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Less Resilient: Vulnerabilities of Smart Technology

  • 1.  Less Resilient: Vulnerabilities of Smart Technology

    Posted 10-07-2024 04:40 PM

    Does Smart Technology Make Us Less Resilient? 

     "We're often easily distracted by the idea of something new and flashy, but then we learn it's quite hard to deliver on those promises, and while we're chasing something flashy, the problems become more entrenched and it becomes harder to deal with them." (Shoshanna Saxe, Civil Engineer University of Toronto)

    The oops moments of smart technology 

    • A neighbor has a NEST thermostat installed for his home with the result that his heat pump is working at all times all year long while mine remains often comfortably shut off. Why: In spring or fall when it is crisp in the morning the smart device heats his home while have the windows open to cool the house down.
      Google Nest learning thermostat

      Then, when it heats up at noon,his machine cools his house while I have close the windows and enjoy the retained coo air. My system is in the off position so it can't run at all. By tolerating a wider range of indoor temps and using old style "dumb" methods of moderating the indoor temps I saved a lot of energy plus honed a method that also works in a power outage. This may not work for everyone, the point is, though, that either the smart device or the owner isn't smart enough to achieve the desired outcome. The NEST could probably be programmed differently, but which user actually can optimize the program?
    • The condo building in which I have an apartment has all common area doors controlled by the smart Butterfly access system that allows to open them with a smart phone app, each lock with a different slider or operate the front door remotely. When downtown experienced at conduit fire over a mile away the building lost its cable access, the Internet and with it all its smartness. The phone access and remote building interface didn't work for days. (There is a backup PIN pad to get through the front door). 
      No charging without internet
    • Recently I wanted to charge my EV in an underground parking garage. For some reason the charging stations had lost their internet connection and couldn't communicate with my phone, regardless

    Read the entire discussion about how to hedge against the risks of smart technology 



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    [Klaus] Philipsen FAIA
    Archplan Inc. Philipsen Architects
    Baltimore MD
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  • 2.  RE: Less Resilient: Vulnerabilities of Smart Technology

    Posted 10-14-2024 10:23 AM

    Claus, your respected voice is needed as an antidote to the hypnotized fixation too many in the design community have for the latest

    app or gadget. 

    While the fortunate few design huge buildings where there will be a maintenance staff 24 - 7 to override the latest app or gadget, many of us do smaller buildings that will not have a practical, human presence around, so we must use common sense in how many chips separate the occupants from the HVAC.

    FIRST, super insulate building shells to reduce the need for large heating and cooling equipments. With a higher/lower mean radiant temperature on the inner surface of outside walls, we will feel more comfortable even with a lower/higher inside air temperature. Do we really need 80 degree winter inside temperatures ? Do we really need 70 degree summer inside temperatures ?

    SECOND,  Consider the sun's and wind's hurtful affects, such as western glazing without shading, or big glazing facing cold prevailing winter winds.  Meanwhile, take advantage of mother nature for shaded, daylit spaces and operable windows admitting breezes.

    Is it such an imposition that we cannot fiddle with home indoor air temperatures while we are half a planet away ? What about a thermostat with a  timer ?

    It's bad enough when some architects are infatuated by the latest A-I wrinkle, but what about when zealous legislators write them into law ?

    Then there is the new coolant for air conditioning/heat pump heating, that will burn (!)

    That's easy, say the building codes, "just run the coolant lines in a rated chase!"

    Talk to an HVAC installer or repairer. They will tell you that most of the coolant leaks are in the A-Coil, the better to spread coolant into living space.

    Put 200 of those coils into a five-story, frame apartment block, have some exigency empty the fire sprinkler pipes, and watch the glow.

    At some point, the AIA must ask inconvenient questions about such matters.

    John F. Corkill, Jr., AIA



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    John F. Corkill, Jr., AIA
    Principal
    Corkill Cush Reeves P A
    Bowie, MD 20720
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