, optimize operations, and enterprise level management results in a significant enhancement in energy efficiency, lowering both cost and energy usage compared to non-intelligent projects.

Intelligent buildings are intended to be the preferred environment for occupants. This requires focused attention to environmental factors that affect occupants’ perception, comfort, and productivity. An intelligent design finds the balance, providing a superior indoor environment and minimizing energy usage and operating labor. This is where the technology becomes valuable. Using integration and automation we are able to implement solutions that both provide a superior environment and minimize energy (Table 1).

USGBC LEED®

The USGBC LEED program provides an excellent mechanism to promote, measure, and quantify environmental and energy efficiency in both new and existing projects. There is a very strong synergy between an intelligent building design and a LEED-certified design. Intelligent buildings demand reduced energy usage through optimization, system integration, and enterprise applications. LEED certification requires energy efficiency, monitoring, validation, and control of all building systems. The goals and benefits of LEED and intelligent building design go together arm and arm. An intelligent building program should start with LEED certification and work to improve the building beyond that.

BUILDING MODELING

An intelligent design needs to start with a complete model. This modeling begins early on with CAD designs that evolve into project renderings. Using new standards such as AEC-XML and GB-XML, this information can readily be shared with HVAC and other system models. Modeling of an intelligent building will be used not just in design, but will continue into construction and operation.

In the past, building modeling has been widely used as a design tool and often for construction as well. In an intelligent building we would expect that this model will be used by new sophisticated tools that will actually be able to use the original modeling information to make decisions about optimization and continuous recommissioning of critical building systems. Ideally, the model will follow through the lifespan of the building, be updated as necessary and serve as a digital document of the building.

BUILDING CIRCULATION AND NETWORKING

Buildings exist to enable collaboration, allowing occupants to be productive, efficient, and creative. Intelligent buildings provide for improved occupant circulation, interaction, and collaboration. From a design perspective this means attention to how the occupants will circulate through the building. How will they enter the space? How will they move efficiently vertically and horizontally through the space? Can we incorporate digital signage to improve navigation and circulation?

Collaboration can also be improved through the use of design elements to encourage networking in both formal and informal spaces. Formal collaboration
spaces are conference rooms, break rooms, classrooms, and seminar rooms. Informal collaboration spaces include niches and seating spaces in corridors, coffee shops, outdoor seating areas, and other places where building occupants can get together for brief planned or unplanned interactions.

CONCLUSION

The goal of having an intelligent building only starts with early planning in the design stage. In many ways, this mirrors the design and fulfillment of many green or LEED projects today, but it uses technology to provide for a superior space. There are enormous benefits to be gained by creating intelligent buildings. We need to continue to work as an industry to quantify these benefits, educate owners and consultants, and to deliver a superior product to the market.

FEATURE	BENEFIT
Dimmable fluorescent lighting integrated with sun blind control	Optimal lighting level and quality can be determined by the occupants.
Lighting control with motion sensors integrated with security	Only provide lighting as needed. Reduces energy use and increases security.
Natural and displacement ventilation.	More efficient and effective distribution of ventilation.
Use of economizers for free cooling.	Energy efficiency.
Individual temperature and lighting control.	Improved comfort is shown to improve productivity. Addresses the number one concern of tenants as found in BOMA surveys.
Radiant heating and cooling.	Improved comfort, reduced energy use.
Optimized control algorithms.	Reduce energy use with little or no impact on comfort.
Combined heat and power plants.	Improved energy efficiency and sustainability.
After hours control of lights and HVAC integrated with security.	Improved security while reducing energy use.
Monitoring of IAQ and contaminants.	Improved comfort, safety, and productivity.

TABLE 1. Examples of how technology helped provide energy efficiency and a superior environment.

