Smart buildings with sustainable design combine technological advancements and environmentally friendly principles; to optimizing energy efficiency, utilizing renewable energy sources, conserving water, and promoting green spaces etc.
These buildings utilize various smart technologies and innovative design strategies to create a more efficient, comfortable, and sustainable living or working environment.
Architects try to relate designs to nature
Throughout history, architects have tried to connect their designs with nature. to ensure the relationship between residential complexes and outdoor spaces, and improving the ecological linkages between a building and its surrounding landscape. In the same context today, Green buildings, promoting as an example of bioclimatic, sustainable, or green design.
Nowaday, professionals in most fields are trying to advance the goals of sustainability, by devising ways and solutions that can be a great model to encourage the current and next generation, to include the ecosystem in all levels of developpment.
Along the same lines, green buildings within large cities constitute an exceptional sustainable model. This has also paved the way for workplaces to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Green buildings are considered a distinct sustainable model
A ‘green’ building (also known as green construction or sustainable building) is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and environment; To increasing the efficiency of energy, avoid water wasting and of reducing impacts on human health and the environment for the entire lifecycle of a building.
Smart Buildings
A smart building is one that uses technology to enable efficient and economical use of resources, while creating a safe and comfortable environment for occupants. From a sustainability perspective, green spaces is desirable because it offers a plethora of benefits, especially including: Improving the environmental health of indoor and outdoor spaces by producing oxygen, filtering polluted air, dust, and reducing urban noise, thereby improving people’s comfort and productivity. Also for enhancing aesthetics and offering a local, vernacular touch, and bringing nature closer to the cities and softening urban effect for reducing stress levels
One key characteristic of smart buildings is the use of connected systems and sensors. These sensors monitor and control various aspects of the building, such as lighting, heating, and ventilation, to ensure optimal energy usage. For example, sensors can detect occupancy and adjust lighting levels accordingly, reducing energy waste. They can also monitor temperature and adjust heating and cooling systems accordingly, ensuring comfortable conditions while minimizing energy consumption.
Another aspect of sustainable design in smart buildings is the incorporation of renewable energy sources. These buildings often have solar panels or wind turbines installed, allowing them to generate clean and renewable energy to power their operations. Excess energy can be stored in batteries or fed back into the grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Smart buildings also prioritize water conservation and efficient water usage; by using water-saving fixtures, and installing rainwater harvesting systems, for non-potable uses like irrigation or flushing. This reduces the demand for freshwater resources.
Furthermore, smart buildings often prioritize indoor air quality by utilizing advanced air filtration systems and promoting natural ventilation. This helps to create a healthier indoor environment and reduce the reliance on artificial cooling or heating systems.
In terms of creating green spaces, smart buildings can incorporate vertical gardens, rooftop gardens, or even outdoor green spaces for occupants to enjoy. These green areas not only provide aesthetic benefits but also act as natural cooling agents, improving the microclimate around the building.
Vertical gardens
Vertical gardens play a multifaceted role in buildings, improving aesthetics, air quality, energy efficiency, human health, biodiversity, and the overall sustainability of the built environment. They are an innovative and effective way to integrate nature into urban spaces and create greener and healthier living and working environments.
One of the primary roles of vertical gardens is to enhance the visual appeal of buildings. The lush greenery growing on vertical surfaces provides a unique and visually pleasing element, which can transform the appearance of an otherwise dull or ordinary building. This not only creates a more inviting and pleasant atmosphere but also contributes to the overall aesthetics of the surrounding area.
Another significant role of vertical gardens is their positive impact on indoor air quality. Plants have the ability to absorb harmful pollutants and release oxygen, making them natural air purifiers. By installing vertical gardens in buildings, the plants can improve the air quality, leading to a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment.
Vertical gardens also have an important role in reducing energy consumption within buildings. The dense plant growth on the walls acts as an additional layer of insulation, helping to regulate temperature and reduce the need for heating or cooling systems. This results in energy savings and contributes to sustainable building practices.
In addition, vertical gardens offer several psychological and health benefits. Research suggests that exposure to natural elements, such as plants and greenery, can reduce stress, improve concentration, and enhance overall well-being. Vertical gardens create a connection with nature, even in urban areas, and provide a calming and relaxing environment for building occupants.
Moreover, vertical gardens also contribute to biodiversity and promote urban greening. They provide habitats for various species, including birds, butterflies, and insects, thereby supporting biodiversity within built environments.
The fourth industrial revolution enabled many advanced technologies that transformed to Smart Devices able to accompany the comprehensive development in most sectors. Today’s smart devices work hand in hand with humans, to achieve sustainability goals. Building a green space today has become very easy especially when we include smart solutions in our green space plans. The role of smart devices does not stop at the serving stage, but also have an essential role at the monitoring,analysis and automation level.
For Example, watering system devices, It is one of the technologies that can enhance the presence of green spaces, reduce water wasting and encourage people to create and control green spaces, this technology can control outdoor devices, and participate to minimize effort and cost.
Future challenge
Many sustainable buildings have presented their green features as foster better the social and public life. Future research may address important sustainability issues from another vision like :
Renewable Energy: Architects, environmentalists among others, are increasingly interested in exploring ways to harness renewable energy sources that reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and hydroelectricity energy technologies generate electricity with no combustion emissions. Gradually, the costs of renewable energy are becoming much more competitive with fossil fuels. Future tall buildings may strive to become “zero energy” or even “positive energy”, so that in a year they may generate as much or more energy than they consume.
The Vertical Farm: With a burgeoning global population that has created an ever-growing need for increased of production. Architects are searching for sustainable and productive solutions. This could be achieved through vertical farming in urban settings. Vertical farms could be integrated into future buildings as another mixed-use element, along with housing, recreation, work, and tourism. In this way, smart buildings of the future may become a productive space.