SBIF and Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW Berlin) / System Design enter into cooperation agreement

• Project: User-centred consideration of smart buildings as a dynamic system
• Objective: List of measures for user-optimized design of smart buildings

Berlin, 11 January 2023. The non-profit Smart Building Innovation Foundation (SBIF), established in early 2022, and the System Design course at Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW Berlin) have agreed on an area of future cooperation. In a joint project supervised at the university by Prof Pelin Celik, School of Design and Culture, System Design, new method-based fundamentals will be explored for the representation of complex, user-centred dynamics and systemic connections in a smart building.

To achieve this, surveys will examine the interaction between user and smart building. The main focus here will be on correlations or systemic connections between building efficiency (technology), user focus (user acceptance and user satisfaction) and interaction (manner, intensity and possibility of interaction, etc. …). As a variable that influences the other factors, interaction between users and smart buildings will be at the centre of the project. The study will concentrate on the operational phase of a smart building. In a further step, the findings will allow conclusions to be drawn for planning. These findings from the project and the resulting value added will be publicly presented and made available to the business and academic world. Measures listed in order of priority give specific recommendations for action and planning.

Creating healthier, more sustainable and more efficient buildings

Smart buildings play a crucial role in achieving lasting urban sustainability. Their overall efficiency is significantly dependent on user/technology interaction and systemic consideration. Many different factors experienced in combination influence the extent to which an employee feels at ease in an office – these include the interaction between room temperature, air quality and lighting. Another example is the way in which office buildings with flexible rooms are used. Intuitive and efficient negotiation of office buildings by their occupants can be influenced by smart elevator technology and signposting systems. These examples show that interaction can accelerate acceptance and practical use of technical innovations, yet act as a hindrance as well.