Only smart cities can make smart buildings

 Smart buildings are efficient, secure, and have a better understanding of residents’ needs. Apartment complexes, commercial and retail structures that used to require significant operating can provide better service with a fraction of the human power and at lower cost. Technology and data are enabling this trend through central building management systems.
Smart buildings can now track individual tenant behaviour to shut off lights, lock doors or flip on heating or air conditioning at exactly the right moment. They can set and deactivate alarm systems, relay emergency alerts and track information about maintenance and rent. This helps building managers obtain a top-line view of every tenant as well as various facilities management data.
Buildings are energy guzzlers. It’s found that buildings consume 40 per cent of the energy of all electricity used and are the number one contributor to global CO2 emissions. Smart building management systems can reduce a building’s carbon emissions and costs through, for example, integrated HVAC systems that use sensors to respond to changes in outside temperature. They may shut off air conditioning when the weather cools or heating when the temperature rises. Such systems can reduce power consumption by 30 per cent or more. SP Anchuri, Chief Consultant at Anchuri & Anchuri Architectural & Structural Designers, shares his view on what makes a building smart. He says, “In making smart buildings we should  focus on scoring assets that make buildings green by adopting energy efficiency, reuse of resources, use of clean energy, safe and secure by detection and response to threats, controlling access to the facility, securing lives and assets, and comfortable and productive in terms of illumination, thermal comfort, air quality, connectivity, energy availability.”
Sustainable and smarter building design solutions reduce running costs stemming from greater energy efficiency and also quickly provide a return on building investment. Energy efficiency management is essential feature for commercial and smart buildings today.
Any building’s lifecycle depends upon its energy levels and equilibrium of its impact on the surrounding ecosystem.  On this note, Aditya Vora, Managing Director, Adytum Designs says, “Smart building is that, which consumes minimum energy, which is efficient and productive for its occupants and minimises the effluence of waste material into its surroundings.”To make a building smart, it is important to have smart home as well. A smart home is equipped with electronic amenities that can be controlled remotely by Smartphone. According to Vivekanand Babu, President – Sales and Marketing at VBHC Value Homes adoption of latest technologies has boosted the smart homes. He states, “The rapid growth in adopting latest wireless services and technologies in the last few years, due to the expansion in broadband penetration has enabled the concept of smart homes to prosper to a large extent.”
Smart building and its proper operation is must. Sanjay Agarwal, Head, Marketing and Sales, Salarpuria  Sattva Group says,  “Smart buildings are operated through a centrally automated system which again is controlled by a cloud based management. It essentially takes care of the entire functionality of a building such as light, ventilation, air condition etc, which enables the building to function better in comparison to a regular building.”
The discussions around ‘smart systems’ and ‘intelligent buildings’ have increased in the past five years and that is for good reason. Thanik B, Director Business Development and Strategy, Eco-Buildings Business, Schneider Electric India, states that building automation has a huge role to plays in making a building smart. He says, “Automation is at the core of smart buildings and building automation systems are those that centralise the control of the most important functions within a building. Programmed for efficiency, building automation systems are the systems that tell the lights to turn on, the doors to open, and the HVAC unit to start running.”
Considering the impact of the buildings on the environment, building owners have now started to think outside the box. Until now the building are meant to provide its owner with shelter and comfort. But now, with the development of the smart cities the buildings need to be smart too. Architect Surinder Bahga of Saakaar Foundation, says, “Buildings of the future must achieve smartness by adopting best possible technologies. A smart building optimises energy usage, supports a smart electric grid and mitigates environmental impact. Smart building introduces building services and reduces environmental impact. Smart building allows more comfortable life for the end users by the intensive use of information technology.”
A smart building is a building that is designed to perform for an enhanced period of longevity – levering the multiple systems that make up the building to work symbiotically, all within an energy efficient framework, says Kayzad Shroff, Partner, SHROFFLEoN.
KN Rao, Director – Energy & Environment, ACC Ltd says, “A smart building is one that can also be recognised as a green building. Today, the country has seen a spurt in the number of construction projects aiming to be recognised as a green building.”
Smart green buildings Not all green buildings would qualify as smart buildings. Green buildings use minimal natural resources, and dispose minimal waste into their surroundings. But they don’t necessarily measure, control and respond to energy usage model on a daily basis. This is where modern technological advances come in the forefront and guide the green building to become a more efficient, usable and in-turn a smart building. When asked whether all green building are smart, Aditya Vora states, “Most of today’s green buildings certified under various banners like LEED, TERI Griha and BRIAM are by default smart buildings because the certification criteria’s are a combination of green systems and smart technology.”
