Amir, Soleimani Abyaneh - Smart Complex Office

KNX and BACnet Integration to Control to Smart Complex Office

NEW DESIGN, INSTALLATION, PROGRAMMING, CONFIGURATION, OPTIMIZATION, AND HANDOVER OF THE PROJECT AT MIRDAMAD OFFICE BUILDING

ONE OF MY FLAGSHIP PROJECTS IS THE MIRDAMAD SMART BUILDING, A STATE-OF-THE-ART OFFICE COMPLEX LOCATED IN THE NORTH OF TEHRAN, IRAN. THE BUILDING FEATURES OVER 300 ROOMS, EACH FULLY INTEGRATED WITH AN ADVANCED BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS). THE BMS IMPLEMENTATION BEGAN IN AUGUST 2020 AND WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED IN APRIL 2022, DELIVERING A FULLY OPTIMIZED, INTELLIGENT, AND FUTURE-READY INFRASTRUCTURE.

As a BMS Engineer, I was responsible for the technical design using the KNX protocol, system inspection, BACnet integration, and programming with ETS5 and NetX Automation. I also led the programming team in delivering efficient room automation solutions. I participated in the project as a subcontractor, working closely with Delta Pars Control Company, the main BMS contractor.

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BACKGROUND AND HISTORY

Statistics Information, Prior Objective, Secondary Objective

THIS HIGH-RISE PROJECT IS ONE OF TEHRAN’S LARGEST AND MOST COMPLEX OFFICE BUILDINGS

What is the size of the project?

This high-rise building is one of Tehran’s newest skyscrapers, designed with cutting-edge technology and smart infrastructure. It features a mix of open-plan and private offices, conference and meeting rooms, dining and relaxation areas, public zones, and multiple mechanical service rooms.A total of 329 rooms have been fully automated with 1,470 KNX devices, controlling lighting, HVAC, blinds, and security systems. All subsystems are seamlessly integrated and monitored through a centralized BMS workstation. Furthermore, mechanical rooms, electrical panels, and third-party systems are integrated using BACnet, Modbus, SNMP, and M-Bus protocols—ensuring comprehensive control, real-time data analysis, and optimal energy efficiency throughout the entire building.

FUTURE-READY OFFICES WITH CLASS A/B ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Prior Objective

The main objectives of the Building Management System (BMS) in this project were to intelligently reduce energy consumption and enhance overall building performance in accordance with EN 15232 standards. Our goal was to elevate the building’s energy efficiency to Class A or B.As illustrated in the image on the left, achieving Energy Class B involves several smart strategies, including individual networked room temperature control, scheduled energy-saving modes, occupancy-based lighting, and automated motorized blinds. All of these features were successfully integrated into this smart building project, allowing us to precisely meet the targeted energy performance goals and deliver a high-efficiency, future-ready building.

CENTRALIZED CONTROL AND REAL-TIME MONITORING FOR SMART BUILDINGS

Secondary Objective

Another key objective of the project was to centralize all data from electrical and mechanical controllers into a single BMS workstation for real-time monitoring and control, tailored to the client’s operational requirements. To achieve this, we deployed the Delta Controls platform, based on the BACnet protocol, as the core of the system. Additionally, we integrated a multi-protocol interface from NetXAutomation to connect other systems—primarily KNX—into the main BMS workstation.We also designed intuitive graphical interfaces that allow technicians to interact with the BMS in a user-friendly and efficient way, ensuring smooth operation and seamless supervision of the entire building infrastructure.

TEAM WORK

KNX Team, BACnet Team

SEAMLESS TEAMWORK, UNIFIED AUTOMATION

This project was the result of a strong collaborative effort. Two specialized teams were involved in the programming and implementation: one focused on KNX-based equipment and the other on BACnet-based systems. I led the KNX team, overseeing the entire room automation segment. Once both systems were fully deployed, we established seamless integration between KNX and BACnet, consolidating everything into a centralized BACnet monitoring layer.Through this platform, all functions—including control, monitoring, event management, alarms, and scheduling—were unified and optimized. This was not an individual achievement but a comprehensive team effort, where coordinated expertise ensured the project’s success.

This project was accomplished through collaboration between two expert teams: one focused on KNX-based room automation and the other on BACnet integration. Together, we seamlessly unified both platforms into a single BMS workstation for full control and monitoring.

