IMPLEMENTING INTELLIGENT BUILDING FEATURES

Abstract

The aim of the dissertation is to evaluate, with a framework, the viability of implementing intelligent building features in existing or planned building projects. The proliferation of IT usage in Singapore has been phenomenal and has become part of everyday life. A framework for evaluating the viability of upgrading or implementing intelligent building features is developed according to four factors - structure and design, building systems and services, operations and management and also, integration and computability. Case studies were conducted with Capital Square and Ocean Building and results are analysed using the framework. There are two major findings. Firstly, telecommunications' service providers have now the ability to provide an alternative vertical backbone to the building's own. This greatly changes the building intelligence of buildings and creates varying degrees of intelligence within buildings as tenants have the right to choose their infrastructure to suit their operational requirements. Secondly, the intelligent building is constantly evolving and intelligence does stay constant when building operations begin. The continual upgrading of buildings and management is proof of the ever-changing situation. Future works in this topic have also been identified.