Smart Buildings in Relation to Human Behavior and Cultural Influences in Egypt

*Reham M.M. Mohie El-Din* 

#### **Abstract**

 Technology has been dominating the world for a while now, buildings included; seeking in part human's welfare, comfort, and security, in addition to resources conservation. Thus, it created Smart and High-Tech architecture that integrated with sustainability evolving the Eco-Tech buildings. In theory, all smart buildings with their advanced technologies can accomplish a lot, however, in the application, human behavior and cultural influences can either make the theory succeed or fail. Hence, this chapter aims at exploring the effect of these two factors on the level of success of smart buildings. This will be achieved throughout analyzing the Egyptian experience and studying some of its smart buildings.

**Keywords:** sustainability, smart buildings, human behavior, Egypt smart buildings, cultural influences

#### **1. Introduction**

 Living in an era of widespread and ongoing extreme technological revolution, had its effect on the building industry. This wave of smartness allowed technology to take part in architectural design since the middle of the nineteenth century [1], creating intelligent, smart, and high-tech buildings. It expanded to include green and sustainable buildings, when they combine technology with living needs and environmental requirements, thus striving to meet high-performance considerations [2]. Actually, various architects were stimulated with smart buildings only for the sake of achieving sustainability [3]. This integration created the echo-tech architecture, as will be further explained. In the future, smart buildings aim at developing self-sustaining and totally automated buildings to meet the increasing demand for energy together with others cultural, environmental, and human needs [2].

While normal buildings, annually, become 3–5% less efficient; smart buildings should maintain a high-performance level, thus require smart users and smart operators [4]. Occupants spend around 80% of their living time inside buildings [5]. Thus it is crucial to engage them with the building allowing them to control their environment in order to be safe, comfortable, and sustaining a high-performance operation as well. Additionally, these buildings can monitor and analyze how occupants conduct within them [6]. They contain smart sensors, systems, and materials within buildings, which is the latest and most advanced technology [3]. For example, they use automated systems which control the internal environment and can communicate with occupants [7].

 Therefore, this study focuses on understanding the variations between the definition and application of smart buildings, mainly in regard to human behavior and cultural influences. In other words, it analyzes the gap, if there is one, between theory and practice targeting the developing countries, by using Egypt as a case study. In addition, it will illustrate the relationship between sustainability and smart buildings. Therefore, the research will be divided into three parts. The first part will include a comprehensive illustration of smart buildings, followed by the understanding of the human and cultural considerations and effects. Then, it will end by analyzing the Egyptian society throughout various ways.

#### **2. Research methodology**

The research used two main approaches: the theoretical and the practical. Generally, both adopted the analytical methodology to achieve their goals. During the study period, it was clear that there is no clear comprehension of the meaning of smart buildings among many of the research study sample. Since the full comprehension of the nature of these buildings is crucial to the achievement of the research goals, to later on link them with the research two other variables; the human behavior and culture influences. Thus firstly, the theoretical part focused on establishing a comprehensive understanding of smart buildings as the base of the study. This is followed by an elaboration to the meaning and importance of human behavior and cultural influences in the scope of smart buildings and their success.

 As for the practical part; it discusses the Egyptian experience in the abovementioned area. The research depends on surveying and gathering data for Egypt in 2018 to acquire updated information. Thus the researcher conducted more than 40 interviews presenting different experts, companies, and organizations with various specialties involved in the building sector. Although the participants are not anonymous to the study, all identifying information will remain confidential [8]. Thus, the research will include the overall analyzed output of these interviews. Moreover, the used case studies aim to further illustrate the role of human behavior and culture influence in both public and residential buildings. The researcher depended mainly in analyzing them on the information supported by their architectural firms and public building facility manager.

