Top 10: Smart Buildings

The world is increasingly driven by technology, particularly when it comes to the pursuit of sustainability.

Smart buildings — facilities which use intelligence to collect data from the likes of devices, sensors, systems and on-premises services — are setting new standards for sustainability, as well as efficiency and comfort. 

Across the world, cutting-edge structures are moving beyond mere architecture, integrating advanced systems like AI, IoT and renewable energy to create environments that adapt to the needs of their occupants. 

Here are some of the most innovative smart buildings worldwide, showcasing how modern engineering is shaping the future of urban living and sustainability.

10. Taipei 101

Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Owned by: Taipei Financial Center Corporation
Floor count: 101
Construction completed: 2003

The first skyscraper to exceed a height of more than 500m, Taipei 101 is the 11th tallest building in the world.

Formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, Taipei 101 achieved LEED Platinum certification in 2011 for its operations and maintenance, making it one of the tallest green buildings in the world. It incorporates energy-efficient lighting, low-flow water fixtures and a smart energy management system.

As well as this, water conservation is achieved throughout Taipei 101 via low-flow fixtures and rainwater harvesting. Its double-paned façade reduces solar heat gain, while air-handling units maintain optimal air quality.

9. Shanghai Tower

Location: Shanghai, China
Owned by: Yeti Construction and Development
Floor count: 133
Construction completed: 2014

Shanghai Tower exemplifies smart building technology thanks to its advanced features. It boasts a Central Energy Management Control System that optimises energy usage, while its smart sensors monitor and control environmental conditions. 

The structure — one of only four completed ‘megatall’ skyscrapers and home to offices for companies including JPMorgan, Alibaba and Allianz — has an ‘outer skin’ that allows natural light to enter while cutting down on air conditioning needs to reduce energy consumption. It also reduces wind load on the building, allowing the construction to use 25% less structural steel than a conventional design of a similar height.

As well as this, its high-speed elevators enhance efficiency and comfort, with renewable energy sources like wind turbines and a cogeneration system contributing to power generation for the building. A smart water management and an intelligent HVAC system further optimises resource use.

8. Torre Reforma

Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Owned by: Fondo Hexa
Floor count: 57
Construction completed: 2016

Taking the form of an open book encased by a glass façade, Mexico City’s Torre Reforma’s design is not just an aesthetic choice.

Holes in the glass provide natural ventilation, increasing the efficiency of air conditioning systems and requiring less energy use. It incorporates a Central Energy Management Control System to optimise energy efficiency, earning it a LEED Platinum certification.

Alongside this, Torre Reforma has a water treatment plant that recycles 100% of rain and wastewater for use in bathrooms and air conditioning.

7. Pasona Urban Farm

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Owned by: Pasona Group
Floor count: 9
Construction completed: 2010

By integrating urban agriculture, Pasona Urban Farm in Tokyo takes smart building technology to a whole new level. Its sophisticated climate control system monitors and adjusts humidity, temperature and airflow to optimise comfort for its human occupants as well as growth for the crops on its exterior. 

A retrofit of an existing building, the office space is home to more than 200 species of plants including fruits, rice and vegetables — foodstuffs that are harvested and served at the cafeterias in the building. It was designed to bring together three concepts — agriculture, health and eco-friendliness — to realise symbiosis with nature and recycling of resources. 

Outside of its agricultural offerings, Pasona Urban Farm has energy-efficient LED, fluorescent and HEFL lighting systems which illuminate office spaces as well as benefit the plants. An automatic irrigation system also manages water usage efficiently.

The building’s multifunctional approach enhances employee wellbeing, improves air quality and demonstrates sustainable urban farming practices within a corporate environment.

6. City Hall

Location: London, England
Owned by: Greater London Authority
Floor count: 3
Construction completed: 2012

Formerly known as The Crystal and opened as an exhibition centre for sustainable architecture design, City Hall is now home to the headquarters of the Greater London Authority (GLA), the regional government for Greater London.

The structure was built and opened by Siemens and was the first building in the world to reach the highest sustainable award levels of an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM rating alongside a LEED Platinum sustainable construction award. 

This is because it is equipped with ground source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic and thermal panels, a 60,000 litre rainwater tank and carpets made from recycled fishing nets. As well as this, its building management system has more than 2,500 KNX connected devices to increase efficiency through automation.

