Mapua University

School of Architecture, Industrial Design, and Built Environment

A Research Paper on
Smart Systems in Buildings: Its Social and Human Impacts

Submitted to:
Prof. Jennifer Bangayan
Submitted by:
Banela, Ray Matthew S. &
Tongco, Carolyn Grace B.
INTRODUCTION

Innovation, Technology and Sustainability. These three factors work hand

in hand to create a harmonious built environment. The health and well-being of the
building occupants should always be a priority, thus, the built environment should be
designed, renovated, and constructed to promote healthy environments and behaviors
and mitigate adverse health outcomes. In the field of Architecture, Vitruvius stated an
architect should focus on three central themes when preparing a design for a building:
firmitas (strength), utilitas (functionality), and venustas (beauty). Moreover, a building
should have the quality of being suited to serve a purpose well, it should correspond the
occupants’ needs. The design of buildings affects outdoor and indoor temperature, air
and water quality, and indoor daylighting which directly affects the occupants. To
explain further, The built environment is more than a collection of buildings, it involves
more than that—the interconnectedness of the occupants to the buildings,
infrastructures, transportation system and open space. (Heidari, et. Al 2016)

At this contemporary age, smart buildings and smart infrastructures are emerging
because of the immense change in needs and wants of the people. These buildings
have these features: Integrated and automated systems such as Building Automation
and Energy Management Systems, fire and life safety, environmental conditions,
security, and telecommunications; Information gathering and monitoring systems with
data sharing and interoperability amongst systems, often in real time and with some
“corrective action and reaction” capability; Sustainable and environmentally accountable
location, materials selection, demolition, design, construction, and operations and
management practices; (Groot, et.al 2013)

Assessing the psychological, social and anthropological effects of a building is an

essential need to present a way on how to further inculcate a healthy workplace not only
for its occupants, but also in the built environment itself. This research paper aims to
know the psychological, social, anthropological and other factors relevant that affects
the occupants in a smart building, which is applicable at this contemporary time.

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CONTENT

1.1 Smart Buildings

Figure 1: An example of Smart building, Capital tower, Singapore

A smart building is any structure that uses programmed activities to automatically

control the building’s operations including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting,
security and other systems. It uses sensors, actuators and microchips, in order to
collect data and manage it according to a business’ functions and services. This
infrastructure helps owners, operators and facility managers improve asset reliability
and performance, which reduces energy consumption, optimizes how space is used
adequately and minimizes the environmental footprints of buildings.

Making a smart building, or making a building smart, begins by linking

fundamental systems such as lighting, power meters, water meters, pumps, heating, fire
alarms and chiller plants with sensors and control systems. At a more advanced stage,
even elevators, access systems and shading can become part of the system. (Tracy,
2016)

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1.2 Criteria of a Smart Building

In determining if a building may be considered a Smart Building, it shall undergo

certain criteria. In light with a study conducted by Omar (2018), the criterion for the
selection of intelligent buildings include the following:

The first criterion for the selection of an intelligent building is its Intelligent Skins.
According to Omar (2018), the building, in order to be selected as an intelligent building,
shall bear interactive facades or interactive exterior features, which may be done
through the application of smart skins, programmable surfaces, responsive facades,
interactive building envelopes, modular Brise Soleil and more.

The second criterion for the selection of an intelligent building is its BAS or
Building Automation System or also referred to as the BACS or Building Automation and
Control System. As discussed in class, the Building Automation System is an organized
program or system which covers both hardware and software, connecting key elements
of a building such as the HVAC system (heating, venting and air conditioning, security,
fire alarms, and other systems to be directed to a single control panel

The third criterion for the selection of an intelligent building is its BMS or Building
Management System. Albeit confused for being similar with the BAS (Building
Automation System), the Building Management System according to the class
discussion, is the system which evaluates the data given by the BAS (Building
Automation System)

The fourth criterion for the selection of an intelligent building is the utilization of
varying sensors, namely environmental and interaction sensors. According to Pressac
Communications (2019), environmental sensors include temperature sensors, humidity
sensors, motion/occupancy sensors, contact sensors, gas/air-quality sensors, electrical
current sensors, and more. These environmental sensors, according to the class
discussion, aids in the fire alarm systems of buildings. While interaction sensors on the
other hand are sensors which aid and interact with the building’s users.

