Microsoft has implemented some of its most cutting-edge tech systems into the ReStart4Smart project, including electronic doors that open using cameras and sensors equipped with facial-recognition technology, a virtual assistant and other BOT services to manage the home and make it more intuitive (the name is an abbreviation of robot), as well as holographic visors and mixed-reality systems to optimise the planning, management and maintenance of the space.
The team from La Sapienza University that worked on the project is made up of over 50 of the best students and postgraduates from the faculties of Architecture, Civil and Industrial Engineering, Political Sciences, Sociology and Communication, with coordination provided by teachers from the various disciplines.
The 4 in the name ReStart4Smart refers to the four cornerstones of the project. Smart Shape is linked to the shape and orientation of the building, with the aim being to optimise brightness and natural ventilation, promote the use of renewable energy and reduce energy consumption. Smart Envelope looks at technical and construction-related matters, factors inherent both to the characteristics of the structure and thermohygrometic considerations. Smart Systems is all about technology, focusing on the use of high-efficiency systems, the recovery and treatment of water, the integration of renewable energy sources and the use of advanced building automation and Internet of Things (IoT) systems in order to reduce environmental impact to a minimum and maximise levels of internal comfort. Finally, Smart People concentrates on social and cultural issues, with home automation systems used to directly engage with users, who can thus optimise their energy consumption.
The entirely wooden house designed by the team from La Sapienza will be built and tested in Pomezia, near Rome, from December. It will then be transported to the competition venue in Dubai, where between 14 and 28 November 2018 the public will be able to visit it in its fully furnished form. It will also be judged by an international panel. Between January and mid-July 2018, the Solar House prototype by La Sapienza will be open to the public, with the objective to turn it into a permanent education and training workshop.
Thirty leading companies from the sector are actively collaborating with the initiative.
Construction system: Canducci1940, Soltech, X-LAM Dolomiti;
Building envelope: AMA Composites, Caparol, Tekla;
3D printing: WASProject;
Interiors: Catalano, Luxury Living Group, Flessya, Forme d’Acqua, Margaritelli, Verde Profilo;
Home appliances: Technogym, Whirlpool;
Systems: Climaveneta, Enel, Philips Lighting, Viega, Redi, Schneider Electric;
Renewable energy: Eni;
Building Automation: Atos, Ilevia, Vimar, Softjam;
Cloud computing, IoT and Mixed Reality: Microsoft;
Building Information Modelling: BIMon, Graphisoft, TeamSystem, Spea Engineering;
Monitoring: ENEA;
Logistics: Cefme-CTP, Kuehne+Nagel;
Communication: Linfa, DEI Tipografia del Genio Civile, Nastro Azzurro.
