An invitation to the Build in Digital Editorial Guidance Panel validates extensive engagement in the digital buildings ecosystem.
A deep dive into the Smart-to-BIM revolution, focusing on human-centred design and transforming data into living assets.
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A deep dive into the Smart-to-BIM revolution, focusing on human-centred design and transforming data into living assets.
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A discussion on bridging the construction-operations gap and ensuring successful digital soft landings through knowledge transfer.
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A deep dive into the Smart-to-BIM revolution, focusing on human-centred design and transforming data into living assets.
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Inclusion in the Digital Construction Power Players 2025 list validates my expertise in leveraging collaboration to advance smart assets.
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Smart Building ROI & Investment
26 March 2025
Yesterday, I moderated a panel on ‘From Blueprint To Bottom Line: Unlocking Roi In Smart Buildings’ at WORKTECH‘s Smarter Technologies 25 Conference at WeWork Waterloo offices with the following participants:
- Damien Renaut, Digital Buildings Lead, Landse
- Chris Boultwood, Head Of Technology at Workspace Group
- Dr. Pe-Ru Tsen, Senior Director – Global Real Estate Workplace Experience at Boston Consulting Group (
- Daniel Watson, UK Director at Hereworks
You can read an AI summary of the panel session on the DBC’s site and listen to an AI-generated podcast discussion of it I have posted over on LinkedIn.
Redefining master systems integration
20 February 2025
As part of my new role at the Digital Buildings Council (DBC), I help organize panels for our members at events across the UK and Europe. I also share summaries written by our members and generated by AI tools. Additionally, I assist members in gaining visibility for their thought leadership related to the DBC’s key focus areas
A great example of connecting the dots like this can be found in the feature article by John Clar from One Sight Solutions, published in Smart Buildings Magazine. This article builds upon the insights shared during the “DBC Redefining Master Systems Integration” panel at the ISE Smart Buildings Summit 2025 in Barcelona, which I facilitated and where John participated. In the article, he discusses the key challenges, emerging trends, and actionable strategies that are shaping the future of Master Systems Integrations (MSIs). It offers a deeper exploration of the topics that resonated most with both the audience and the panelists.
You can find an AI-generated summary of the panel on the DBC’s website, and I also posted an AI-generated podcast discussion on LinkedIn.
Last year, I facilitated a roundtable discussion primarily with owners and operators, which I summarized for Smart Buildings Magazine (see here). This discussion and the outreach surrounding it significantly influenced the five other gatherings I curated throughout the year, as well as much of my writing on LinkedIn.
To kick off this year, I facilitated a roundtable on Smart Enablement with Aleksandra Dasala, the former head of SmartScore Research at WiredScore. We engaged with industry professionals who are directly involved in the design and deployment of digital buildings. During our discussion, we explored upcoming trends and the challenges faced in the smart enablement of these buildings. Aleksandra and I reported on the findings of the day for Smart Buildings Magazine in our article, “What’s Smarter Now in Design and Deployment for Digital Buildings?” In this piece, you can read about how participants perceive value in smaller, focused, yet more representative agile groups collaborating effectively to fill gaps in existing frameworks.
Here’s a summary of the roundtable discussion on “digital buildings” and upcoming trends and challenges in smart enablement, highlighting key takeaways and the emphasis on collaboration:
Navigating the Smart Building Landscape: Collaboration is Key
Market engagement specialist Justin Kirby and smart building specialist Aleksandra Dasala recently facilitated a roundtable discussion with experts in the design and deployment of “digital buildings.” The discussion, held at LMG IQ’s London HQ, brought together a diverse group of design consultants, MEP engineers, contractors, systems and software integrators, and technology and platform vendors to discuss the evolving landscape of smart enablement.
