In the past, the office was considered a dumb container for work, with people commuting to buildings where they spend most of their day behind a desk. Now these assumptions are being challenged. Remote working is a growing part of the workplace mix post-pandemic, and companies are viewing their corporate real estate as opportunities for cross collaboration, higher productivity, and better performance.
No longer are “smart buildings” simply energy efficient. Companies are seeking innovative ways to secure the most value from their workplaces that goes way beyond energy efficiency. Today’s smart buildings have health and well-being at their center, along with sustainability goals.
Here are 11 components that a Smart Building employs:
1. The Internet of Things (IoT)
Thousands of sensors and other connected devices are embedded into the fabric of the building and exchanging information over the Internet.
2. Predictive Analytics
Using data from IoT devices, intelligent software forecasts how the building and its different systems will perform throughout their lifecycles.
3. Open Standards Architecture
All connected devices are speaking the same language, allowing them to ‘talk’ to each other and exchange information.
4. App-enabled Building Services
The mobile phone is the pivot in a smart building; occupants can control their environment, book amenities and access wayfinding all through a mobile app.
5. Intelligent Building Management System (iBMS)
Functioning like the building’s brain, the iBMS connects to all systems and devices and then makes informed decisions to improve the building’s operations.
6. Sustainable Buildings
By carefully monitoring the usage of electricity and water, the building optimizes the performance of its different systems and is highly energy efficient.
7. Actionable Intelligence
Intelligent software monitoring the performance of every building device detects faults, schedules maintenance and sustains optimal levels of performance.
8. Smarter Security
Technologies like robotics, video analytics and advanced access controls keep building users safe.
9. Data in the Workplace
Data on the occupancy of different workspaces is captured and reported in real time, enabling the building’s manager to identify spaces where an intervention is needed.
10. Getting Smart About Wellness
Sensors and wearables report on how the working environment is supporting the wellbeing and productivity of building users.
11. Enhancing Employee Experience
Using an app, building users are able to locate colleagues, control their environment and access building information.
Companies are increasingly aware of the competitive advantages that can be secured from adopting a well-considered workplace and real estate strategy. This shift has changed the types of work environments firms create, and the kinds of buildings to which they opt to locate.