Smart Technology Integration in Industrial Architecture: Developing Smart Factory Buildings in Karachi

Abstract

This study investigates the planning and design of a factory building and users’ level of understanding regarding smart buildings and their integration in the design of a factory, aiming to explore design guidelines for smart and energy-efficient industrial buildings in Karachi. The research employs mixed-method approaches, including quantitative and simulation, to analyze energy load in traditional factories vs smart factories, and its impact on users’ comfort. Data were collected from a questionnaire survey and spatial analysis of the existing factory building, and through a random sampling process, 100 respondents were chosen for the study, including 2 factory owners, 20 architects, and 68 workers. Results were analyzed using Building Information Modeling (BIM) for calculating the energy consumption of a factory building, and descriptive analysis was performed for quantitative data. The findings reveal that integration of smart technologies into industrial buildings enhances energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, indicating that a smart building minimizes cooling energy load, with peak cooling load decreasing from approximately 790 kW in a non-insulated building to 600 kW in the proposed design, ensuring thermal comfort and a healthy indoor environment for the users. Despite this, inadequate technological infrastructure in Karachi hinders effective implementation. The paper concludes by presenting strategies to improve factory building energy efficiency, offering insights into sustainable and smart industrial architecture.