Intelligent buildings: Buildings as robots

Abstract

Those outside the construction industry often wonder how an assembly of inanimate building materials can be intelligent. The rapid evolution of information technology has led to the development of systems that can measure, evaluate and respond to change. An enhanced ability to control change has sparked developments in the way the physical environments are (particularly the buildings) are designed, resulting in significant growth in the area of intelligent buildings. Intelligent buildings can be likened to machines as they bear strong similarities to machines, in that they contain a myriad of mechanical, electrical, electronic, computing and communication devices. This paper examines the development of intelligent buildings as buildings controlled by machines or robots using high technology to optimise user comfort, energy consumption, safety and work efficiency; it discusses the benefits and the future of intelligent buildings with the purpose of advocating their rapid development in Nigeria.