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 The fifth criterion for the selection of an intelligent building is the utilization of
smart materials and renewable resources. The use of smart materials include the use of
Interactive Materials such as entertainment systems which serve as artificial intelligence
to entertain and guide the users of the building. Renewable resources include the use of
geothermal materials, wind turbines, and solar panels.

1.3 Are Smart Buildings Ethical?

Nowadays, sensor-based technologies are the key element in providing

innovation, emergent and efficiency for the different sectors in a building, to mention a
few sectors, Elevators, Heating Ventilation and Air conditioning. When it comes to smart
buildings, one of the most important components is data. To enable smart applications
in a building, the data needs to be collected, stored and processed, it should follow a
series of process to accomplish the task. Sensors, robots, real-time surveillance footage
system and etc. are few examples of application of smart system. (Dukes, 2008)

Smart technology can be extremely invasive when it is not regulated by proper

policies and control mechanisms; however, it can also prove to be extremely effective in
propelling our society forward in a positive manner when implemented correctly. In a
smart city, the data is never ending, it is more than a man can imagine. The availability
of this data increases the possibilities of misuse by those who have it. Rules, policies,
regulations, and laws can limit misconduct, but there is always room for major problems
given the vast amount of data available and the deep penetration of the data collection
process in every aspect of occupants’ lives. In controlling this data, its flow and use
need to be considered not only from the technical perspective (i.e., proper storage,
access, security, etc.), but also from the ethical perspective. Ensuring proper use and
limiting the possibilities of ethical misconduct is the key to implementing a successful
and habitable smart building.

To assess and relate it to Philippines’ business districts, it is evident that the

buildings have already applied smart applications to further make the work more
efficient and fast-paced. It is cost-effective, but is it ethical? That is the real question that

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is asked. Of course, it has beneficial effects to the occupants but to see the
disadvantages are also a must. If used incorrectly, could lead to disastrous
consequences to the people who have used it. Knowing the situation in the Philippines,
security and fairly designed applications should be ensured because as we know it, the
country is not far up in terms of technology when compared to other advanced cities like
Japan and Singapore. The use of smart applications will be ethical, if used fairly and
unbiased. Otherwise, it may lead to unfair justice and inefficient workplace. (Clever et.
al, 2018)

1.4 Smart Buildings in a Psychological Perspective

Smart buildings and cities give great emphasis to being “human-centric” by

placing occupant and resident health and safety at the top of their list of priorities. They
talk about how their design goes beyond efficiency to increasing health using lighting,
air quality monitoring, and a variety of other techniques. The underlying question about
the emerging smart buildings is: Does efficiency equates to effectivity and authenticity?

An interview was conducted with Mr. Rolf Peter Delos Santos, A BS Psychology
graduate of De La Salle Dasmarinas. The question was: How do smart buildings affect
human interaction? He was also asked about the ethical perspective regarding smart
buildings.

“Sa tingin ko, at this age, there are new technologies popping up everywhere, it is
inevitable because us, humans, always strive for something new. We always want to
learn, we always need to have improvement to make our lives easier. Yes, yung
architecture ngayon it prioritizes kung paano mabilis gumawa, but it fails to give
authenticity to a person’s lives, it makes us feel na were also as a system, as if we are
included in the system of smart buildings.” As quoted from the interview with Mr. Delos
Santos.

A theory called “Bo-miljø,” which translates to “living environment,” include;

human contact, privacy, varied experiences, purposefulness, play, structure and
orientation within environment, ownership and identification with the community and

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space, and aesthetics and beauty (memoori, 2018). As we move into a new era of
urban design, fueled by the internet of things and smart technologies, these principles of
Bo-miljø could be applied by finding space for walking, exercising, playing and
socializing space, even in the most built up areas. It corresponds to the psychological
needs of a human being in a smart workplace, it gives them the eight essential
psychological needs that people have in relation with their environment.

Furthermore, Mr. Delos Santos have also mentioned that innovation has its risks,
much especially here in the Philippines where technology needs more advancement
and security. But as mentioned in the second part of this paper, with great acquisition of
privacy and unbiased use, smart buildings will help the occupants flourish and be more
efficient in their work.

