“Smart Building Prior

solutions”
The Edge - Amsterdam,
The Netherlands

Described as “the smartest building

in the world,” The Edge has the kind
of life improving smart systems that
most office buildings could only hope
to order. Staff who work there have
access to a smartphone app that
tracks their agenda or the calendar
and acts as a pass to all the
building’s facilities. But that’s just the
beginning. The app also helps
workers find a parking space and a
workspace since there are no
assigned desks or offices at The
Edge. This “hot desking” concept
fosters new encounters and helps colleagues build relationships, but it
also states that the building’s square footage is used as capably and
successfully as possible.

Let’s suppose that you arrive at your work and park your car. You get to
your desk for the day, and the space automatically adjusts the lighting
and temperature to match your preferences. You walk to meetings under
a “digital ceiling” of LED panels with 28,000 sensors for motion, light,
temperature, humidity, and more. According to Chief Information Officer
Erik Ubels, the building expects to earn back its
investment in this digital ceiling in just 8.3 years,
with central dashboards tracking it all and
adjusting accordingly. The Edge is not only cool
and futuristic, but it’s also green, having earned
a 98.4% sustainability rating from British agency
BREEAM, the highest percentage ever awarded.
1
Page
Pros of “the Edge”.
Energy Efficiency : The smart building technologies contribute to
optimized energy usage, reducing overall environmental impact and
operational costs.

Occupant Comfort : Individual control over lighting, temperature, and

other environmental factors enhances occupant comfort and well-being.

Space Utilization : Data-driven insights help optimize space utilization,

allowing for more efficient use of the available workspace.

Technological Innovation : The Edge serves as a showcase for

technological innovation in the construction and real estate industry,
attracting attention and setting a precedent for future developments.

Potential Cons of “the Edge”.

Cost: Implementing smart building technologies can involve a significant
upfront cost. However, the long-term benefits in terms of energy savings and
operational efficiency may offset this.
Technical Challenges: Maintaining and troubleshooting complex smart
systems may pose challenges and require specialized expertise.
Dependency on Technology: Reliance on technology for daily operations
means that any technical issues or failures could temporarily disrupt normal
functioning.
Privacy Concerns: IoT devices and sensors may collect data on occupant
behavior, raising privacy concerns that need to be addressed transparently.

Source:
https://edge.tech/portfolio/the-edge
2
Page
Burj Khalifa - Dubai,
United Arab Emirates

the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab

Emirates, is the tallest building in the
world, standing at a height of 828 meters
(2,717 feet). While the Burj Khalifa is an
iconic skyscraper, it's important to note
that it might not incorporate the latest
smart building technologies found in more
latterly constructed buildings. However, I
can support general information and
discuss potential advantages and
disadvantages of incorporating smart
building features into such a structure:

Design and building: The Burj Khalifa was

designed by the architectural firm Skidmore,
Owings & Merrill and constructed by the
South Korean company Samsung C&T. It was
officially opened in January 2010 and has become a symbol of Dubai's modern
architecture and technological advancement.

Altitude and Structure: The Burj Khalifa features a mixed-use design with
residential, trading, and hotel space. Its construction includes a reinforced concrete
core and a Y-shaped floor plan to enhance stability.

Observation Decks: The building includes observation decks, such as "At the
Top," offering breathtaking views of Dubai and its surroundings.
3
Page

Pros of Burj Khalifa:

Energy Efficiency: Retrofitting smart technologies for lighting, HVAC systems, and
other utilities can enhance energy efficiency and reduce overall operational costs.
Smart Security Systems: Integration of advanced security systems, such as
surveillance cameras, access controls, and biometric systems, can enhance the
safety and security of the building.
Occupant Comfort: Smart building features, including temperature and lighting
controls, could be employed to create a comfortable and personalized environment
for occupants.
Maintenance and Monitoring: Sensors and monitoring systems can be implemented
to track the building's health, enabling predictive maintenance and minimizing
downtime.

