The 'Intelligent Office' Concept makes the Difference

Abstract

The 'intelligent building' concepts developed at the beginning of the 1980s formed the starting point for the construction of 'smart homes' and 'intelligent offices'. Now intelligent concepts are becoming established as the target level for all buildings, and the focus has shifted to the introduction of sustainable intelligent solutions. The study of intelligent offices by VTT proved the intelligent office concepts to have good energy efficiency. It proved also them to be, from the users' point of view, capable of increasing work efficiency and to some extent diminishing job related trips. Simultaneously, intelligence means an advantageous and comfortable working environment.

The advantages are due to the intelligent architecture and the technical solutions installed. According to the study, it seems that simply the use of the intelligent concept as a holistic approach to the building design, makes the difference between a high quality office building and the intelligent office. Consequently, the message for building managers is that even the idea of integrated and user oriented concept in planning is enough. Work efficiency, reduction of traffic, energy efficiency, health issues and cost benefit ratio, all speak for intelligent offices.