Correspondence: Chung Yim Yiu, Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; Tel: +852 2857 8629; Fax: +852 2559 9457; E-mail: ecyyiu@hkucc.hku.hk

¹is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Real Estate and Construction, the University of Hong Kong. He is a qualified building surveyor, and a corporate member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, and the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors. His research interests and expertise are in building maintenance, property and construction economics, and finance.

Received 28 March 2008; Revised 28 March 2008.

Abstract

Intelligent building has been developing for more than 25 years, and has undergone four major generations. It has now been widely and deeply developed in new buildings. There is, however, no commensurate development of intelligence in building maintenance. This paper discusses the current primitive approaches in building maintenance and puts forward a novel idea of intelligent building maintenance. A learning model for building maintenance intelligence is discussed. The research agenda with some examples of this novel discipline is raised. Although intelligent building maintenance may be a fantasy today, it could bring far-reaching benefits to the health and safety of building users.