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Words: Varun Godinho
The study was jointly conducted by Charles Darwin University (CDU), the University of Tehran and Australian Catholic University. They reviewed how AI is being used in smart buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency and management.
Buildings reportedly produce more than two-thirds of global carbon emissions and energy consumption, but managing and saving energy in buildings remains an uphill task, and a costly one at that.
Co-author and CDU adjunct Associate Professor Niusha Shafiabady said the study found AI could be valuable in improving building ventilation and thermal comfort.
Shafiabady noted that at present, most buildings use static Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, which can impact structure sustainability and the health of occupants.
“Overheated or poorly ventilated spaces not only reduce occupant comfort but also increase the likelihood of airborne disease spread,” Shafiabady said. “Static HVAC designs fall short under fluctuating climate conditions. The study supports the use of adaptive thermal control systems that respond to occupancy, external climate, and internal heat gains in real time.
“This opens the door for AI-driven optimisation, where machine learning models can predict and adjust thermal conditions to balance comfort, energy efficiency and health outcomes.”
The study also proposes a framework that allows building designers and facility managers to use AI to simulate thermal scenarios and evaluate their impact on airborne transmission risk.
“It’s modular, scalable and adaptable to different building types, from classrooms to hospital wards,” Shafiabady added. “This research bridges engineering and epidemiology, offering practical guidance for architects, facility managers and policymakers seeking to future-proof buildings against health threats.
“Importantly, it provides a quantitative basis for decision-making, enabling stakeholders to prioritise interventions that enhance both thermal comfort and infection control.”
Future potential research includes integrating this framework with real-time sensor data and AI algorithms and using this research to help inform building regulatory standards.
The findings come as the Green Building Council of Australia partnered with the Building Research Establishment (BRE), mindful MATERIALS, the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and the US Green Building Council (USGBC) to harmonise global sustainability standards in the built environment.
This article firs appeared in FM