SUMMARY
Intelligent buildings mean many things depending on your perspective and role. The following list is one summary of these attributes.
Process
Design:
• Flexibility – designed to change;
• Energy efficient design (LEED®);
• Complete building modeling;
• Focus on building circulation and Feng Shui and common spaces for networking;
• Integration with transportation and surrounding community.
Construction:
• Sustainable construction practices;
• Electronic project documentation;
• Modeling extended into construction.
Operations:
• Integration of all systems;
• Remote operations and optimization;
• Tenant portals;
• After-hours operation;
• Maintenance management and dispatch;
• Energy information and management systems;
• Real-time energy response;
• Continuous comfort monitoring and feedback.
Technology
General:
• Tenant amenities:
• Concierge;
• Shopping;
• Restaurants;
• Lodging;
• Parking;
• Restrooms.
• Optimized vertical transport.
• Personal comfort control:
• Temperature;
• Humidity;
• IAQ;
• Lighting;
• Acoustic.
Networking/Telecom:
• Common network infrastructure;
• Structured – maintainable cabling;
• WiFi;
• VOIP; and
• Digital signage.
Security/Life Safety:
• Digital video monitoring;
• Access control and monitoring;
• Automatic fire suppression;
• Fire detection and alarm;
• Egress support (lighting, signage, smoke control, etc.);
• Contaminant monitoring and containment;
• Proximate security/guard services.
Mechanical:
• Energy efficient equipment;
• Thermal storage;
• Combined heat and power;
• Controls optimization;
• Extensive sensing;
• Energy efficiency;
• IAQ;
• Comfort monitoring;
• Internet enabled controls;
• Enterprise integration;
• Water and gas metering, sub-metering.
Electrical:
• Energy efficient lighting;
• Lighting control;
• Distributed generation;
• Dual power feeds/emergency power;
• Power quality monitoring;
• Sub-metering/billing.

Oleh Bennie Zie Fauzi

KOS pembinaan rumah jutawan petrokimia India, Mukesh Ambani setinggi 27 tingkat di Altamount Road, Mumbai melampaui belanjawan membina hotel ternama dan dikenal pasti rumah termahal di dunia. 'Istana' yang dinamakan Antilla itu dijangka siap awal tahun depan.

Rumah termahal dunia

Mukesh Ambani bakal menggaji 600 pekerja bagi membersih dan menyelenggara kediaman mewah 27 tingkat

NITA Ambani bukan sembarangan wanita, dia adalah isteri jutawan petrokimia tersohor Mumbai sekali gus peneraju Reliance Industries, Mukesh Ambani. Sehingga Mac tahun ini, Mukesh dengan anggaran aset RM142 bilion (AS$43 bilion) dinobatkan laman web Forbes lelaki kelima terkaya di dunia.

Sebagaimana wanita lain di dunia, Nita cukup bertuah kerana suaminya sanggup membina kediaman mewah dan selesa 27 tingkat bernilai RM6.6 bilion (AS$2 bilion) buat diri dan tiga anaknya.

Tanggungjawab membina rumah impian Nita dan suaminya itu diamanahkan sepenuhnya kepada firma arkitek Perkins + Wills and Hirsch Bedner yang sebelum ini diakui kebolehan mereka melalui pembangunan Mandarin Oriental Dallas dan Los Angeles.

Pengarah Pemasaran Hirsch Bedner Associates, Thomas Johnson, berkata arkitek dan juru hias dalamannya bertungkus lumus menyiapkan pelan lantai, memikirkan reka bentuk seterusnya menentukan konsep serta tema bangunan.

Pembinaan kediaman mewah di Altamount Road, Mumbai di atas tapak tanah seluas 4939.81 meter persegi bermula penghujung 2006 dan dijangka siap untuk diduduki pada September 2008.

Bangunan pencakar langit seperti istana itu digelar Antilla bersempena nama sebuah pulau sarat mitos. Kos pembinaannya melampaui belanjawan membina hotel ternama dengan setiap tingkat ditampilkan ukuran, bahan dan struktur seni bina berbeza meliputi lantai, lampu, pintu, bingkai tingkap dan sebagainya.

"Sekiranya aras sembilan menitipkan kemasan logam dan kayu disulami sentuhan kristal, tingkat 11 tidak akan mengetengahkan unsur itu lagi. Ini permintaan Nita yang mahukan pertembungan konsep dengan elemen seni bina bagi ruang konsisten tanpa ada pengulangan gaya," kata pakar hiasan dalaman Hirsch Bedner Associates.

Struktur seni bina berkenaan dibentuk menerusi prinsip Vaastu yang boleh disamakan dengan feng shui. Matlamat utamanya untuk mendapatkan aliran pergerakan sihat ruang berpandukan susun atur strategik bilik, objek dan kemasan.

