Tianjin－The apartment's lighting and air conditioning systems can be controlled, and its skylights and curtains opened or closed. In a smart room displayed at an expo in North China's Tianjin municipality, all these futuristic home ideas have been translated into commercial reality.

The room made its debut at the China Building Science Conference and Green Intelligent Building Expo, which concluded on June 27, along with over 500 other exhibits dedicated to environmentally friendly technologies.

"The room is recyclable and renewable and can respond to environmental changes," said Yang Wei, project leader and professor at Tianjin University's School of Architecture.

Photovoltaic materials have been installed on the facade to collect solar energy to power the apartment, and surplus electricity can be shared with the power grid, bringing both environmental and economic benefits to owners, he added.

Zhong Jing Building Materials, another expo exhibitor, showcased its latest construction materials produced by 3D-printing.

While they give the appearance of wood, the company's floorboards are actually made of silicates and calcium. "We can also turn waste materials from chemical plants, like dust, into marketable panels and boards," said company representative Zhang Bo.

A scale model of the Huoshenshan Hospital grabbed the attention of many participants. The hospital was built in Wuhan in just 10 days, the first temporary facility of its kind to treat patients infected with the novel coronavirus.