Image: Verino77 | Flickr

New technologies are emerging like smart windows that are not only making it more energy efficient and cheaper for occupants to run their smart building systems during different seasons of the year, but are providing a way to make occupants feel more comfortable as well.

There is a new smart window on the market which is described as “tunable” in that it would give people a way to control how much light and heat come in through that window. The key here is that the smart window allows for occupants to make light and heat adjustments independently from each other. So for example, an occupant would be able to let heat in while simultaneously blocking out the light. This might be good in winter months, for example. (For more of a description about how these new smart windows work, you can check out the Technology Review article here.)

What Will Make “Tunable” Design Elements Desirable?

Such new smart windows are a good sign because they are Read more

Image: Adistock | Dreamstime

The development of smart environments causes a lot of concern for both designers and skeptics. Both want to make sure that such innovations have great benefits that will greatly outweigh the costs. For this reason, it is important to question advancements as designers and engineers continue to research, test and develop smart environments.

A BRIEF DEFINITION

I recently wrote a very brief “smart environment” description as follows:

A smart environment takes the notion of interactive architecture a bit further. With the use of sensing devices and actuators it will be possible to coordinate different objects and materials in a built environment to make buildings more functional and better able meet occupant needs in real-time. One trend is to make smart environments “goal-based” (thus, occupant-centered).

Here’s another post where I describe the “goal-based” smart environment trend: Why Ubiquitous Computing should be Goal-based

If you would like to read more about smart environments, be sure to visit the Sensing Architecture Article Page to see more posts listed under the “Smart Environment” section (to the right on the page).

Also, a book that discusses ubiquitous computing is: Everyware: The Dawning Age of Ubiquitous Computing (Voices That Matter)) It describes the many pros and cons of ubiquitous computing – one of the major trends that will make “smart” buildings possible. I find this book good because it presents both sides of the emergence of “smart” designs — with insight into how we can shape such an emergence.

CRITICAL CHALLENGES + CONCERNS

In certain circles the notion of a “smart environment” can be a very hot topic. And yes, although there are many benefits to developing such smart spaces, there are numerous reasons why people get concerned when hearing about this development. The following are a few of the challenges and concerns that I have heard expressed: Read more