Greeted by warm lighting and a cosy open fire, you feel at home as soon as you step inside the Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle. The atmosphere is one of soothing relaxation. The digital display showing the arrival and departure flight times resembles a portal to another world.
Martin Müller, Technical Manager for the hotel, looks up at the LED lights in the ceiling with pride: “The lighting concept is designed to make our guests feel comfortable and welcome from the moment they arrive.” He adds, No matter how important the technology is to a modern building, it should be as unobtrusive as possible.” In other words, building automation systems work best if they go completely unnoticed, while nevertheless enhancing the building’s amenities, energy efficiency and functionality.
Setting new standards of sustainability
When it comes to the hotel’s technology, only the very best is considered good enough, and the same goes for the rest of its service. This ensures reliable operation, which is absolutely crucial. Michael Sturzenegger, Project Lead at Sigren Engineering AG, a BKW Building Solutions company, adds, “The system means that the staff have a constant overview of all the functions within the hotel. If something isn’t working as it should, they can intervene quickly and efficiently.” Any faults can be traced immediately. In the past, staff would have had to pore over construction plans and painstakingly track down the source of the fault, but now the sources of any issues can be identified quickly using a digital twin (SIGEBA) and controlled and rectified on a tablet via the site-wide control system. The seamless integration of all technical room automation systems into a central building management system ensures that processes are as efficient and low on resources as possible. This mode of operation is necessary to meet the LEED standard, the most widespread and exacting international standard for environmentally responsible and sustainable conduct in the construction and property sectors.
Besides user-friendliness, the building automation system is geared towards optimising energy efficiency and sustainability. Among other things, this includes toilet flushing systems that use rainwater. Temperature is regulated by an ingenious 3D shading system (SIBESCHA): the blinds lower automatically based on information from a weather station on the roof, while also taking account of the shadows cast by neighbouring buildings. Sturzenegger says, “Of course, customer wishes are constantly being incorporated as we fine-tune the systems.” For instance, the automatic sun blinds in the breakfast area have been switched off because most guests like to soak up some sun first thing in the morning.
An ultra-modern setting for an array of events
The ultimate showpiece of the Circle Convention Centre is the Convention Hall, which – depending on seating arrangements – can offer space for up to 1,500 and can be divided into three separate sections if required. The sophisticated lighting design really comes into its own here. Lighting is used to superb effect in the hotel rooms, too. Sensors tell the system whether someone is in the room or not. If the room is empty, the air conditioning is turned down and the lights switched off. The various functions are activated when someone enters the room. In all of this, the guest always has the final say and can override the technology if they prefer. The guest’s wishes remain the top priority throughout the hotel.
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