Cons of Burj Khalifa:

Integration Challenges: Retrofitting smart technologies into an existing structure
may pose integration challenges and require careful planning to avoid disruptions.
Price: The cost of implementing smart building technologies can be substantial, and
retrofitting an existing structure might be more expensive than incorporating these
features during the initial construction phase.
Compatibility Issues: Ensuring compatibility between existing infrastructure and
new smart technologies may be a complex task, potentially leading to technical
issues.
Privacy Concerns: The deployment of advanced security and surveillance systems
may raise privacy concerns among occupants and visitors, requiring careful
consideration of privacy policies and regulations.

Source
https://skyscraper.org/tallest-towers/burj-dubai/
4
Page
 Shanghai Tower -
Shanghai, China

Shanghai Tower is a skyscraper located in

the Lujiazui area of the Pudong district in
Shanghai, China. It is one of the three
Distinguished buildings in the Pudong
skyline, along with the Jin Mao Tower and the
Shanghai World Financial Center. Completed
in 2015, Shanghai Tower is the tallest
building in China and the second-tallest
building in the world.

Tall: Shanghai Tower stands at 632

meters (2,073 feet) and has 128 floors above ground, as well as five
basement levels.
Blueprint: The tower has a unique twisted form, and its spiral design helps
reduce wind loads on the building.
Use: The building serves a variety of purposes, including office space, hotels,
and observation decks.

Pros of Shanghai Tower

Sustainable Scheme: Shanghai Tower is designed with sustainability in mind,
incorporating features such as a double-skin facade for insulation and
5

energy-efficient systems.
Page
Wind Turbines: The tower features wind turbines near its top, taking
advantage of the strong winds at higher altitudes to generate renewable
energy.
Sky Gardens: The tower includes sky gardens at regular intervals, providing
green spaces and contributing to improved indoor air quality.
Energy Efficiency: Shanghai Tower employs advanced technologies for
energy efficiency, including efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and smart
building administration.
Mixed-Use Development: The tower's mixed-use design accommodates
various functions, creating a vibrant and dynamic urban space.
Observation Deck: The tower boasts an observation deck with stunning
panoramic views of Shanghai, providing both locals and tourists with a
unique experience.

Cons of Shanghai Tower

Environmental effect: The building of such large structures can have an

environmental impact, and the materials and resources used may contribute
to ecological concerns.
Occupancy Challenges: Filling such a large building with tenants can be
challenging, and maintaining high occupancy rates may require ongoing
efforts.
Maintenance Costs: The sheer size and complexity of the building could lead
to high maintenance costs, particularly for specialized features such as the
wind turbines.
Technological Challenges: Implementing and maintaining advanced
technologies can pose challenges, including potential issues with integration
and software updates.
Construction Challenges: The construction of tall structures involves intricate
engineering and construction challenges, and delays or unforeseen issues
may arise.
6
Page
Source
https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/what-do-civil-engineers-do/
shanghai-tower

7
Page
New administrative capital, Egypt

New capital city is located 35 KM east of Cairo of a

total area of 170,000 feddan. The new capital city
lies between the regional road, the Cairo Suez
Road and Cairo-El Ain El Sokhna Road. The new
capital city will help to strengthen and diversify the
country’s economic potential by creating new
places to live, work and visit. In order to draw
people to this new capital city, a series of key
catalyst developments will be established at its
core. This will include a new government
administrative district, a cultural district, and a
wide variety of urban neighborhoods.

NEW
8

OLD
Page

CAPITAL CAPITAL
Advantages of the new capital:

- Well-designed streets with monitoring of traffic

congestion and accidents.

- Management and operation of electricity, gas and

water to reduce consumption and cost.

- Covering all
parts of the city
with CCTV
cameras and
control sensors
integrated to the
city control
center.

- Buildings
automatically
identify the most effective ways to save resources
and provide a healthy environment.

- Focusing on renewable energy for a green

environment, while using IoT to save power
consumption.

- Building optical fiber infrastructure connecting every

9
Page

building using FTTX technology.

 Disadvantages of the new capital:

- Cost Overruns: major projects may face budget

overruns due to unexpected challenges or changes in
the scope of the development. This can place a
financial burden on the government or investors
involved in the project.
- Environmental Impact: The development of a new
city can have environmental consequences, including
habitat disruption, increased traffic congestion, and
potential strain on water resources. Balances
urbanization with environmental sustainability is
crucial.

10
Page