The world’s first 3D-printed office building has been inaugurated in Dubai, using smart technology to integrate the building management systems, access control and surveillance into a central building management platform. The 250-square-metre office was constructed using a 3D printer measuring 20 feet high, 120 feet long and 40 feet wide, and built on the site of Emirates Towers in Dubai. “This is a globally significant project – the first of its kind – and our contribution is the very latest in intelligent building automation and control,” said Dietmar Siersdorfer, chief executive officer at the Siemens Middle East. “Increasingly intelligent and digitalised infrastructure is paving the way for a more sustainable future in the UAE, and we are proud to be supporting Dubai’s smart-city strategy, and the country’s national vision 2021, by showcasing our technology in this landmark project,” he said. Integrating key components of the ‘Office of the Future’ is a unique building management platform from Siemens, Desigo CC, enabling the control and optimisation of the building’s technical infrastructure, surveillance, air conditioning, access control and safety technology from a single location. A customised platform displays the status of these different systems in real time, enabling operators to accurately monitor and control the building’s performance. The ‘Office of the Future’ concept also uses a Siemens video surveillance system with high-definition cameras and web-enabled access via apps and web clients, and an access control system based on biometrics and smart cards. Siemens has also supplied smart fire protection with technology for detection, alarm signaling and control, using multi-criteria detectors that can adapt to changing environments, analyze signals for false alarms and protect against hazards such as the presence of carbon monoxide. The system can also be analysed, evaluated and diagnosed remotely for more efficient maintenance. “Integrating key functions with an intelligent building management system has clear safety, cost and efficiency benefits, and at the moment only Siemens is able to combine the management of all building disciplines in one integration platform,” said Koen Bogers, senior executive vice president at the Siemens Middle East. “Desigo CC gives the building operators a precise overview of their assets, allowing them to be managed more efficiently and transparently while enabling flexible usage and energy conservation.” The building management platform is also able to accommodate a wider range of building systems including heating, ventilation and air conditioning, power, lighting and shading, and components can be added when requirements change.