The buildings are no longer a game of brick and mortar; they're becoming intelligent partners in property management. You might not notice it, but your property is changing. The secret lies in the digital revolution that's transforming properties into intelligent assets.

Covid-19 has drawn more attention to workplace safety and accessibility. Building managers are increasingly turning to technology to enhance these crucial aspects. Notably, the growing use of IoT-enabled technology is fueling this trend. It's leading to the development of new building management systems, increased awareness of space utilization, compliance with industry standards and regulations, and the response to the demand for energy-efficient systems.

Accordingly, the global intelligence market has been increased from $67.60 billion in 2021 to $265.37 billion in 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.6% throughout the forecast period. Investing in smart buildings can easily save money, increase tenant satisfaction, and create safer workspaces. Intelligent buildings also allow property managers to offer a unique and improved customer experience to tenants and visitors.

Smart buildings are not just a fad; they are the present and future of facilities management. New innovations are constantly expanding the possibilities of intelligent buildings.

Picture the scenario…

You step into your office, and as you pass through security, you're greeted by your name. A freshly brewed coffee prepared just the way you like it, is handed to you, and you're guided to a serene, accessible space that's perfectly set up for the report you need to write that morning. Does this sound like a dream? Well, according to Preeti Bajaj, the Vice President of Strategy and Transformation at the French multinational Schneider Electric, it might not be too good to be true.

It is being emphasized that intelligent buildings are not about tracking individuals, but rather about monitoring how spaces are being utilized effectively. The goal is to optimize space usage without invading personal privacy.

Bajaj also underscores the importance of safeguarding privacy by ensuring that the data collected by smart buildings is anonymous. Additionally, she points out the importance of open communication and building trust with staff. Workplace solutions that involve smart building technologies require collaboration between people and culture teams, technology teams, and building design. Implementing a space utilization solution in isolation without proper communication and consensus will not be successful, as people will not trust it. The key is to ensure that everyone is on board and satisfied with the technology's adoption.

Some businesses are considering going a step further and monitoring staff interactions and communication levels to boost productivity. For example, the Bank of America partnered with Humanyze, a people analytics company, to study the interactions of its call center employees and identify critical times of collaboration. Employees were asked to wear smart badges that tracked how often they communicated, how long their interactions with colleagues lasted, and where they were in the building.

To protect employee privacy, participation was voluntary, and only anonymized data was shared with managers. The findings showed that employees with the most robust networks had the highest productivity and engagement levels. Interestingly, 80% of group interactions occurred during overlapping lunch breaks. As a result, the bank tested synchronized coffee breaks, which led to a 19% decrease in employee stress levels, a 23% increase in call completion rates, and a significant drop in turnover from 40% to 12%, compared to staggered breaks.

Key Business Drivers for Smart Building Technology

Intelligent building technology is driven by a variety of factors, including:

Enhanced Well-being: These buildings regulate temperature, humidity, and access to natural light, fostering a comfortable environment that promotes physical activity and social interaction.

Sustainability: Smart buildings optimize energy consumption, reduce water usage, and incorporate renewable energy sources to cut carbon emissions and align with environmental goals.

Tenant Satisfaction: They provide personalized comfort settings, access to amenities, and adaptable spaces to meet tenant needs.

Optimized Space Usage: Using sensors, intelligent buildings maximize space efficiency and adaptability, promoting collaboration and innovation.

Customer Loyalty: Achieving green building certifications and positive experiences with smart buildings can enhance brand recognition and loyalty.

Risk Reduction: Smart buildings bolster preparedness with backup systems and resilient designs, reducing the impact of disruptions.

Efficiency and Cost Reduction: They automate tasks and minimize manual maintenance, improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Smart buildings gather and analyze data to optimize operations, identify improvements, and support informed decisions.

How are the innovations being implemented?

Below are four innovations propelling innovative technologies in today's buildings and the influence they have on the individuals and businesses that depend on these facilities. 

Smart AI and ML-Powered Access Control Systems

Building owners are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) -powered access control systems to enhance security and protect people in the post-lockdown era.

