chaPter 12 the Broader context
512
Significant acoustic improvements are expected in spaces dominated by electroacoustic devices.
Advances are also expected in approaches that aid in task performance in workplaces or homes. Many buildings are by now seeming
extensions of sophisticated “information and display systems” that
respond to the needs of various commerce and manufacturing
activities. This trend will surely continue. In home environments,
analogous information and display systems are expected for a range
of lifeenhancing activities, including entertainment. There is great
interest in incorporating sophisticated human health monitoring
and aid systems into housing and other buildings to meet a number
of objectives, including general recovery from medical operations,
aiding individuals in rehabilitation programs, and aiding the elderly
to healthily “age in place,” as many so desire. Advances in sensory
technologies, including biosensors for identifying and communicating warnings of chemical or other bioterrorism threats, are also
expected to benefit the building industry.
As we’ve seen, significant improvements are expected in enabling
electronic and electromechanical control systems and related
sensory technologies. These same technologies are also enabling
systems in a larger thrust toward “intelligent buildings” (Section
9.8). Though this concept has been around for quite some time
and particularly flowered during recent interests in smart material
applications, it is experiencing renewed interest via nanotechnologies, with their possibilities of both easy embedment and extensive
distribution. Intelligent building technologies are not only about
improved control systems, advanced sensory technologies, or interfaces, however; they also involve a much more complex interaction
among technologies, responsive materials, and human use needs
that is guided by cognition goals.
systems
Environments of the type described are ultimately made using
many products made for use in the construction industry or by
actual onsite construction. The industry that produces buildings,
bridges, and other works is enormous and highly fragmented.
Buildings utilize a surprisingly diverse array of products. A host of
independent producers and suppliers provide these many products
that find their way into buildings—far more so than is common
with other industries. There are two simple parallel ways of conceptualizing product developments within this confusing context;
512
Significant acoustic improvements are expected in spaces dominated by electroacoustic devices.
Advances are also expected in approaches that aid in task performance in workplaces or homes. Many buildings are by now seeming
extensions of sophisticated “information and display systems” that
respond to the needs of various commerce and manufacturing
activities. This trend will surely continue. In home environments,
analogous information and display systems are expected for a range
of lifeenhancing activities, including entertainment. There is great
interest in incorporating sophisticated human health monitoring
and aid systems into housing and other buildings to meet a number
of objectives, including general recovery from medical operations,
aiding individuals in rehabilitation programs, and aiding the elderly
to healthily “age in place,” as many so desire. Advances in sensory
technologies, including biosensors for identifying and communicating warnings of chemical or other bioterrorism threats, are also
expected to benefit the building industry.
As we’ve seen, significant improvements are expected in enabling
electronic and electromechanical control systems and related
sensory technologies. These same technologies are also enabling
systems in a larger thrust toward “intelligent buildings” (Section
9.8). Though this concept has been around for quite some time
and particularly flowered during recent interests in smart material
applications, it is experiencing renewed interest via nanotechnologies, with their possibilities of both easy embedment and extensive
distribution. Intelligent building technologies are not only about
improved control systems, advanced sensory technologies, or interfaces, however; they also involve a much more complex interaction
among technologies, responsive materials, and human use needs
that is guided by cognition goals.
systems
Environments of the type described are ultimately made using
many products made for use in the construction industry or by
actual onsite construction. The industry that produces buildings,
bridges, and other works is enormous and highly fragmented.
Buildings utilize a surprisingly diverse array of products. A host of
independent producers and suppliers provide these many products
that find their way into buildings—far more so than is common
with other industries. There are two simple parallel ways of conceptualizing product developments within this confusing context;