Advanced Technologies

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 internal 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