INTELLIGENT BUILDING SKIN
2.4 FEATURES OF INTELLIGENT BUILDING SKIN • LEARNING ABILITY Intelligent skin has the ability to learn. Neural networks and knowledge-based software algorithms, incorporating symbolic logic, providing the power to find out their energy status and thermal characteristics, and also relate previous or recent weather data, and current climate, to previous operating strategies. • RESPONSIVE ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING The artificial lighting system is an efficient daylighting strategy, with the power to deactivate or dim itself in response to the number of natural lighting levels. Intelligent systems are activated by occupancy sensors and controlled in response to sensed internal light levels. • DAYLIGHTING CONTROLLERS The maximization of daylight is recognized as the keys goal in low-energy design. A variety of active systems are used that answer solar angles, providing optimum positions for motorized light -guiding, light-reflecting, and light-shading devices. Light transmission can be varied and adjusted to suit internal demand. • OCCUPANT CONTROL Building occupants should have maximum personal control over their immediate environment, and this can be achieved by intelligent technologies. On-screen control panels and hand-held remote units are provided, but in situations where unchecked by occupants, the BMS reminds the user of the error or disallows continued functioning. • ELECTRICITY GENERATORS It is feasible for buildings to strive for electrical autonomy through self-generation. This extends the concept of buildings with living capabilities. Electricity is often 10