Kuarters keluarga yang memuatkan sebuah lobi dan menghimpunkan sembilan lif, beberapa bilik penyimpanan serta ruang bersantai terletak di aras tujuh selepas enam tingkat tempat meletak kereta untuk 170 lot parkir. Sebaik menuruni dua sayap tangga dengan selusur bersepuh perak, tetamu bertemu dewan tari menari berhias siling kristal.

Ruang ini menjadi wadah seni menerusi sisipan monitor LCD lengkap sistem pembesar suara selain dibina sebuah pentas pertunjukan.

Sesuai statusnya sebagai usahawan ternama, Mukesh sering menganjurkan majlis korporat di kediamannya. Namun, pandangan isteri dan anak-anak yang menginginkan gaya penataan menggambarkan akar umbi bangsa tidak diabaikan.

Buktinya, sinki yang dibina memanjang dari ruang santai berlanjutan ke ruang hiburan dilengkapi pawagam dan stor wine direka menyerupai daun gingko, spesies tumbuhan yang dekat dengan masyarakat India. Saliran paipnya menampilkan rekaan mirip batang daun yang 'menjalar' hingga ke sinki.

'Health level', aras yang dikhususkan untuk sukan dan riadah menempatkan patio, kolam renang, gimnasium dan studio yoga. Pasangan Ambani memenuhi kawasan patio dengan pelbagai spesies pokok tempatan.

Aras ini juga menyediakan bilik berais khusus kegunaan penghuni dan tetamu melarikan diri dari bahang cuaca kota Mumbai. Menariknya, bilik sejuk ini menawarkan pengalaman berada di negara empat musim apabila disertakan hujan salji buatan manusia.

Pada ketika cuaca nyaman, Ambani sekeluarga berpeluang menghirup udara segar yang ditawarkan empat tingkat landskap terbuka. Kayu yang menguatkan alang dan menyokong dua pertiga bahagian atas bangunan berbentuk ‘W’ mengilhamkan atrium terbuka untuk taman dan halaman.

Landskap hidroponik dan pokok bersifat kekal elemen paling rumit direalisasikan namun kewujudannya didorong dengan sebab. Keupayaan tumbuh-tumbuhan menyerap cahaya matahari dimanfaatkan menjadi sumber tenaga yang boleh diubahsuai merujuk keperluan. Menerusinya, suasana kediaman pada musim panas boleh menjadi dingin manakala ketika cuaca sejuk, suhu menyamankan tubuh.

Empat tingkat teratas dijadikan ruang peribadi Ambani sekeluarga termasuk ibunya, Kokilaben. Istimewanya ruang ini kerana menampilkan pemandangan Laut Arab dan seluruh kota Mumbai.

Menurut Penolong Jurutera BMC, syarikat yang bertanggungjawab mereka pelan cadangan bagi pembinaan bangunan ini, kira-kira 600 pekerja bakal digajikan Mukesh bagi membersih, menjaga dan menyelenggara kediamannya.

Di sebalik nama Antilla

Antilla atau Antillia adalah pulau puaka yang dipercayai berada di tengah Lautan Atlantik di barat Sepanyol. Nama lain pulau mistik ini adalah Isle of Seven Cities, Ilha das Sete Cicades (bahasa Portugis), Septe Cicades, Sanbrandan atau St Brendan dan sebagainya.

Nama asalnya tidak diketahui. Etimologi tertua dikeluarkan pada 1455 menghubung-kaitkan nama itu dengan platonik Atlantis, manakala versi terkemudian mengaitkannya dengan Jezirat Al Tenny, “Pulau Naga”, disebut Pulau Naga oleh ahli geografi Arab.

Legenda pulau bermula pada 74 Tahun Masihi apabila Quintus Sertorius, komander tentera dan konsulat Sepanyol yang baru pulang dari medan pertempuran Mauretania (Utara Maghribi) bertemu kelasi berpengalaman singgah di pulau Atlantik.

Teruja dengan cerita kelasi berkenaan, Sertorius memasang tekad mencari pulau terbabit sebelum mengambil keputusan menetap di situ.

Fakta Menarik Antilla