#### **3. Smart buildings**

#### **3.1 Terminologies and definition**

 There are multiple terminologies and definitions addressing smart buildings as a concept [6]. In terms, there are Intelligent, Smart, and High-Tech Buildings. They represent an evolution to the concept throughout time, but with one fundamental aim, which is adopting a high level of technology. Thus the study will use Smart Buildings' term while presenting a comprehensive understanding of it. In definition, smart buildings are buildings which sustain the latest technologies of the era, in response to the users' demands and to adapt to the internal and external circumstances and environment [3]. They are flexible buildings that use technology to modulate themselves through using various systems and services, hence maintaining internal equilibrium. The building turns to be a number of computercontrolled [1] smart environments that gather and use information about the internal environment and its occupants to enhance their experience within that environment [3].

*Smart Buildings in Relation to Human Behavior and Cultural Influences in Egypt DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836* 

#### **3.2 Aims**

There are three main aims to smart buildings: longevity, energy efficiency in addition to comfort, and well-being. This means smart buildings have lower energy consumption rates [6], in addition to reduced maintenance costs [9], and focused resources [10], while maintaining high-performance level over a long period of time [6]. It also means that smart buildings aim at creating a more comfortable, safe, and secure built environment for occupants, to increase their satisfaction levels [2]. Thus, the buildings will be adaptive, accounting for the users' various perceptions of comfort, the changes in the buildings or in their use, in addition to the changes in the external climate conditions [6].

This will be achieved through using various technologies that are considered the latest and most updated, such as building information modeling (BIM), smart materials, building automated systems (BAS), and building management systems (BMS). The building will have computer-controlled systems, services, and networks, which requires wired and wireless IT services, in addition to electronic sensors and monitors, and voice, video, and data services. The technologies used can be related to specific building functions such as mechanical and lighting systems. For example, the BAS will preserve the indoor climate within a certain range of human comfort. It communicates with occupants and thus provides lighting and air conditioning levels based on their behaviors and needs, using occupancy schedules [9]. Finally, some opinions view smart aims to revolve in the same horizon as the sustainability aims. But what is the real relation between them?

#### **3.3 Sustainability and echo-tech architecture**

For a long time now, the world has been increasingly concerned about climate change due to the increase in the carbon footprint. It is common knowledge that buildings account for about 40% of the global carbon emissions. Commercial buildings alone in developed countries contribute with up to 20%, which is about half of the total emissions. In answer to that need and many others, sustainable or green architecture evolved [10]. Although the definition of sustainability is always changing [11], however, it could be said that sustainability is simply meeting today's needs without coming over or compromising the ability to satisfy future generations' needs. These needs involve social and cultural needs in addition to environmental needs; hence it changes from one society and region to another [1]. Some of the fundamental aims of sustainability will be illustrated in **Table 1**.

Throughout fulfilling these aims, sustainable buildings actually succeeded in achieving many goals. For example, they can reduce potable water use by about 35%, with zero water discharge in addition to an overall energy consumption savings of about 50%. The reduction in lighting consumption reached 88%, with 90% of building needs is achieved from daylight. As for materials used, around 80% can be either recycled or recyclable. Furthermore, 75% of users can have an outside view [11]. So, the question came back to the nature of the relationship between smart buildings and sustainability.

 As illustrated in **Table 1**, the three main aims of smart buildings are part of sustainability fundamental aims. So why some specialists still do not consider it as an environmentally conscious architecture. They debate that while some of its designs can be sustainable, others are not, and thus it is not. According to them, it works in regard to technology and not sustainability. In other words, what makes the difference is the methodology in applying the aims. Additionally, it does not achieve some of the core aims of sustainability. Thus, smart buildings are not necessarily sustainable, simultaneously; sustainable buildings are not necessarily smart. However,


#### **Table 1.**

*The main aims of sustainability, while bolding the smart aims found in them [1].* 

#### **Figure 1.**

*The relationship between smart buildings and sustainability.* 

when combining smartness with sustainability, as illustrated in **Figure 1**, that is what some prefer to call Echo-Tech buildings. Hagan explains them as buildings that pursue a different relationship with their environment throughout technology [1]. So sustainable design supported with smart technologies, with their increasing levels of sophistication, starts a new era for building's performance. It achieves lowcarbon footprint and all the requirements of sustainability [7]. Due to this intangible relation between sustainability and smartness, some people began perceiving that minimizing the site's carbon footprint as the fourth aim of smart buildings [2].

