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High-tech high-rise
Dubai's population is becoming more discerning in its residential expectations. Accommodation can no longer be an environment which offers nothing in return, it needs to support the user, as well as enhance a person's living experience. Following in the footsteps of Europe and the US, the UAE - with its large number of high-end developments - is now beginning to capitalise on technological advances to create smart homes and intelligent buildings.
Prakash Hemmadi, head of Siemens Building Technologies says that although the implementation of such technology is driven by building occupants wishing to feel comfortable and secure, building owners are also helping the trend, as they seek to keep energy and administrative costs as low as possible.
He adds that consequently, technology is being considered as part of the bigger picture, together with the financial benefits it provides. "To optimise the maintenance and operating costs of a building, it is essential to view its infrastructure over the entire lifetime of the building. After all, operating costs account for some 75% of the overall cost [of a building], whereas the cost of furnishings amount to little more than 25%.
"As a result, more and more property owners and building operators are relying on comprehensive lifecycle-management technology, which employs systems that seamlessly latch onto one another, and that intelligently integrate the various subsystems."
Siemens has introduced three integrated solutions for building management purposes: Totally Integrated Power (TIP), Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) and Total Buildings Solutions (TBS), which offer convenience and safety, and assistance with reducing costs.
Under TBS, Siemens has put together a solution that covers the full spectrum of building automation and risk management solutions. The package covers building control systems for air conditioning and heating, access control, video surveillance, fire alarms, evacuation, fire extinguishing, as well as window and shade control systems, and communication and entertainment systems.
Hemmadi believes that a building automation system is a must-have as it optimises energy consumption and administrative costs without sacrificing comfort. It does this through control of the HVAC system, lighting and blind control, energy management and the monitoring of various other critical building infrastructures.
"Networking of the entire complex of technical infrastructure systems that are aligned with the building function adds intelligence to the building."
"And more and more home-owners are demanding ‘smart homes', where their communications and entertainment services are fully automated along with their access, security, lighting, air conditioning, window coverings and even kitchen equipment," adds Hemmadi.
He says that it is this increasing desire that has forced developers to pursue greater integration of technology into the projects to meet demand.
Peter Riddoch, CEO, Damac Properties explains that advances in technology mean that companies do not have to equip an entire building for individual preferences.
"We ensure the framework is there and we ensure that the conduit is available.
"There have been quite a number of steps forward in technology, because there was a time when you had to put in a central box of tricks and other bits and pieces. But you don't have to do that anymore; as long as you have the conduit in place, one person can elect to go for a specific system even if no one else has it."
This method has allowed Damac to integrate some high-end facilities into its latest developments. "In an office building such as Smart Heights, there will be the availability of retinal scan, lift identification, corridor walking identification and controlled access to areas, through a variety of uses including cards, key pads and in some instances even palm scans," says Riddoch.
He adds that this option will be installed throughout the building and will be made available to those who wish to use its services on a bespoke basis. The same goes for its residential buildings such as Park Towers in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
"We have smart technology embedded into every individual unit there. And the person has the option of taking additional upgrades. For example, if I live in New York and take an apartment in Park Towers, I can go online and look at what is happening from my apartment in the US. And if I am flying into Dubai, I can programme the air conditioning to come on before my arrival, so it is a suitable temperature.
"Especially at the higher end of the market there is strong demand for this."
But among those in the field, there is still dissatisfaction over the meaning of ‘intelligent buildings'. According to Pantelis Kouzis, overseas business development manager, EKA Group, the term applies to a building which creates an environment that allows the organisation to achieve its business objectives, while maximising the effectiveness of its occupants, and achieving minimal lifecycle costs.
He adds that areas that developers and architects should consider when proposing an intelligent building are: energy consumption, the environment, maintenance, the workforce, interior and exterior design, productivity, the use of technology and cost savings. And Kouzis believes there are four key words to think about when designing an intelligent building - flexibility, adaptability, usability and sustainability.
Another example can be seen at Trident International Holdings' marina development, The Waterfront. The project includes 71 homes in which the firm has introduced its smart homes concept. Wazir Daredia, CEO, Trident, explains that a booming residential sector, which offers investors a wide range of choice, is forcing developers to focus on modern technologies to add value to their projects.
Further smart homes products have been developed by Opus Technologies, which manufacture smart-home products for audio and video. And with the help of partnering companies, Opus has developed a product that controls the lighting, air conditioning and blinds from the same device.
In the future, Hemmadi says that it will be the ability of developers, manufacturers and technology companies to offer bespoke solutions in order to create an intelligent building.
"Buildings differ in many ways; in terms of their function, size and operating times, convenience requirements and climate conditions. Therefore, the prerequisites for a factory are altogether different from those of an administrative building, and those of an exhibition hall are very different from those of an airport building or penthouse apartment.
"Tailor-made solutions are therefore absolutely essential for perfect building technology," he adds.
Siemens spends US $7 billion every year on R&D and innovation. Of course, delivering the technology that the public is perceived to want is one thing, whether it will be taken up, or how quickly, is another matter altogether.
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