
Particularly high energy-efficiency is found in intelligent ventilation and shading solutions. Automated solutions that regulate heating, air conditioning and lighting on a need-driven basis are already in widespread use. Intelligent control and monitoring of infrastructure technologies saves money and energy. The objective of building automation is to improve a structure's building physics properties through comprehensive control concepts and with the use of appropriate technologies. When renovating for energy efficiency, the necessary power and network connections can be realized with only a minimum of effort. Proactive planning in cooperation with all the parties involved in construction can prevent the need for an expensive and complicated upgrade at a later time. Although the advantages clearly outweigh the drawbacks, the use of automation technologies is still not possible everywhere due to the associated higher investments and the relatively high level of planning requirements faced by construction principles. In the area of building automation microprocessors are increasingly replacing classic analog regulation and control technologies with integrated control and monitoring systems featuring significantly larger functional ranges. The Building Innovation Alliance's research and development activities in the business unit "Smart Building" let the unit function as a liaison between architects and building infrastructure experts. However, the use of the appropriate solutions also calls for a separate infrastructure which must already be taken into account at the beginning of planning.


These demands can be met using modern automation technologies. Buildings and structures should be safe, energy-efficient and comfortable.