#### **3.4 Types, approaches, and technology**

It is now fair to say that over time, two main types of smart buildings were developed. The research will refer to them as intelligent smart buildings and sustainable smart buildings (echo-tech buildings). The first type aims only to achieve technology, while the second type sustains both technology and environmentally conscious design. Both will employ a wide range of technologies in order to improve the

#### *Smart Buildings in Relation to Human Behavior and Cultural Influences in Egypt DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836*

buildings' efficiency in various categories, while connecting them to users as well as to each other. This requires smart information and communication technology (ICT) systems, devices, and networks [11].

All buildings have four main phases: planning and design phase, construction phase, operation and maintenance phase, and finally the demolition phase. While sustainability succeeded in taking part in the four phases, smart buildings still have work to do. During the planning, design, and construction phases, there are three different approaches to conduct a smart building, and they are [2]:


 Developing a successful smart building requires the right integration of these three approaches not adopting only one of them. This combination will work with all regulations, creating an optimal efficient composition of systems, structure, services, and management [2]. This will help to make the design and construction phases more efficient, with fewer costs and no wastes. Furthermore, it can show its true value and smartness during the operation and maintenance phase.

 During the planning and design phase, BIM can be used, in addition to implementing the smart technologies that will function during the operation phase. They are related to various building functions, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) [11], electrical lighting, water fixtures, and fire control. More functions and services include vertical transport, security and access, voice and data communications, and finally TV and image communications. As aforementioned, all of these services will use various systems: BAS, BMS, and/or building energy management systems (BEMS), using integrated computerized and network systems [2]. However, BIM and BEMSs are still developing, offering new innovations that are impacting the building industry greatly every day [11]. Throughout using these systems and services, information is gathered aiding in the building operation [6]. And by using analytical software, it can aid in detecting and addressing various sources of energy waste and failures [10]. This information will further aid with improving occupant's experience and performance [6].

Smart technology is not only about systems but also includes materials. Some smart materials are available now and some are still in the testing phase. For example, the self-healing coatings are already in use, but only for water-based structures, while the smart concrete that can heal its own cracks, is still in the testing phases [5], that is beside the smart nanostructures, nanomaterial, chromic materials, etc. A smart building should sustain an integration of all smart technologies during all the building phases, involving all the available fields.

In 1980, the Arabic World Institute was established. At that time, the building facade was considered smart. It was designed to respond to changing environments. However, nowadays the facade system does not work, due to a technical failure in the mechanical system. So, constructing a smart building, that sustains technology which cannot be used or maintained, is not smart [3]. That is why, current smart technologies are working on monitoring the users, and the systems to analyze their behavior and detect the errors [12] over a period of time, from 3 to 5 years.

It can even give an advice to the operator about what to do. An example to that is the ecostruxure building system that includes the building advisor. It is the latest technology Schneider electric has. They consider it a BAS that is used for BMS. It controls the HVAC, power, security, lighting, and fire systems. It is currently applied in the Massa Hotel in the new capital in Egypt [13].

#### **3.5 Costs**

The demands for smart technologies continue to grow [11]. While developed countries can afford the costs of it, with sustainability or not, using the appropriate methods required to establish and maintain them [3]. Developing countries still might not be able to afford all the technologies due to their high costs. To some, the actual challenge will be in the operating cost of the building [10]. Since around 75% of a building's costs over its lifetime goes to maintenance and operation [14]. However, others believe that the real value of smart technology is during the operation phase. This is due to the actual decrease it creates in the total running costs. In addition to the other values, it gives by sustaining the resources. Values that can be more important, especially when over 40% of the world population is living under water stress, with an expected increase in water demands of more than 55%. Additionally, 40% of the world's energy is consumed by buildings. And 30% of this energy is wasted due to inefficient BMS [14]. A study conducted showed that a building decreased its energy use by 28%. The first 18% savings came from using no cost or low fixes, while the remaining 10% required capital investment and some upgrades. Another study illustrated that ongoing monitoring can additionally save from 10 to 25% due to the smart technologies adopted, which are currently more available and with easier implementation methods [10]. Also, implementing smart technology in the initial design phase will reduce the construction's costs [9].

