List-style article produced for a global plumbing and electrical distributor – details redacted for client confidentiality. 

 

It might seem that technology has already made its way inside the heart of every building, office, workspace, and car, but in truth we are all still figuring out how to best use technology to its greatest advantage. Part of this continuous research and development process is looking at how technology can transform the world around us, particularly when it comes to the built environment. 

We’ve found four key trends in building and architectural technology that are transforming the four walls around you every day. 

 

1. IOT and Sensor Technology

IOT, otherwise known as Internet of Things, may have a deceptively simple name, but the concept behind it is revolutionary. IOT uses sensors and data capture systems to monitor a building or space, reading into the data and identifying any issues. For buildings, some of the main challenges like reducing running costs, being more energy efficient, ensuring spaces are comfortable and used appropriately, and reducing overall downtime, can be addressed using IOT systems.  

Using IOT in built environments allows all these key issues and more to be tracked and traced to the source of the problem. Building and property managers can then make an informed decision about how best to tackle the root problem, rather than addressing a surface issue. Using intelligent solutions and technologies, such as our offering from [client redacted], helps transform a building to be smarter, healthier, more cost efficient and better prepared for the future. 

 

2. Adaptable buildings

Things move fast in modern society, and as fixed spaces, buildings can struggle to keep up and retain their usefulness. While buildings should be ‘built to last’, part of that mindset needs to include the fact that most buildings will be different things in their lifetime. The longer a building can remain in use, the more effective and efficient it is for all. 

Using technology that is designed to be upgraded and swapped out is a huge part of this. Push fit technologies by [client redacted] are simple to fit and change out in the event of an upgrade, limiting the need for extensive downtime in a building while work is carried out. An adaptable building should aim to work with people to allow continuous improvement; using upgrade-friendly technology and thinking ahead when commissioning a building can make a big difference. 

 

3. Modular sections and 3D printing

Adaptability comes in many forms, and the use of room modules and module-based building is on the rise. Helping buildings and spaces be more flexible to the needs of users and inhabitants, modular buildings have enjoyed a rise in popularity over recent years and are increasingly popular with open plan builds, as it gives the opportunity to play with the space available and try out new ways to see how it can be best used. 

Part of this modular technology includes the use of 3D printing, a technique which is helping change the way we think about construction. It’s predicted that within the next decade we could be seeing fully 3D printed houses on the market, so it’s a not a trend that will be disappearing anytime soon. 3D printing technology is beneficial because it’s cheap, easy to install and replace, and can incorporate all kinds of materials in one place for production, eliminating the need to involve multiple different stages of a supply chain. Plastic component technology such as [redacted] has the potential to move into 3D printing without compromising on product performance and delivery. 

This cheap and easy technology makes 3D printing a great partner for modular buildings, as they both suit offsite assembly and production and can be designed to simply slot into place. With things like fibre optic cabling and charging/cabling stations becoming more common, having infrastructure elements that can easily swap in and out makes it a central part of the built environment. 

 

4. Carbon neutrality and green efficiency

It’s one of the hottest topics on the lips of every journalist, politician, scientist and more – climate change and reducing carbon emissions is of the highest importance, and everyone has a role to play in ‘doing their bit’. Buildings use a lot of resources to keep running, such as electricity, gas and water, and all of these need to be monitored to make sure that not only is the building running efficiently, but that the resources used aren’t being wasted. 

Linked with the IOT approach, there are a number of ways to have greater transparency of what’s going on inside a building. Using tracking apps and smart sensors, it’s possible to make changes to stop excess waste, resolve hidden issues, and educate building users about how they can make spaces more eco-friendly. Apps like [redacted] are ideal for use in the home to help avoid costly and wasteful leaks and can be rolled out across commercial spaces too.

 

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