Introductory Post

Week 1
Bregande
GROUP C
Introductory Post

My Background:

                As stated in the Introductory Survey, my experience with building automation comes from the work I did during my first two Co-ops.  Working for a small energy management firm in Center City for two years taught me a broad range of energy efficiency methods and their implementations.  Although our work was more oriented in mass product upgrades, such as lighting and HVAC, in the “Big Box” setting, I had some brief hands on experience with Automated Building Systems and different controls used to monitor and provide feedback and changes in efficiency.

Course Expectations:

                Given only one class a week, I am expecting to learn about a broad range of systems and methods for improving the overall efficiency of a building.  It will then be up to my own accord to really investigate and get the most out of what is briefly introduced to me.  I find the content interesting and very relevant and for these reasons look forward to gaining any knowledge possible. 

Personal Definition of “Intelligent Buildings”:

                I define an intelligent building as one that is not only designed to function efficiently on a day to day basis but is created to be efficient from day one.  This means that the materials, location, building methods, and all aspects of design are considered.  Personally, I find the most intelligent buildings to be ones constructed underground.  These designs are cheap and take advantage of natural thermal properties in order to provide aspects that can be very costly otherwise.  The more modern and common way to describe an intelligent building would be one that is virtually monitored and ran by computer systems for maximum efficiency purposes.