SMA(i)RT: A Pilot Model of Intelligent Hybrid Ventilation for Retrofits in Small Offices and Housing

Abstract

This paper presents the SMA(i)RT project, a research work funded through the Eraikal 2023 program, aimed at advancing intelligent hybrid ventilation in building retrofits, specifically in small offices and housing. The project responds to the increasing demand for effective ventilation systems that balance energy efficiency with improved indoor air quality with small investment costs, a crucial concern in contemporary building rehabilitation. We discuss the SMA(i)RT approach toward ventilation, which integrates both natural and mechanical systems, adapting to varied environmental conditions while minimizing energy consumption through ventilation demand control using real-time monitoring. A pilot installation has been planned for implementation in a small office space with limited natural ventilation possibilities in Zarautz, Spain. This pilot is intended to serve as a real-life prototype that goes beyond simulation, allowing to examine the ease of implementation and both the effectiveness and performance of the proposed ventilation solution in a real-world setting, with real occupation. Expected outcomes of the SMA(i)RT project include not only evaluating the energy efficiency of the designed system compared to a conventional mechanical heat recovery ventilation (MHRV) system but also bringing together the partners of the project to eventually produce a viable, marketable technological product in compliance with building regulations with adequate testing. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.