Another challenge facing smart buildings is maximizing the profitability that each service will provide. However, the current increase in energy costs and water and their rarity in some regions are making smart technologies and sustainability more appreciable to clients, especially since its rapid evolvement allows it to decrease in costs [11]. Finally, although around 20% of buildings' managers and operators use only around 80% of the BMS' possible capabilities, [14] it is expected that by 2040, the world's economy will be 33% more energy efficient [15].

#### **4. Human behavior and cultural influences**

 Two of the most important factors that affect the buildings' success during all their life stages are humans and their culture. Humans are clients, developers, users, workers, specialists, etc. Every one of those has his effect on the building due to his different behavior. So is the local cultural, it can have a great influence on the building, since societies are different around the globe, although the needs for comfort and security might be the same [9]. So buildings are influenced by the beliefs and values of the society it sustains, and since smart buildings incorporate the latest technology [2], this requires a special handling, to achieve the targeted aims from the implemented systems and services. Thus understanding human's behavior, needs, and cultures are crucial in smart buildings to maintain his welfare, comfort, security, and high building efficiency. For example, buildings' designers assume that the users will use their designs in the same way it was meant for. That is not the usual case, so there is sometimes a decrease in the building performance [6], related to the changed behavior. Although users' behavior might be complex and hard to predict, it reveals errors and drawbacks in the BMS. Thus studying smart

*Smart Buildings in Relation to Human Behavior and Cultural Influences in Egypt DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836* 

 buildings' users' behavior helps with predicting, for example, energy consumption, thus developing successful strategies for energy-conscious behavior. Furthermore, it helps in developing more accurate scenarios to the buildings [16]. This is why that users' involvement must best define them.

This can be achieved by educating everyone especially users on smart buildings technologies efficient use and value [7]. Usability is the main challenge, especially in developing countries, when adopting these systems. Some systems overwhelm users with too many features in an unfamiliar user interface [10]. It is clear that human behavior can cause poor performance; however, there is no single set of circumstances that will be suitable for all users, due to cultural influences. Mainly users like [6]:


Finally, smart-conscious users can have a great effect on the overall building efficiency and all the vital systems, knowing that throughout motivation there can be behavioral change. This can help in creating a balance between automation and users of a building. Studies showed that conscious behavior can save around onethird of energy consumption [16].

#### **5. Egypt smart buildings**

#### **5.1 Aims and structure of study sample and interviews**

In order to analyze Egypt in 2018, as previously mentioned, the research conducted more than 40 interviews to acquire the needed information. The study sample involved experts, academics, building operator, architects, and electrical, mechanical and civil engineers. It also included participants from governmental organizations, industrial section, smart systems, and equipment providing companies, in addition to architecture, interior, construction, and landscape firms' mainly owners and managers working as contractors, consultants, and in maintenance. However, the research focused on architects, thus, around 40% of the study sample presented them.

In the beginning, the interviews were structured in the aim of assessing the best smart buildings in Egypt and the effect of human behavior and the cultural influences on them. However, after conducting some interviews, their output led to changing the nature of the interviews to sustain the unexpected preliminary results. Thus, the new aim of the interviews became understanding, from the sample point of view, if there are smart buildings in Egypt or not and the reason behind their answers. The majority, of the study sample in general and architects especially, illustrated that there are no smart buildings in Egypt for various reasons. Moreover, almost all the samples that stated yes, after reintroducing the meaning of smart buildings to them as presented by the research first part, changed their opinions. Some agreed that from this point of view, there are no smart buildings, while the others stated that they are very few smart buildings, but the level of their success varied between them; it ranged from 30 to 80% at the most. Finally, the interviews illustrated that there is a problem between the theories and their application in Egypt. This will be thoroughly discussed in the following part.