5. Bank of America Tower

Location: New York, USA
Owned by: Bank of America
Floor count: 55
Construction completed: 2009

Designed by Cookfox and Adamson Associates, The Bank of America Tower exemplifies smart building technology, particularly through its intelligent SolarwareTM Control System for automated sun-tracking and scheduling of motorised louvred blinds. This optimises daylight and thermal management.

Despite its staggering size — covering 2.1 million square feet of office space — it was the first commercial skyscraper in the US to attain a LEED Platinum certification. Although the building’s energy efficiency features increased construction costs by 6.5% , it is expected to save US$3m each year in energy costs as well as increase productivity by US$7m annually. 

Other efficient and smart offerings include its sophisticated energy management system, including on-site power generation and cogeneration for efficient heating and cooling. Smart water conservation measures include waterless urinals and rainwater harvesting and a green roof enhances insulation and biodiversity.

4. Bullitt Center

Location: Seattle, USA
Owned by: Bullitt Foundation
Floor count: 6
Construction completed: 2012

The Bullitt Centre’s contributions to energy efficiency and sustainability were evident from the very beginning, with the structure officially opened on Earth Day in 2013. Even predating this, the facility was designed to be the greenest commercial building worldwide. 

This legacy has continued throughout its operations. In its first decade, the building has generated 30% more energy than it has used thanks to the solar panels on its roof, making it one of the globe’s largest net-positive energy buildings.

To discourage driving, the building has no parking spaces but a plethora of bike racks to promote more sustainable travel choices. As well as this, it has 26 geothermal wells that extend 120 metres into the ground to help stabilise its temperature.

3. Bosco Verticale

Location: Milan, Italy
Owned by: COIMA
Floor count: 11
Construction completed: 2012

Bosco Verticale means vertical forest and these buildings certainly live up to the name. Designer Stefano Boeri describes them as: “a house for trees inhabited by humans”.

These two residential skyscrapers reach 116 metres and 84 metres tall and include an 11-storey office building. They contain almost 100 plant species including tall shrubs and trees that are distributed on the facades. 

The 20,000 trees and plants in the buildings convert approximately 20,000kg of carbon each year. This vegetation is equivalent to that found in one hectare of forest.

Plants are irrigated using a centralised maintenance drip irrigation system that uses reclaimed graywater produced by the building.

The buildings use heat pump technology to reduce heating and cooling costs and emissions. 

2. One Central Park

Location: Sydney, Australia
Owned by: Frasers Property
Floor count: 34 and 12
Construction completed: 2013

A mixed-use dual high-rise, One Central Park is made up of two residential apartment towers as well as a six-level retail shopping centre at the base.

In 2013, it was awarded a 5 star Green Star – ‘Multi-Unit Residential Design v1’ Certified Rating by the Green Building Council of Australia, making it the largest multi-residential building in Australia to receive such a designation.

As well as this, One Central Park’s vertical hanging gardens, which stretch more than 50 metres high, make it home to the world’s tallest vertical garden, boasting more than 35,000 plants across 23 green walls.

The building features an innovative cantilever heliostat system, consisting of motorised mirrors that reflect sunlight onto gardens and atriums below, maximising natural light in otherwise shaded areas.

Its advanced water management system includes the world’s largest membrane bioreactor facility, capable of servicing 4,000 residents and more than 15,000 daily visitors and workers. 

This comprehensive approach to water recycling and management significantly reduces the building’s reliance on external water sources.

1. The Edge

Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Owned by: Edge
Floor count: 14
Construction completed: 2014

One of the world’s best and most efficient smart buildings, The Edge leads the charge thanks to its exceptional energy efficiency and integration of cutting-edge technology.

It achieved the highest BREEAM score ever for an office building — 98.36% — mainly because it produces more energy than it consumes through its extensive solar panel network and an innovative aquifer thermal energy storage system that efficiently manages heating and cooling. 

The building — home to offices for Deloitte, Salesforce and Henkel — has an ethernet-powered lighting system, developed with Philips, which is 80% more efficient than conventional lighting. Its 28,000 sensors provide real-time data on environmental conditions, optimising energy use and enhancing occupant comfort through a smartphone app.

One of the most mind blowing smart features this building boasts? A smartphone app, which makes it possible for coffee machines to recognise individuals and dispense their favourite coffee, as well as changing the temperature and environment of each room based on an individual’s preferences. Talk about smart.

**************

Make sure you check out the latest edition of Energy Digital Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series - Sustainability LIVE 2024

**************

Energy Digital is a BizClik brand.