Dubai Opera is one of the world’s smartest and most energy efficient performance spaces, thanks to an almost invisible – but extremely powerful – building management platform from Siemens. The dhow-shaped building is a multi-format performing arts theatre that accommodates up to 2,000 spectators.
The day-to-day operations of the iconic building are monitored and controlled by Siemens’ most advanced building management platform, Desigo CC, and a Desigo SCADA Management System. The intelligent system generates significant resource savings by integrating the management of energy, air conditioning, ventilation and water consumption into a fully customised, 3D graphical interface.
Desigo CC also integrates 14 additional subsystems including access control, CCTV, lighting control, elevators and escalators, the emergency central battery system and an uninterrupted power supply, giving operators total control over Dubai Opera’s performance. Global installations of Desigo CC have enabled reductions in operating costs of up to 20 per cent, and when combined with other Siemens technologies, such as Demand Flow for District Cooling, energy savings can reach up to 40 per cent.
“Dubai Opera is an important architectural landmark, and embracing the most modern digital technology for building management is a key part of Dubai’s drive to becoming a truly smart city,” said Koen Bogers, Senior Executive Vice President, Building Technologies Division, Siemens Middle East.
“The design of the building, the number of integrated systems and its use as a performance space presented some unique challenges for our team and technology, demanding a complex and highly customised solution. I am extremely proud to see our latest digitalisation technology hard at work in one of the region’s most exciting new buildings.”
An innovative feature of Dubai Opera is the ability to switch between three modes; from a theatre to a concert hall and to a ‘flat-floor’ mode, which automatically folds away seating to allow the space to be used as a banquet or events hall. The Siemens technology is able to automatically switch the cooling logic of the air conditioning system between these modes for optimum guest comfort and energy efficiency.
“In a performance space like Dubai Opera, it’s especially important that the building’s technology functions discreetly in the background, without compromising the audience experience or the integrity of the design,” said Bogers. “It’s important to acknowledge the individual needs of a structure – whether it’s a performance space, an office, a hotel or a hospital – in order to build a smart solution which streamlines operating costs, increases security and lowers environmental impact.”
Click below to share this article
