Advanced Technologies: Building in the Computer Age

The building of tomorrow will be full of elements which will react intelligently to the changing conditions inside and outside - a fascinating and useful overview. In the last twenty years we have seen radical changes take place in the design of buildings. Present-day constructions are incorporating more and more elements which are intelligent , providing a high degree of flexibility. Electronic systems control the regulation of light, temperature and energy flows, security devices are automated, even facades and the intemal structures are becoming intelligent . More recently, the advances in Information Technology are making what was once considered futuristic a very real possibility. Building automation , where everything within an edifice is integrated and linked up is examined and investigated in this publication, providing a concise overview of the latest developments which will be helpful for both architects and engineers.