David Nicholl, ABB’s Executive Vice President for Electrification in Northern Europe, shared ABB’s vision for smart cities at the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) headquarters in London on 31st January 2019. The event brought together over 150 top architects and engineering consultants with the objective to review past urban development and discuss the future 50 years of smart buildings and cities.
David Nicholl kicked off the debate by explaining the role of electrical power, the potential for automation technologies and the need for energy efficiency to ensure sustainable urban growth.
Other panelists included Patrik Schumacher, Principal at Zaha Hadid Architects, Carolyn Dwyer, Director of the Built Environment at the City of London Corporation and Simon Giles, UK Managing Director for engineering consultancy Tyréns.
While the speakers’ perspectives and priorities varied, they all shared a vision of the future that uses the data from embedded sensors and smart building technologies to inform decisions on the design of buildings, workplaces and cities. The underlying themes included the important of future technology in supporting people, developing inspirational workspaces and energy efficient buildings, plus the importance of flexible electrical infrastructure.
During the lively Q&A and networking sessions, panelists debated topics such as collaboration, digital skills and data management, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and the potential for computing power to inform design. In addition, audience members raised hot topics including cybersecurity, fire safety and resilience.
David Nicholl said: “Today’s smart building technologies are mind blowing but they’re just the beginning. We will need electrical installations with elasticity so that infrastructure can grow with demand, provide customers with choice, enable energy management and digital solutions that lead to transparency and better performance.
The event was organised by Viviana Muscettola, Associate Director at Zaha Hadid Architects with the support of CTBUH, and by Katrin Förster, International Key Account Manager for Architects at ABB.
Katrin Förster introduced proceedings saying: “With roughly 150,000 colleagues based in more than 100 countries around the globe, ABB is literally present just about everywhere that a new smart city or a new smart building is rising. And we will – stay!”
David concluded: “ABB believes in the cities of tomorrow where everyone everywhere has access to a better life. Innovation and pioneering techology will drive progress to a better world of tomorrow.”