PERSONAL ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES

Primary Responsibility, Design KNX Part, Forward-Thinking

FROM DESIGN TO INTEGRATION, DELIVERING SEAMLESS ROOM AUTOMATION

My Primary Responsibility

From the outset, my primary responsibility was to develop the design concept and lead the programming team for the room automation component of the BMS project. I managed the deployment of 1,472 smart devices operating on the KNX protocol, which were used to control lighting (switches and dimmers), HVAC systems, motorized shutters, and the web-based control interface.Another critical and technically challenging task I handled was the integration of the KNX subsystem into the BACnet-based main BMS workstation. This required advanced interoperability planning and precise execution to ensure seamless communication and unified control across all systems.

PRECISION DESIGN AND SEAMLESS ROOM-BY-ROOM INTEGRATION

I Design KNX Project

At the initial stage of the project, I conducted an in-depth review of all electrical and mechanical drawings related to the room automation system. I also gathered detailed technical requirements directly from the client to ensure full alignment with their expectations and operational needs.I then designed the KNX topology for the building, strategically organizing the 1,472 devices into defined areas and lines. This included assigning appropriate physical addresses, structuring group addresses, and establishing a strict programming policy to maintain consistency and reliability across the system.Following the design phase, I led my team through the room-by-room programming and testing process, ensuring each space was fully operational and seamlessly integrated into the overall Building Management System.

LEADING SMART BUILDING INNOVATION WITH EXPERT KNX INTEGRATION AND FUTURE-READY SOLUTIONS.

Forward-Thinking

In this project, I served not only as the KNX expert but also as the provider of the main multi-protocol integration platform, developed by NetXAutomation. With a clear vision of the project's final requirements, I established a disciplined programming structure from day one, guiding my team to follow best practices that would prevent future integration issues.This forward-thinking approach proved highly effective, allowing us to successfully complete and hand over the project on time, fully aligned with the client's technical and operational expectations.

CHALLENGES I FACED

First Challenge

One of the main challenges in this project was integrating actuators, keypads, controllers, and sensors from various manufacturers. This complexity required meticulous attention to detail—prompting me to study each device's technical manual thoroughly to properly configure parameters and ensure compatibility between sensors, actuators, and controllers within the system's software.Beyond documentation, my team and I adopted a rigorous, test-driven approach: after every minor programming adjustment, we performed targeted functionality tests to verify that the system behaved exactly as specified in the client’s requirements. This iterative process helped us achieve precise, reliable integration and ensured the final system delivered optimal performance.

Second Challenge

Another significant challenge was managing the diversity of indoor HVAC systems throughout the building, which included 3-speed 4-pipe fan coil units, VRF systems, and split units. Each zone was equipped with a different type of system, requiring tailored control solutions and programming strategies for each case.For example, one room featured a fan coil unit with a thermostat and integrated control buttons, while another had a fan coil without any local control interface. Some rooms were equipped with VRF systems, and others relied solely on split units without thermostats. This level of variation demanded custom configuration and control logic for each zone to ensure seamless operation, user comfort, and consistent performance across the entire building.

Third Challenge

Another major challenge we faced was the integration of approximately 10,000 data points into a multi-protocol platform provided by NetX Automation. These points needed to be fully monitored and controlled via the BACnet system. To achieve this, we developed a comprehensive graphical interface on the BACnet server, enabling real-time control and visualization of all system elements.Each data point had to be individually mapped from the KNX installation to the BACnet platform, followed by meticulous testing and optimization. This process required deep protocol knowledge, attention to detail, and a structured implementation plan to ensure seamless interoperability and performance across the entire smart building system.

SUMMARY

In my view, this project successfully met its initial objectives and offers strong potential for ongoing optimization in the near future. One of the key reasons for this success was our clear planning at every stage, combined with a disciplined approach to programming. We established strict, transparent policies to classify each system function, ensuring consistency and reliability throughout the project.Equally important was the strength of our teamwork and our commitment to professional standards. Every task was executed based on official guidelines and verified technical resources, avoiding unreliable or unofficial sources. This structured, collaborative, and detail-oriented approach was fundamental to the project’s success.

GALLERY OF PROJECT PICTURES

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