Intelligent buildings: definition and principles of Smart Building

Smart Buildings are revolutionising the management of building infrastructures by optimising energy consumption, improving occupant comfort and enhancing safety. They rely on advanced technologies, in particular the Internet of Things (IoT), to collect, analyse and exploit data in real time.

In this article, we detail the fundamental principles of intelligent buildings, the key technologies involved and the many benefits they offer.

French version

Definition of an intelligent building

An intelligent building is a connected infrastructure that uses advanced technologies, such as IoT, to optimise energy management, improve occupant comfort and automate technical operations.
These buildings use IoT sensors, building management systems (BMS) and analytical platforms to centralise and process data in real time.

A key concept in intelligent buildings is that of the digital twin. This is a virtual replica of the building that enables infrastructure performance to be modelled, analysed and optimised in real time. The digital twin provides a global and dynamic vision of how the building functions, facilitating predictive maintenance and overall management.

Fundamental principles of Smart Building

Smart Buildings are based on several key principles that enable them to operate at optimum efficiency. Integrating new technologies enables more efficient management of resources and better decision-making in real time. Here are the main pillars of Smart Building:

• Real-time data collection and analysis
  IoT, and more specifically IoT platforms, play a central role in intelligent buildings by enabling the collection and analysis of data from various systems (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, etc.) as well as business solutions (IWMS, BIM, CMMS, EMS). This rel-time data enables rapid decision-making to optimise the energy and technical management of buildings.
• Energy efficiency
  Intelligent buildings aim to achieve a significant reduction in energy consumption, in line with tertiary sector regulations, by automatically adapting operating parameters to the actual needs of occupants and external conditions.
• Integration with the Smart Grid
  Smart Buildings interact with Smart Grids to adjust their consumption according to energy production and dynamic tariffs, thereby contributing to the energy transition.
• Automation and control
  Building management systems (BMS) and automation can be used to supervise and control equipment remotely, ensuring that it is working properly and guaranteeing comfort and usage. 

Key intelligent building technologies (IoT) 

The development of intelligent buildings relies on several key technologies:

• IoT for systems connectivity and supervision
• Data management platforms that centralise information and enable advanced analysis
• BIM (Building Information Modeling) for digital modelling and building lifecycle management
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning for predictive performance optimisation.

Designing and managing buildings with Smart Building

Smart building is revolutionising the design and management of modern buildings, by integrating advanced technologies right from the design phase and throughout the life of the building.

Intelligent design

• Energy efficiency: Buildings are designed to minimise their energy consumption, with targets of less than 50 kWh/m2/year1.
• Integration of renewable energy: Some buildings are designed to produce more energy than they consume1.
• Flexibility of spaces: The design takes into account the future adaptability of the building to changing needs.

Building management system (BMS)
BMS provides centralised, optimised management of all building systems:

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Lighting
• Lifts
• Security systems

Predictive maintenance

Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence, maintenance is becoming proactive:

• Early detection of anomalies
• Optimised scheduling of interventions
• Reduced equipment downtime

Remote control

• Remote control systems enable :
• Real-time control of equipment
• Automatic adjustment of building parameters
• Redistribute surplus energy to other buildings

Data analysis

• Analysis of the data collected by the sensors enables :
• Continuous optimisation of the building's performance
• Identify sources of over-consumption
• Adapt systems to occupant habits

By integrating these advanced technologies, smart buildings offer a holistic approach to building design and management, enabling greater efficiency, lower costs and a better experience for occupants.

Intelligent buildings and the Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a fundamental role in transforming buildings into intelligent infrastructures. Using sensors and data management platforms, it can improve energy efficiency, automate processes and provide real-time monitoring of various key building parameters.
IoT technology makes it possible to connect a range of equipment and infrastructure to optimise building management, improve energy performance and enhance occupant comfort. By using real-time data, building managers can make more informed decisions and anticipate maintenance needs.

• Intelligent buildings and the intelligent city: interconnections and synergies
  Intelligent buildings are an essential pillar of smart cities. They enable optimised management of urban infrastructures by interconnecting lighting, transport and energy systems, thereby improving the comfort of citizens and employees.
• Predictive maintenance of equipment in intelligent buildings
  The IoT promotes predictive maintenance by anticipating breakdowns through the analysis of real-time and preventive data from connected equipment. This prevents malfunctions, reduces maintenance costs and improves the sustainability of infrastructures.

How can connected technologies be integrated into a building project?

The integration of IoT and a platform like Kuzzle IoT allows to centralize and to exploit efficiently heterogeneous data from IMWS, CMMS, EMS and BIM systems. Kuzzle IoT integrates seamlessly into existing information systems. 
By integrating platforms such as Kuzzle IoT, buildings become more intelligent, responsive and autonomous. IoT not only improves operational efficiency, it also promotes a sustainable approach by reducing energy consumption and facilitating long-term infrastructure maintenance.

