UTC opens buildings technology centre

USA: Carrier’s air conditioning and refrigeration technologies are sharing centre stage at the new UTC Center for Intelligent Buildings in Florida, opened today.

The new 224,000ft² building in Palm Beach Gardens is described as a state-of-the-art innovation and technology experience centre, meeting the highest standards for green design and operation. UTC is seeking LEED Platinum certification for the facility, which boasts a number of efficient and environmentally responsible technologies that reduce energy and the consumption of water and carbon dioxide on an annual basis.

The building also serves as the global corporate headquarters for UTC Climate, Controls & Security division, providing a modern and connected work space for 500 employees.

“The UTC Center for Intelligent Buildings is more than a world headquarters for our business – it’s the embodiment of our commitment to our customers,” said Bob McDonough, president, UTC Climate, Controls & Security. “This building was designed specifically to show our global customers exactly what is possible in the building technology space. That’s why we’ve chosen to openly display critical building technologies that are typically hidden in basements, closets and on rooftops. These solutions are vital to productive, safe and secure indoor environments, and our new building is a celebration of the modern life they enable.”

The Center is said to be designed to indoor air quality conditions found by Harvard University researchers to double occupants’ cognitive function test scores compared to a conventional building environment. In addition, employees will have access to a custom mobile app that will enable access to the building, control the temperature and lighting in their workspaces, and help them find their next meeting through wayfinding capabilities.

The building, located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, features solutions and interactive displays from UTC brands. It’s described as a living showcase of what’s possible when the company’s technologies are implemented intelligently and integrated to increase efficiency, protect people and property, and enhance the occupant experience.

Technologies utilised include two Carrier AquaEdge 23XRV chillers, paired with augmented reality to reveal their inner operations, glass-encased Otis elevators and NCE escalators and digital technologies that help manage HVAC, elevator, and fire and security systems, all connected by Automated Logic’s WebCTRL building automation system.