What is a Smart Building?

A smart building is any structure that uses automated processes to automatically control the building’s operations including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, security and other systems. A smart building uses sensors, actuators and microchips, in order to collect data and manage it according to a business’ functions and services. This infrastructure helps owners, operators and facility managers improve asset reliability and performance, which reduces energy use, optimizes how space is used and minimizes the environmental impact of buildings- RCRwireless

Smart buildings are sometimes referred to as ‘automated buildings‘, ‘intelligent buildings‘ or buildings that incorporate smart technology. It centers on the use of interconnected technologies to make buildings more intelligent and responsive, ultimately improving their performance– DesigningBuildings

The phrase “smart building” conjures up images of sleek new structures incorporating all the latest energy-saving bells and whistles, but that’s only part of the story. The fact is, any number of “smart” elements can apply to older, existing buildings. In addition to cutting energy costs, upgrading an older building can also result in a more comfortable and healthy environment for employees and customers, it can contribute to the quality of life in its community, and it can provide businesses with a green marketing tool that boosts their public profile- TripplePundit