THE new head office of the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) in Riyadh has become the first governmental property in the Saudi Arabia that features fully-integrated smart technology, thanks to the products and services of Al Salem Johnson Controls (ASJC).

The company has integrated all systems to a single platform, allowing users to benefit from its services, simultaneously creating a comfortable work environment, while reducing energy consumption. ASJC is the Saudi Arabian arm of Johnson Controls, a global leader in delivering products, services and solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings.

The MoHE building was also recently certified by Smart Buildings Institute, a nonprofit organisation aimed at encouraging smart building technology.

ASJC managing director Basil Abdulaziz says: “We were one of the lead contractors that helped achieve this project while showcasing innovative products and high-level services. This project represents a new concept to elevate services in which technology can positively affect different aspects of human life, while increasing productivity.”

The Johnson Controls’ central control system at the MoHE headquarters interlinks air-conditioning and ventilation units, building management systems, sustainability manager systems, and middle wave systems, along with an internal and external monitoring system supported by CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras and access controls.

Integrating these systems into a single platform will allow the building operators and occupants to have better control and accurate real-time information on how the building and all subsystems are functioning, therefore, enabling a smart environment that provides the best possible secure, comfortable and sustainable outcome.

Furthermore, the building has been equipped with advanced applications from Johnson Controls including JCI EnNet Middleware open vendor integration platform that seamlessly integrates the IP telephones, lighting controls, fire alarm system, computerised maintenance management system, elevator controls, digital signage and energy profile tracking sustainability manager applications.

“The engineering and deployment by JCI has delivered a unique project where all systems are integrated into a single platform, along with Metasys building automation system, P2000 access control system and our DVN video management systems. It also allows the system to obtain information via the web to use in daily activities such as prayer times, which is broadcast through the central systems,” Abdulaziz says.

He continues: “The systems provided by Al Salem Johnson Controls have successfully reduced electricity consumption from lighting and central air-conditioning system through control units that work on the basis of need.

This sheds light on the importance of smart buildings and innovative technologies, which should be adopted by all real estate developers as they are the future for interconnectivity among buildings, both internally and externally.”

Johnson Controls is a diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. The company’s 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimise energy and operational efficiencies of buildings.

The firm has delivered products, services and solutions that increase energy efficiency and lower operating costs in buildings for more than one million customers.

“We have been involved in more than 500 renewable energy projects including solar, wind and geothermal technologies. Our solutions have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 13.6 million tonnes and generated savings of $7.5 billion since 2000,” says a spokesman for Johnson Controls.