Smart buildings and green buildings are both subset of the sustainable buildings and might have some similar characteristics but are different as mostly smart buildings rely more on Information and Communication Technology (ICT). On this note, Thanik B of Schneider Electric India explains the difference between the green and the smart builds. He says, “Green buildings are about resource efficiency, lifecycle effects and building performance, whereas, smart buildings are more technology oriented. However, both smart and green buildings are subset of sustainable buildings and do have similar characteristics.”
Similarly Sanjay Agarwal finds that green buildings and smart buildings are different from each other. He says, “Though both green buildings and smart buildings fall in the category of sustainable building and thus might have certain similar features, but in true sense they are quite different from each other. A green building does not necessarily mean it is automated and is a smart one. Again a smart building with all automated features might not have sustainable green features.”
Whereas Kayzad Shroff  says, “Green does not necessarily translate into smart. Being green is an external classification, being smart is a reflection of an intrinsic construction.”
All green buildings are not necessarily smart homes and vice-versa. Green building primarily focuses on conserving materials and energy and optimal usage of renewable energy, whereas smart building is all about technology with a core aim to run the building efficiently from a centralised control system, opines Vivekanand Babu.
Integrating a building’s technology systems and constructing a sustainable or green building have much in common. Green buildings are about resource efficiency, life-cycle effects and building performance. Smart buildings, whose core is integrated building technology systems, are about construction and operational efficiencies and enhanced management and occupant functions. Part of what a smart building will deliver is energy control and energy cost savings beyond that of traditional system installation, due to the tighter control system integration. Smart and green buildings deliver the financial and conservation benefits of energy management.
Anchuri highlights his views on how do smart buildings make a building green. He shares, “Buildings can receive green certification by submitting documentation of meeting or exceeding certain technical requirements of green building norms. A smart building approach can align and support the green building approach, and by adopting the possibilities by understanding the common things in both green and smart buildings it facilitate meeting or exceeding the technical requirements of the credits and points of the rating system.”
Smart cities without smart buildings?As technology advances, buildings are no longer just physical structures providing shelter but are increasingly defining the quality of life of their users. Buildings are becoming complex entities with multiple interconnected systems such as lighting, ventilation and cooling, utilities, and security. The complexities increase with the size of buildings and the nature of their use. In most traditional buildings, these complex systems exist in storage tower leading to inadequacies in energy consumption, building usage, and lower quality of services.
With the beginning of new technologies, the part buildings play is being redefined from a stationary atmosphere to a more active and communicating space that influences the lifestyles, comfort, and efficiency of their occupants. Developing smart buildings would go a long way in creating smart cities and enhancing overall quality of life. Anchuri says, “Smart buildings are a fundamental building tablet for a smarter city. In fact smart buildings make smarter cities.”
In future, smart buildings would be the backbone for the development, operation and sustainability of the smart city. Aditya Vora, “A smart city is like a grid in which every element has an impact on its neighbours and has a give and take relation with its surroundings. Hence, we cannot make smart cities without smart buildings.”
Smart city is an integrated result of many components one of which is the smart building. It is true that the 100 cities which are going to be smart are consisting of existing buildings that need to be converted to smart buildings. On this note, Architect Bahga, says, “It is not possible that all the existing buildings have total electronic control but ensuring rain water harvesting, solar panels, controlled water and electric supply etc, in those existing buildings can achieve partial progress to the smart concept.”
One of the most important aspects of developing smart cities is the element of sustainability. This can partially be ensured by constructing smart buildings. In the absence of the smart buildings it might be challenging to ensure the sustainability of a city in the long run. “Smart buildings are a prerequisite for creating smart cities,” says Sanjay Agarwal.
Creating smart cities without smart buildings is next to impossible. Thanik B says, “Smart buildings are an inevitable component of smart cities as they a go a long way in improving the quality of life of the citizens, which, in turn, is the crux of smart city creation.”Kayzad Shroff, says, “Smart cities are an extension of smart buildings, a shift in scale, with an adherence to similar principles.”
To create smart cities not only do we need smarter and greener buildings, there are several other factors that contribute towards creating these cities. On this note, KN Rao, says, “A strategic business model would need to be devised to create a pathway for sustainable construction to India’s grassroots.”
Vivekanand Babu, thinks that smart buildings can act are not mandatory for creating smart cities, on this he states, “The concept of smart cities has been thought of on the lines of running a city efficiently. This involves adequate infrastructure, proper sanitation system, sustainable waste management system, smart buildings and so on. Smart buildings can complement a smart city but is not a mandatory part.”