For instance, facial authentication systems can help to prevent unauthorized entry, identify and document entrants, and safeguard individuals. This is especially important for companies that are grappling with return-to-work policies. AI and ML-powered access control systems can provide an extra layer of protection for employees, customers, and visitors.

Additionally, this technology can support contact tracing efforts, which is a critical concern for many building managers and occupants. AI and ML-powered access control systems can track and record who enters and exits a building, making it easier to identify and contact individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Predictive Intelligence and Facial Recognition 

Biometrics, especially facial recognition, are transforming movement management in buildings. Building managers can now use this technology to assess building movement, rethink space and traffic patterns, and optimize safety and efficiency.

For example, highly capable sensors can use facial recognition to grant facility access and enforce building policies, such as mask mandates. Additionally, advanced features such as trail detection can further enhance physical security without compromising usability.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings

Electricity is a major expense for building owners, so energy efficiency is a top priority. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that buildings consume 74% of the electricity produced in the U.S., but account for only 39% of total energy use.

Grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) help solve this challenge by transforming energy-consuming businesses into dynamic operations powered by intelligent technology. GEBs combine energy efficiency with demand flexibility to reduce costs and improve safety, cleanliness, and sustainability.

GEBs can intelligently adjust their energy consumption based on grid conditions and electricity prices. This helps to reduce the overall demand on the grid, which can save money for building owners and allow utilities to maintain a reliable power supply.

GEBs can also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the transition to clean energy. For example, GEBs can use renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to generate their own electricity. They can also store energy when electricity prices are low and discharge it when prices are high.

Smarter Decisions and Automate Operations with Data Analytics 

Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and other technologies are generating increasingly comprehensive data that can inform building owners and managers. For example, AI can monitor machine usage to automatically schedule maintenance, while activity and temperature sensors can automatically adjust conditions to account for shifting usage patterns. These benefits are multifaceted, with occupants enjoying optimal conditions and building managers reducing energy costs when facilities are unused.

Collectively, building owners will have more data than ever before, allowing them to understand how their facilities are actually used and automate many processes. This demonstrates that intelligent buildings can improve real-world outcomes for both building owners and occupants.

Which features will be improved?

Making your building intelligent, either during development or through retrofitting, offers many advantages. It attracts modern tenants and can also lead to higher profitability and retention rates for apartments, offices, and other types of buildings.

Streamlined Maintenance

Proper building upkeep is essential for any building. Intelligent buildings streamline maintenance processes and automation, saving time for building managers and property owners.

Intelligent buildings emphasize proactive maintenance by closely monitoring systems and suggesting minor repairs or maintenance tasks before they become major problems.

Most smart buildings use sensor systems to identify potential maintenance issues. For example, intelligent pipes and leak detection systems can provide early warnings, preventing catastrophic pipe failures and saving significant costs.

Saving Energy

Experts estimate that 68% of all energy in the United States is wasted, mostly because of:

• Leaving lights on all day and night
• Overusing air conditioning
• Running water for too long
• Using old or dirty air filters
• Leaving electronics plugged in when not in use
• Powering an empty refrigerator or freezer

Intelligent buildings address these problems and regulate energy usage to promote sustainability and save you money on energy bills.

Reliable Internet

Intelligent buildings rely on internet access to use the Internet of Things (IoT) devices in their networks. In the past, it was enough to have a few WiFi routers placed throughout a building to accommodate tenant internet use. However, because intelligent building systems rely on the IoT, it is important to maximize the building's internet coverage. Without internet connectivity, an intelligent building loses many of its smart technology solutions.

Therefore, builders should avoid using materials that block Wi-Fi signals. Additionally, it is a good idea to have a backup plan in place for internet outages. Ethernet cables, which provide a direct internet connection, are a good way to guarantee continuous internet access.

Conclusion

Buildings are evolving into intelligent assets, driven by the digital revolution and IoT technology. Investments in smart buildings prioritize safety, accessibility, and sustainability, offering benefits like streamlined maintenance, energy efficiency, and enhanced profitability. These innovations, including AI-powered systems and data analytics, are reshaping the built environment, paving the way for smarter, and more resilient communities.