#### **5.2 Theory and application**

 By studying the Egyptian society and analyzing the concept of smart buildings in it, throughout the conducted interviews, it was clear that there was a gap between the theory and application on different scales. There were many misconceptions; the research believes it to be due to the lack of knowledge and real understanding. Firstly, the interviews showed that firms generally either used the BIM or the BAS and the BMS. There is no integration between all types as it should be. That meant that there is smart implementation during either the design and construction stages or during the operation stage [17].

 Secondly, while few participants believed that many firms work successfully with BIM, others believed that BIM is never implemented accurately in Egypt. According to BIM specialist Sherif Salah, although many firms declare that they work with BIM [18], they actually do not. They may think that using Revit software, or so, meant that they achieved the goal, forgetting that there are many stages, levels, steps, and requirements in order to state that this is a BIM Building. Even large firms with a special department for BIM, still do not do it correctly due to sometimes the local culture influence. He thinks that it might help when approving the Egyptian BIM code, which is still in the drafting phase. Furthermore, a local construction company supported that opinion throughout admitting that they don't use BIM correctly since they only apply around 30% of its capabilities. However, to them and with that percentage of achievement alone they reached great levels in efficiency, time-saving, preventing errors and clashes, minimizing wastes and simultaneously decreasing the costs during construction. The main drawbacks that are facing BIM in the eyes of specialists are mainly cultural. For example, when the project is governmental, the culture of completing stages before officials' visits is more dominating than working with the BIM schedule. Another reason illustrated by the sample is that some firms have a problem with leaving the control of the whole project to one person they might find hard to replace in case he left. Finally, many declared that the NEWGIZA project, a still an under construction project in Egypt, is one of the best projects that succeeded in using BIM efficiently. However, there were other trials before it such as the new Egyptian museum and Cairo festival city [17].

 Thirdly, the interviews showed that there is a gap between the image of a smart building in the mind of Egyptians and the reality to what smart actually is. This confusion is not only in the mind of simple users but also specialists. Some consider that to be smart or a BAS; buildings must sustain some technology coming from a science fiction movie. Also, in the high-standard residential sector, averagely only one client from every 30 clients require BAS for their homes, and only for luxury and showiness. Moreover, there is no understanding to the difference between automated and computerized and what their relationship with BMS is. So simply, a computerized system means using computers and needing an operator to work with it. The automated system is a system that can work automatically with different scenarios in case of errors without needing an operator. As for the BMS, this is the system used to manage the building as a whole and they can be computerized or automated.

 Finally, the most shocking realization of them all was that the majority of the participants, specialists included, believed that there are no smart buildings in Egypt. As previously mentioned, whenever there is a yes it was either retracted or accompanied with there are very few trials and the levels of their success varied from 30 to 50 to 80% at the maximum. Some justified their answer, for having smart buildings, by having LEED-certified buildings, which according to them are smart buildings. Others considered that working with solar cells for conserving energy is enough to be smart, in addition to the reasons of using some smart

#### *Smart Buildings in Relation to Human Behavior and Cultural Influences in Egypt DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836*

 equipment or using BIM or BAS. By, analyzing all of these reasons, they were not enough to say these buildings are fully smart. Being LEED-certified might make the buildings smart but there is no must in it; that will be further discussed later on.

 While the reasons behind the belief of the absence of smart buildings in Egypt also vary; they were more realistic. Participants who said no, supported their answers throughout many current drawbacks working toward the prevention of creating real smart buildings and the spread of smart technologies. In summary, to them, there is lack of suitable infrastructure and binding building codes, in addition to the high costs and absence of the required efficient experience on various scales from workers and up till the experts, in some and not all opinions. For example, establishing solar cells just to provide the stairs lighting, lifts, and motors electricity, for a six-floor-building, will cost around 100,000 L.E. and need a space of around 50 m2 . As for home automation, a 100 m2 flat will need an overhead of about 100,000 L.E. for the smart technology implementation and devices required. It will include cameras, alarms, gates, light, sound, water, shutters. and AC [13].