Examples of Smart Buildings (connected buildings)

A number of exemplary buildings illustrate the benefits of Smart Buildings. These infrastructures, spread around the world, incorporate innovative solutions.
Here are a few representative use cases:

• Indoor air quality: Sensors measure the concentration of CO₂, fine particles, temperature and humidity to automatically adjust ventilation and guarantee a healthy environment.
• Optimisation of energy consumption: Thanks to IoT platforms, real-time data makes it possible to better allocate the use of resources (water, electricity, gas) according to one's needs to reduce energy bills and one's carbon footprint.
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems management: Kuzzle's IoT platform analyses climate conditions in real time and occupancy of premises to adapt temperature and limit energy wastage. In addition, the platform sends alerts in the event of malfunctions, enabling maintenance teams to intervene quickly.  
• Premises occupancy and space management: Presence sensors optimise the use of meeting rooms, offices and shared spaces, adjusting heating, air conditioning and lighting requirements.

These examples illustrate the diversity of intelligent building applications and show how IoT and data management can transform the way we operate our infrastructures.

Benefits of intelligent buildings

Intelligent buildings offer a number of advantages that impact on both infrastructure management and the well-being of occupants. By automating and optimising resources, they deliver significant improvements in energy efficiency, safety and comfort.

Energy efficiency in buildings

Smart Buildings are revolutionising the energy efficiency of modern buildings. Thanks to the use of connected sensors and advanced technologies, these intelligent buildings aim to consume less than 50 kWh/m2/year, mainly from renewable energy sources.
Energy optimisation involves several key aspects:

• Real-time management: integrated systems provide instant information on consumption, enabling peaks and anomalies to be identified quickly.
• Preventive maintenance: by analysing data, we can anticipate malfunctions and intervene before they occur, thereby optimising consumption.
• Intelligent automation: Lighting and electrical appliances can be managed automatically, avoiding unnecessary waste.
• Energy production: Some intelligent buildings are designed to produce more energy than they consume, thereby contributing to the energy transition.

This global approach not only significantly reduces energy costs, but also minimises the environmental impact of the building sector.

Occupant comfort and well-being

Smart buildings place the comfort and well-being of their occupants at the heart of their concerns. Using advanced technologies, these intelligent buildings create an optimal environment for their users.

Personalising the environment

Intelligent systems enable interior conditions to be adjusted automatically to suit the context and individual preferences. This includes :

• Temperature control
• Adjusting lighting
• Optimising air quality

This customisation helps to create a more pleasant living or working environment, increasing occupant satisfaction and well-being.

Interaction with the building

Smart buildings offer occupants individualised control tools, enabling them to interact directly with their environment. For example, they can control

• Blinds
• Lighting
• The temperature of their personal space

This increased autonomy enhances the feeling of comfort and ownership of the space.

Air quality and thermal comfort

Intelligent sensors constantly monitor air quality and adjust ventilation accordingly. In addition, precise temperature control ensures constant thermal comfort throughout the building.
By focusing on these aspects, smart buildings create healthier, more comfortable and more productive living and working spaces for their occupants.

Building safety and security

Safety and security are crucial aspects of smart buildings, which use cutting-edge technologies to create a safer environment for occupants.

Advanced access control systems

Smart Buildings incorporate innovative access control solutions:

• Virtual badges on smartphones
• Facial recognition
• Real-time allocation and adaptation of access rights

These systems enable flexible, secure management of access to the building and its various interior spaces.

Intelligent video surveillance

IP cameras and integrated video protection systems provide enhanced surveillance:

• Intrusion detection
• Behavioural analysis
• Real-time alerts

Optimised fire safety

Smart Buildings improve fire safety thanks to :

• Connected smoke sensors
• Automated management of smoke extraction hatches
• Optimised evacuation systems

Equipment pooling

The multifunctional sensors used in smart buildings make it possible to combine several aspects of security:

• Geolocation
• Biometrics
• Access control
• Video surveillance

This integrated approach enhances the overall effectiveness of security while optimising costs.
By combining these advanced technologies, smart buildings offer a much higher level of security and safety than traditional buildings, ensuring better protection for occupants and property.

Things to remember

Intelligent buildings are an essential response to the challenges of the energy transition and the digitalisation of infrastructures. To fully exploit their potential, a high-performance IoT platform is essential.
With Kuzzle IoT, you can centralise, analyse and automate the management of your connected buildings. Contact us to find out how you can optimise the management of your infrastructures and reduce your energy consumption.

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