Smart and Hyperconnected Buildings: The Trend that is Dominating in Latin America

Within the accelerated advance of Smart Cities and their digital ecosystem, the so-called smart buildings have appeared at the same time, and along with it, the beginning of a change of infrastructures and paradigms with no turning back.

Smart Buildings are those whose installations and systems (air conditioning, lighting, electricity, security, telecommunications, multimedia, IT, access control, etc.) allow integrated and automated management and control, in order to increase energy efficiency, security, usability and accessibility.

As cities become smart, so do their means of transportation, infrastructures and buildings. That is why, through technology, the aim is to control access and security, the use of energy resources, air conditioning and temperature installations, the domotization of household tasks and; in short, to carry out an efficient management of all systems in an automated and controlled way.

By 2023, Smart Buildings will have more than 483 million devices (sensors, equipment, appliances, etc.) connected globally. An average annual increase of 33%, according to the latest Berg Insight report.

A digital building has several systems that rely on technology, networks and IoT. Its design and infrastructure aim to facilitate administration and management, making it more efficient and cost-effective. On the other hand, the development of automation systems for lighting, HVAC and security systems provides better control of building operations and costs for years to come.

Therefore, a smart building must include the automation of all its systems, be equipped with controlled installations; through domotic systems managed by advanced connectivity technologies. This automated management and control allows to increase energy efficiency, security, usability and accessibility.

On the other hand, its environmental impact is low. If we talk about an intelligent building, it must be built using effective and efficient materials and systems, respecting the environment and the surroundings; reaching maximum levels of efficiency and energy savings in all its air conditioning, ventilation and lighting systems, thus reducing polluting emissions to a minimum.

In recent years, R&D investments by industrial groups such as Furukawa have made it possible to develop hyperconnectivity technologies such as Laserway and its Green Building network.

These 100% optical technologies contribute to the reduction of energy consumption, cooling systems and the amount of petroleum-derived material used in cabling, in addition to providing a longer life time than a traditional cabling solution, and more speed and security in digital data transmission.

In short, an intelligent building has led to important technological advances, and along with this, it increases its added value with respect to conventional constructions, since they generate greater interest, directly affecting their market value in terms of their sale or rental prices.