With Smart Building Technology, a Facilities Manager can log in remotely to flip the switch on more than 500 lights. In toilets throughout a 7-acre development, the toilet paper, paper towels and hand-soap dispensers can automatically tell the Facilities Manager when a dispenser is empty. Toilets can even send signals when they’re blocked. And you do tend to find that the toilets are one of the top complaints in commercial buildings, while most other tenant gripes center on heating and cooling systems, which can all be built into the smart network. Why would you want to create more problems for yourself when a Smart Building can solve them for you?

You can offer telephone, data, Internet, security and music services through a single fiber-optic network. The Facilities Manager can monitor heating, cooling, lighting, and digital signage through that same network, which currently links all retail tenants, outdoor spaces and property management offices. However, its estimated that less than 10% of new and existing commercial buildings actually contain intelligent smart building technology. Most active in the intelligent Smart Building Technology field are data centers, hospitals and universities.  A key driver of intelligent technology in the commercial real estate sector is escalating energy costs. If an intelligent lighting and energy management system is integrated into a building’s overall operating network, the owner can reap energy savings of 30% to 45% vs. a stand-alone lighting and energy management systems. A full-fledged intelligent technology system can deliver bottom-line rewards its as simple as that.

One reason Smart Buildings have yet to make it to the mainstream is that many commercial property developers in the UK have a bad habit of promoting a building’s short-term profitability rather than its long-term operating costs (although to fair they are slowly coming around to our way of thinking). They don’t usually worry to much about the buildings operating costs five years down the line because they’re not going to own it. If tenants demanded intelligent Smart Building Technology, then the developers have to deliver. But do the The tenants really understand it, do they give it much credence? As an industry I don’t think we have done enough in terms of teaching building developers, owners and designers about the value of intelligent Smart Building Technology. However, despite this slow adoption, we’ve got to be optimistic about the future of intelligent Smart Building Technology as we’ve started seeing some real growth in the last few years!

More convenience, more economy, more security… Intelligent building technology from Gira has made Mermaid Cottage, a stunning period property, both beautiful and smart. Centrally controlled house technology, time-dependent temperature control, automatic light control, keyless access and much more – everything is designed uniformly in this stunning South coast home.

Project Description

The smart building technology installed at Mermaid Cottage can be divided into three parts. For conventional installation the cottage features a selection of Gira products for electricity, light, door communication, communication technology and more. In addition to this two intelligent systems are installed that enable a high degree of comfort, security, flexibility and economy: the Gira Instabus KNX/EIB system and the Gira radio bus system:

1. Conventional installation

Mermaid cottage features socket outlets, dimmers, push switches, room temperature controllers, LED illumination, antenna connections, motion detectors, door intercom systems and more by Gira.

2. Gira Instabus KNX/EIB system

Intelligent building technology is realised within Mermaid Cottage via Gira’s flexible KNX bus technology system. Devices communicate with each other and exchange information within the system. For this an Instabus control line is installed parallel to the power line. Possibilities: requirement-specific use of lighting and heating, central control of light, blinds, ventilation and household devices, programming of specific lighting scenes, multimedia or music entertainment in all rooms, automatic watering of the garden, presence simulations and more.

3. Gira radio bus system

Mermaid cottage benefitted from simply retrofitting the intelligence, installation without the usual dirt and noise. A wide spectrum of control options have been realised such as light scenes, blind and heating control and automatic lighting, without walls having to be chopped. Communication occurs via transmitters and receivers.

Customer Comment

With Mermaid Cottage the Architect and the Client both wanted coordination, performance and that all important aesthetic appeal. Gira was selected from the start, it delivered on every level.

Top features

User Interface

Mermaid Cottage can be fully controlled via the Gira HomeServer 3, which features a uniformly structured interface design, whether a Gira/Pro-face Server Client 15, a laptop or the owners iPhone is used. Simple operation of the complex house technology – the concept of the new Gira interface focused mainly upon a high level of user friendliness, fast orientation and and a visually appealing information design. A clear and intuitive menu ensures quick access to all smart aspects of the home.

Kitchen

Intelligent functions:

• Blind controllers for time-dependent blind control
• Room temperature controller for heating control
• Push button sensor for controlling, switching and dimming
• Touchdimmer for the right lighting mood
• Control unit M217/M218 for operating the Revox multiroom system
• Flush-mounted radio installed into the wall
• Info Display as a compact display and switching station for the house technology
• Server Client 15 controls the Instabus KNX/EIB system
• Time clock easy to start devices at the desired times
• Radio weather station shows all weather information

Safety:

• Smoke detector basic/VdS warns in the case of smoke formation

Socket outlets:

• Socket outlets with child protection that protects against electrical shocks
• Socket outlets with rotated insert for devices with angled plugs
• Socket outlets with hinged cover above work surfaces – protects against splashes and dirt

Living Room

Intelligent functions:

• Blind controller for time-dependent blind control
• Room temperature controller for heating control
• Push button sensor for controlling, switching and dimming
• Touchdimmer for the right lighting mood
• Control unit M217/M218 for operating the Revox multiroom system
• TV gateway – see who is at the door via TV
• Info Display as a compact display and switching station for the house technology
• InfoTerminal Touch – the central switching unit for house technology
• Time clock easy to start devices at the desired times
• Radio weather station shows all weather information

Data connections:

• Antenna socket outlet – excellent reception for TV and radio
• Telephone socket outlet TAE for the right connection
• Stereo loudspeaker connection box Music enjoyment without tangled wires
• High-end loudspeaker plug connector for optimal sound quality
• Universal/ISDN connection box UAE/IAE for networking of telephone and PC

Safety:

• Smoke detector basic/VdS warns in the case of smoke formation

Socket outlets:

• Socket outlets with child protection protects against electrical shocks
• Socket outlets with rotated insert for devices with angled plugs
• Socket outlets with overvoltage protection avoids damage caused by excessive voltages

Bedrooms

Intelligent functions:

• Blind controller for time-dependent blind control
• Room temperature controller for heating control
• Push button sensor for controlling, switching and dimming
• Control unit M217/M218 for operating the Revox multiroom system
• Flush-mounted radio for installation in the wall
• Info Display as a compact display and switching station for the house technology
• InfoTerminal Touch – the central switching unit for house technology
• Time clock easy to start devices at the desired times
• Radio weather station shows all weather information

Data connections:

• Universal/ISDN connection box UAE/IAE for networking of telephone and PC
• Antenna socket outlet – excellent reception for TV and radio
• Telephone socket outlet TAE for the right connection

Safety:

• Smoke detector basic/VdS warns in the case of smoke formation
• Panic switch – full lighting at the press of a button

Socket outlets:

• Socket outlets with child protection protects against electrical shocks
• Socket outlets with rotated insert for devices with angled plugs
• Socket outlet with LED orientation light for orientation in the dark
• Socket outlet with overvoltage protection avoids damage caused by excessive voltages

Entrance Hall

Intelligent functions:

• Info Display as a compact display and switching station for the house technology
• InfoTerminal Touch – the central switching unit for house technology
• Push button sensor for controlling, switching and dimming
• Push switch with LED insert for better orientation
• Central circuit breaker – switch off everything at the press of a button
• Automatic control switch – there’s always light when it’s needed

Safety:

• Smoke detector basic/VdS warns in the case of smoke formation
• Radio door module Dialog for activating the radio alarm system

Socket outlets:

• Socket outlets with child protection protects against electrical shocks
• Socket outlets with LED orientation light for orientation in the dark

Door communication:

• Home station – informs you who is at the front door