The other prevailing reason, from the study sample point of view, was the current Egyptian culture for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the local society is not aware of the value or importance of creating such architecture in addition to it not being in his priorities or expectations. Actually, they believe that to create smart buildings high costs is required as previously mentioned. Costs that in their eyes can be used to sustain their more urgent demands, as a developing country. Moreover, to the public, these buildings require special users with special behavior. Thus, the normal Egyptian will find it overwhelming to use, without special training and education, which will simultaneously lead to a high level of maintenance. The study participants expressed it to be a huge waste of much-needed money in the eyes of the local society at the expense of their more urgent demands.

#### **5.3 Toward a smarter Egypt**

 This depressing realization, that Egypt does not have smart buildings was given the hope of change by two things. The opinion of a few participants that today the government is going toward a smarter country with a soon to be changed in culture. That opinion was supported after visiting ICT2018. This intelligent cities exhibition sustained many companies in various fields, representing the latest technologies that are available currently in Egypt. Some of them are already implemented in various projects in Egypt; some will be implemented in Egypt's new administrative Capital and the other 13 cities that are being built now in Egypt. According to the Ministry of Housing, all these cities have smart infrastructure; communication, electricity, clean energy as in solar cells.

Some technologies presented by ICT2018 are aimed to be used in the near future. Examples of smart technologies that were available at the exhibition are BMS, BAS, security systems, fire systems, home automation systems, solar energy, power systems, etc. So, not only smart technologies found were about energy and water conservation, but also about human's security, level of luxury, and well-being [13]. For example, the latest invention in fire protection is using water mist as the smartest way for firefighting. It has almost no running costs and with no damaging effect on the equipment. It is already used in El-Sida Zinab station library. Other technologies were related to smart meters for electricity, gas, and water, also IPTV/ OTT, Home Automation, and smart city management. As aforementioned, most of these technologies aim to take place in Cairo new administrative Capital and NEWGIZA project. This exhibition was a great effort from the government toward implementing more smart technologies and spreading the needed awareness about them in the local community [13].

#### **5.4 LEED-certified buildings**

It is now fair to say that the best option for finding, to some extent, smart public buildings in Egypt will be among the buildings created in the aim of achieving the LEED certification. LEED is a certification that states that this building succeeded in achieving its sustainability goals and the level of its success. It is an assessment tool developed by the USGBC [16] and helps in determining sustainable buildings. In spite of its criticism that it is a tick-the-box exercise that detracts architects from creating a real sustainable building, in their aim to gain points. Furthermore, it overlooks humans that are the core of sustainable communities [9]. LEED has four types of certification: Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Certified [19]. Due to the spreading awareness of sustainability in Egypt, in the last five years, certified buildings expanded. Currently, according to GBIG organization, there are now 17 LEED-certified projects [20] as illustrated in **Table 2**. Thus, smart buildings trials found in Egypt are mainly sustainable smart buildings (echo-tech) type.


#### **Table 2.**

*LEED-certified projects in Egypt [21].* 

*Smart Buildings in Relation to Human Behavior and Cultural Influences in Egypt DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836* 

### **6. Case studies**

 As previously mentioned, multiple gaps were created in the process of applying smart buildings in Egypt. Actually, it was discovered that due to many cultural reasons, there are no real integrated smart buildings. Thus, the selected case studies will focus on the buildings that implemented smart technology during the operation stage. Since this is the most obvious phase to the users and where human influences are at their maximum.

#### **6.1 Case study (1)**

The first project, shown in **Figures 2** and **3**, is Credit Agricole, an office building for a bank and an example for public buildings. A brified info card for the building is illustrated in **Table 3**.

#### **Figure 2.**

*To the left, an overall view to the bank and to the right, an exterior view to the main entrance [22].* 

**Figure 3.**  *The reception hall interior [22].* 


#### **Table 3.**  *Case study (1) info card [21].*

 It was selected because it is considered from the top 6% projects in this version of the LEED-assessment system [21]. It was also selected because it is new but with two years of operation. It was considered a smart building mainly due to the systems and services it provides for its BMS.

According to the head of facility management and projects control of the building, architect Said Hassan, this building succeeded in achieving its goals during its first six months of operation. To achieve that, it first required special training to the operators on the new systems and services involved. It uses BMS, with an integration of both computerized and automated systems. It includes the HVAC, security, fire control, lighting, and water systems. Some systems are standalone systems, some needs the operators to follow-up and work on the errors. Other systems are programmed to take actions in certain scenarios like in the case of a shutdown [23].