Opportunities out of 100-smart city movementThe government of India has launched an aspiring structure to develop 100 smart cities. Naturally these smart cities will be enabled by a number of smart solutions including those targeted to infrastructure, energy, transport, utilities, environmental sustainability, and communication.
Government and municipal establishments are key enablers for important portions of civic and administrative infrastructure, utilities, and public amenities. However, individuals, private building owners, and businesses can also contribute by making private and public buildings smarter. In the end, the smarter the buildings, the smarter the city will be. On this note, Anchuri says, “Smart city connects human capital, social capital and ICT infrastructure in order to address public issues, achieve a sustainable development and increase the quality of life of its citizens. So, the opportunities for smart buildings leading to smarter cities will surely a reality in India in targeted time.”
The initiative of making smart cities by the government has not only boosted and given impetus to the real estate sector, but has also helped immensely in creating awareness and spreading the wave of constructing smart buildings all across the country. Speaking on opportunities for smart buildings in 100 smart cities movement, Aditya Vora, says, “Every end user now looks at the building he is going to live or work in and prefers for it to be smart and efficient. This obviously has pushed the modern day developer to be conscious enough to put the right product in the market even at a higher cost of construction, because he is seeing the demand.”
Similarly Vivekanand Babu also agrees to Aditya Vora’s opinion. He opines, “It will definitely open up a lot of avenues for the real estate and allied sector. Smart buildings might play some role in shaping a smart city, this segment (smart building) is likely to witness a lot of tractions in the coming years for sure.”
According to Kayzad Shroff, “Smart building will quite naturally have a vital role to play in the movement, however, the criteria of what defines, and makes up the ‘smart’ in the building will be have  to be spelled out clearly for the context of the India of today.”
Smart city in itself is a novel concept and which is very essential for a robust economy, without which it’s unimaginable to make India a super economic power. With 100 smart cities in the pipeline, it opens up immense opportunities for the growth of smart buildings in the country. Sanjay Agarwal says, “We have to be a little cautious as well while implementing the concept of smart building. Instead of trying to replicate the entire model (smart buildings) of developed countries, we should customise the same as per our requirement to make it more affordable and appreciable for the end-user.”
As the nation prepares to undertake a major urbanisation drive through the 100 Smart Cities and AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) programmes, there’s immense scope for energy-efficient technologies being used in constructing buildings. Thanik B shares his view, “With smart cities and AMRUT slated to receive central grants of Rs. 48,000 crore and Rs. 50,000 crore, respectively, over the next five years, it should augur well for energy-efficient technologies.
The role of public policy and leadership by example is vital in triggering the smart city movement. According to KN Rao, “Considering in particular the hidden costs and market failures that characterise the building industry, regulatory and control measures are likely to be the most effective and cost-efficient in bringing about the desired smart city dream.”
Experts believe, opportunities will increase as citizens are convinces of smart city movement because in India a greater part of people is illiterate and many people are reluctant to use and learn technology. Awareness in public should be created by organising workshops and seminars. According to Architect Bahga “It is not possible for the chosen 11 firms in India to monitor the progress and activity of smart city movement, whereas there are almost 70,000 registered architectural firms in India, who can be trained and associated in this movement in their own respective areas. Not only architects, we need to train the additional technicians such as plumbers, engineers and electricians to accelerate the progress of the movement.”
ConclusionIndia is ready to witness the changes that will take place with the development of 100 smart cities. Hopefully, with the combination of green and smart, India will be able to achieve the 100 smart cities in the years to come.
———-We cannot make smart cities without smart buildings.
Aditya Vora, MD, Adytum Designs———-
———-It is not possible for the chosen 11 firms in India to monitor the progress and activity of smart city movement.
Ar Surinder Bahga, Saakaar Foundation———-
———-Smart buildings are a prerequisite for creating smart cities.
Sanjay Agarwal, Head, Marketing and Sales, Salarpuria  Sattva Group———–
———-Smart buildings are an inevitable component of smart cities.
Thanik B, Director Business Development and Strategy, Eco-Buildings Business, Schneider Electric India———
———A strategic business model would need to be devised to create a pathway for sustainable construction to India’s grassroots.
KN Rao, Director – Energy & Environment, ACC Ltd————
————–Green does not necessarily translate into smart.
Kayzad Shroff, Partner, SHROFFLEoN—————
————All green buildings are not necessarily smart homes and vice-versa.
Vivekanand Babu, President – Sales and Marketing, VBHC Value Homes————-
————Smart buildings are a fundamental building tablet for a smarter city.
S.P. Anchuri, Chief Consultant, Anchuri & Anchuri, Architectural & Structural Designers

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