The Smart Home is a very entertained interest in the technology industry; nowadays it comes equipped with devices capable to increase comfort, protect occupants, and save on utility bills. Houses already have Nest – the smart thermostat, Goji – the smart lock, Tado Cooling – the air conditioning/ thermostat smart device, and Luna – the smart mattress cover. Using the smartphone as the device to turn on lights, lock doors, check humidity levels, and monitor energy use inside the home, requires a large data set, and systems must be programmed individually and connected to the controlling transmitter. Terralux, a LED lighting company, recently launched a new product named Ledsense, which is a cloud based lighting system with brain power. Looking at the evolution of LEDs, not too long ago, they were not only ineffective, but also very expensive; those were the shining times of the Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). Since then things evolved and nowadays LEDs show increased improvement in efficacy, today demonstrating some of the highest light outputs – measured in lumens per watt – and at the same time, the economics of LEDs are compatible with other light sources. Slowly, but surely, LEDs are replacing CFLs, with more and more organizations looking to save money and deliver a lighting alternative that is friendly with the environment. The Ledsense platform integrates the LED light unit with sensor communication and control technology; it acts like an Internet of Things on LED lights. These units are quite amazing: they include sensors that can determine building temperature, sense motion from a person in the vicinity, and even sense odors and potentially toxic chemicals in the air. All this data is collected and then communicated back to the building owner, through the cloud. “A light is no...

Will homes of the future have super powers sourced from nature? The concept of biophilia has intrigued architects since the 1970. Simply put, biophilic design is a building methodology that integrates natural elements into the building process, including construction materials, ventilation methods, lighting techniques, and more. The current popularity of green building practices has pulled the concept from the shadows, pushing it back into the limelight for further examination and use. Our bodies respond on a cellular level to natural stimuli.  In “Courting Nature in Design,” B.J. Novitski explains that humans “haven’t evolved away from a psychological dependence on the natural world, an affinity known as ‘biophilia.’” When architecture limits human access to the natural environment, our bodies suffer. Conversely, earth-conscious construction and healthy interiors promote physical and mental wellbeing in a manner that has become increasing quantifiable. Benefits of Biophilic Design What if multifamily firms could promote housing that noticeably improved residents’ health? Research into biophilia largely focuses on the mental and physical health benefits, though new research shows that there are social advantages as well. National Renewable Energy Laboratory researched the benefits of natural light  on building occupants. Findings include improved disposition, improved morale, and reduced levels of fatigue. Natural light exposure is also linked to reduced stress and anxiety levels. Exposure to plant life holds health benefits as well. Marjolein Elings of the Wageningen University and Research Centre has published findings in Plant Research International that document health improvements in people with prolonged exposure to living plants. Health benefits included lower blood pressure, increased productivity in the workplace, reduced anxiety levels, and heightened alertness. Health benefits are more noticeable when people work with the plants, actively caring for and interacting with them. In addition to nature’s benefits on the body, exposure...