 This building was given the platinum certification since it succeeded in improving the building performance rating by 48%, while 35% of its power was green. It also used 20% recycled content materials, and another 20% regional materials, in addition to 50% are FSC-certified wood products. As for the indoor environment, 90% of the used spaces have quality views. Finally, in water conservation, there was a reduction in potable landscape water by 50% and indoor water use by 40% [21]. Both human behavior and culture influences have their roles in affecting the smart technologies of the building, however, they were minor and were dealt with, within the first 6 months in operation. That is because there was no much interaction between the users and the implemented smart systems, only the trained operators were subjected to it. For example, users' curiosity led to some situations and errors with the emergency systems. Another problem was cultural due to the need for ablution before praying. This led to misuse of the infrared water taps, so replacing them near the praying area was a must [23].

#### **6.2 Case study (2)**

The second project, shown in **Figure 4**, was selected although it is still under construction because it represents another type of building, the smart residential building type. A briefed info card for the building is illustrated in **Table 4**. The smartness here usually comes from using the home automation systems. In this building sector, the need to create a smart home comes firstly from the client, which is rare. Most do not want the initial higher costs. Approximately, if a normal villa finishing costs around 1,000,000 L.E., it will need additional of around 300,000 L.E. for adding smart technologies. So it could be said that there is around 30% increase in the finishing costs. Thus, most clients do not go for it [18].

Owners only go for smart technology when they are really conscious about the energy and water conservation, it will lead to and thus the decrease in the operating costs. Or they use it seeking luxury, welfare, security, and a show to a certain living

**Figure 4.**  *View of the entrance and stairs inside the villa [18].* 

*Smart Buildings in Relation to Human Behavior and Cultural Influences in Egypt DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836* 


**Table 4.** 

*Case study (2) info card [18].* 

standard. Both are rare in the current culture and done on individual bases, so no valuable influences were observed in the operation stage.

#### **7. Conclusion**

Smart buildings are the trend of this era. They have two main types: sustainable and intelligent. The perfect combination is being a smart building and also sustainable. It sustains many technologies and is affected greatly by human behavior and cultural influences. Designing a smart building require planning and understanding of its approaches and phases. Its importance comes from their ability to reconcile human control with the automated systems, to achieve human welfare, comfort, and security.

 Egypt was the research case study. While the starting aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of both human behavior and cultural effects on the successful smart buildings in Egypt. It discovered that the local culture actually stopped the development of real smart buildings from the start. The society has different needs and expectations and thus must first gradually develop its culture and perceptions with better education to the meaning and requirements of smart buildings, in addition, to the smart technology available in Egypt for use.

By conducting many interviews and by using some case studies, it was demonstrated that smart buildings were created mainly to achieve the LEED, or conserve energy, water, and create a comfortable and safe interior environment. Or it is used as a symbol to a certain social standard, providing luxury, safety, and wellbeing. Current human behavior and cultural influences on the smart buildings during operation were illustrated many times, although they were minor and did not lead to the buildings' failure. The main drawbacks that are facing smart technology in Egypt beside culture are costs, finding the qualified experience, and infrastructure.

Finally, as one of the study sample participants stated, there are many theoretical pieces of researches on smart buildings, however with no real successful practical application to them in Egypt. Although ICT2018 exhibition and the new 13 cities were great steps toward implementing smart technologies, but still, there is much expected to be conducted to establish smart buildings as it needs to be in Egypt.

*ISBS 2019 - 4th International Sustainable Buildings Symposium* 

#### **Author details**

Reham M.M. Mohie El-Din Department of Architectural Engineering and Building Technology, Modern Academy for Engineering and Technology, Cairo, Egypt

\*Address all correspondence to: eng\_rehammostafa@yahoo.com

© 2019 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

*Smart Buildings in Relation to Human Behavior and Cultural Influences in Egypt DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836* 

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#### **Chapter 6**
