Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Spotlight on Intelligent Buildings

  • 07/17/18

Building automation systems/intelligent buildings are changing the way spaces are used. The K-12 environment is no exception, with school staff trying to find ways to optimize student comfort and learning in news ways that can be automated within an intelligent building system.

Everything from classroom temperature to building security features can be controlled with an intelligent building system. The learning curve for understanding and utilizing intelligent buildings can be steep, a fact Dale Klein of Parallel Technologies is well aware of. Having seen the rise and development of intelligent buildings in the K-12 education space, Dale speaks with the magazine about some of the general and K-12-specific elements of these versatile systems, and how the technologies are progressing.

Q. What are some ways technology can help keep offices comfortable for employees and classrooms at a comfortable temperature in all seasons?

A. Most contemporary building automation systems are made up of complex software that manages heating and cooling in buildings, which allow for a lot of flexibility. The challenge is that these systems are largely unaware of how individuals are using the building.

We believe that employing various sensors along with building automation systems will provide the answer. The sensors can gather real-time data about occupancy levels and other relevant information about how the building is being used to provide more insight on how to make students and employees more comfortable.

In time, artificial intelligence or machine learning will be utilized to very accurately predict how employees and students will use a building. This technology will utilize all data being gathered to allow for buildings to be managed fairly autonomously.

Q. How does technology help to protect students, employees, and office space/equipment?

A. It’s already happening all over with a lot of interesting technologies. Software-based access control and video surveillance are commonplace. These technologies work together to tie events with video to provide very responsive solutions. The industry is moving into advance video analytics, such as license plate recognition (LPR).

For instance, LPR could be used to understand who is at your building, and perhaps who should not be. This is used today on many school and college campuses. Gunshot detection technology is also being used to discover situations and provide alerts to the appropriate people.

Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add about the future of this technology?

A. We are at the very beginning stages of discovering how buildings are going to be managed for energy, safety and security, and efficiencies.

Featured

  • Minnesota District Converts Middle School into Community Hub

    White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced the end of a major renovation project that converted a former middle school into a new centralized district and community hub, according to a news release.

  • Longwood University Hits Construction Milestone on New Music Education Facility

    Longwood University in Farmville, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of its new music education and performance facility, according to a news release. The university partnered with development and construction firm Skanska on the 63,800-square-foot facility, which began construction in August 2025 and has an estimated completion date of fall 2028.

  • Nashville Elementary School Receives LEED Gold Certification

    Goodlettsville Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn., recently achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a news release. The 81,750-square-foot school opened in 2023 and was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

  • Virginia Tech Tops Out New College of Engineering Building

    Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of Mitchell Hall, which will soon stand as the largest College of Engineering building on campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with Skanska on the 285,500-square-foot facility, which has an expected completion date of winter 2028.