1.5 Smart Buildings in an Information Technologist’s Perspective

The second respondent to be interviewed was Mr. Mark Daeniel Alamida, a

bachelor’s degree holder in the field of information technology. Serving as the
introduction to the interview, the researchers introduced the topic, the purpose of the
interview, and asked if the respondent was familiar with smart buildings, in which he
said he is. Before the interview, the respondent read through the research’s content.
The first question asked to the respondent was what his views on the implementation of
smart systems in buildings is; he responded:

“I think that these smart buildings really improve the quality of life of its users through
the interactivity of facilities, as well as the environment through the use of renewable
resources.”

In this response, the respondent stated his view on the benefits of a smart
system utilized in a building which are improvements on the quality of life and
environmental factors. Since the respondent stated positive effects of the topic, the next
question asked was what his stand on the utilization of the smart system is and if he
sees any negative effects in the utilization of it; he responded:

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“Considering my field of work, this would be of course a big step towards technology. It
is also good news that systems that we develop can help prevent disasters through the
mentioned BMS and BAS in your paper’s body. If I were to see the flaws of this smart
system, it would be the jobs that will be replaced by Artificial Intelligence and as we are
experiencing in our society right now, the diminishing human interaction because of
technology.”

In this response, the responded added the safety features which smart systems
in buildings improve, but also stated the negative effects of utilizing a smart system in a
building. One of these include the jobs which will be replaced by the artificial
intelligence; this phenomenon may be correlated to the Industrial Revolution, wherein
the workforce was greatly affected as the jobs were overtaken by the then-newly
produced machines. The respondent also stated that he believes that human interaction
would also be lessened due to the rise of technology, as we now witness. These
diminishing human interactions may be cause by information given right at our fingertips
at smart buildings’ interactive programs which provide information at an instant,
eliminating the need to communicate with other individuals for information.

CONCLUSION

In light of the gathered data through research and interviews, the researchers
conclude that there are varying effects brought by the implementation of a smart system
in a building (making it an intelligent building) poses several impacts to the social aspect
and lifestyle of humans.

These effects vary as there are positive and negative effects; the positive effects
include the betterment of the quality of life, as smart systems help us navigate through
our daily routines with much more efficiency. Smart Systems also contribute to the
environment as it makes use of renewable resources and lastly, smart systems
enhance the safety of its users through the numerous systems which work together to
prevent or diminish the risk of a disaster. Despite these positive effects, innovation has
unavoidable risks as the smart systems also has its negative effects. These negative

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effects include the less workforce needed, less jobs for humans as the smart systems
replace the functions of humans. In addition to this, smart systems also discourage
human interactions, as stated by respondents.

In conclusion, the smart systems may be of great advancement in technology as

we look into its benefits to humans but as mentioned, innovation has its risks which is
usually overlooked, and in this case, the social and physiological needs of humans are
affected.

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REFERENCES

Clever, S., Crago, T., Polka, A., Al-Jaroodi, J., Mohamed,N. (2018). Ethical Analyses of
Smart City Applications. Urban Science. 2. 96. 10.3390/urbansci2040096.
Dukes, E. (2008). 5 Intelligent Building Examples We Can’t Stop Talking About.
Retrieved from https://www.iofficecorp.com/blog/intelligent-building-examples
Groot, J., van den Berg, A., Steg, L. (2013). Environmental psychology: An introduction.
Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262207437_Environmental_psychology_An_in
troduction
Heidari, L., Younger, M., Chandler, G., Gooch, J. Scramm, H. (2016). Integrating Health
Into Buildings Of The Future. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5784210/
Memoori. (2018). Is Human Psychology Being Neglected in Our Smart Buildings and
Cities?. Retrieved from https://memoori.com/human-psychology-neglected-smart-
buildings-cities/

Omar, O. (2020). Intelligent Building, Definitions, Factors And Evaluation Criteria Of

Selection. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/ntelligent-Buildings-
Criteria-Selection-Fundamental-Level-Secondary-level-By-Author_fig1_329213265

Pressac Communications. (2019). Types Of Smart Building Sensor And How They
Work. Retrieved from https://www.pressac.com/insights/types-of-smart-building-sensor-
and-how-they-work/

Tracy, S. (2016). What Is A Smart Building And How Can It Benefit You?. Retrieved
from https://www.rcrwireless.com/20160725/business/smart-building-tag31-tag99

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