The co-created agenda focused on crucial themes, providing a platform for meaningful exchange without sales pitches. These themes included:
- Definitions & Standards
- AI, Cybersecurity & Data matters
- NetZero (with S & G in ESG)
- Landlord & Tenant dynamics
- Smart Enablement Process (Best Practice)
- Business Case, ROI & Risk
- Tech Direction of Travel & Future Proofing
- Industry Collaboration Priorities
Key Takeaways from the Discussion:
The current state of the industry is highly siloed, highlighting a significant need for a more interconnected approach. Participants strongly advocated for smaller, focused, and representative agile groups to effectively bridge gaps in existing frameworks like the RIBA Plan of Work Overlay. The collective outputs from such groups, made publicly available as accessible datasets, could significantly enhance best practices across the industry.
Defining “Smart” and Establishing Common Ground
A universally agreed-upon definition of “Smart Buildings” remains elusive due to the diverse stakeholders involved. While various Standards and Certifications offer value, a clear distinction between their purpose is essential. Industry standards address technical requirements, while certifications provide validation frameworks. The roundtable emphasized that initial collaboration efforts should focus on agreeing upon relevant global IT and OT standards, combined with regulations and legislation, to alleviate ambiguity and establish a common language.
Similarly, there’s a need for a unified language and agreed-upon stages for the smart enablement process. Nuanced interpretations of terms like “smart ready,” “smart enabled,” “smart building,” and “smart workspace” underscore the diverse perspectives within the industry. Establishing a common understanding of these terms and their supporting technological foundations was identified as a “low-hanging fruit” for further collaborative efforts, potentially even aiding in a more precise definition of “Smart.”
Shifting Focus: From Use Cases to Success Metrics
A consensus emerged that prioritizing success metrics over extensive libraries of use cases is crucial for effective design. However, participants cautioned against a complete shift, as it could introduce vagueness in the sign-off process. Collaborative efforts should focus on defining success based on building or portfolio strategies and expected outcomes before delving into specific technologies.
Beyond NetZero: Embracing S & G in ESG
While ESG and NetZero targets have been primary drivers for smart building deployments, often emphasizing energy efficiency and carbon reduction, the roundtable highlighted the frequent oversight of societal and governance (S & G) aspects. Achieving true sustainability requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond technology. Challenges in data accessibility and transparency hinder feedback loops vital for good governance and user experience. A holistic approach encompassing occupant well-being, ethical data handling, and compliance is vital for smart building technology acceptance, transforming experiences, not just performance ratings. There was strong enthusiasm for a collaborative approach to address the practical aspects of sustainability and the role technology plays.
Demonstrating Business Case and Mitigating Risk
Success metrics must extend beyond solely square meter costs. The discussion highlighted the importance of demonstrating workplace ROI, as exemplified by the collaboration between the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and Leesman on Return on Workplace Experience. The business case must also address risk mitigation, including factors like poor air quality and cybersecurity threats. Crucially, the early involvement of Project Managers (PMs) and Quantity Surveyors (QS) is essential to ensure that smart deployment costs are understood and considered from the project’s inception, preventing them from becoming an afterthought subject to value engineering. Strategic starting points include considering smart readiness, digital enablement, minimum viable technological foundations, minimum viable office, and retrofitting roadmaps.
The Power of In-Person Collaboration
The gathering underscored the significant value of in-person, post-COVID meetings for fostering open dialogue and sharing insights. It provided a confidential platform, under Chatham House rules, for discussing experiences and lessons learned, ultimately contributing to the collective pursuit of best practices in the smart building industry. The participants affirmed their enthusiasm for continued collaborative discussions, moving beyond the “Why” to focus on the practical aspects of implementing smart solutions: the “How,” “Where,” “When,” “What for,” and “Who by Whom.”
Interoperability, what is it good for?
6 November 2023
Earlier this year I facilitated a retrofit-themed round table of developers, owners and operators at Cisco’s City of London HQ with help from author and ex-Arup Smart Building Consultant Jim Read. As a follow-up, we co-wrote an article about the talking points that had emerged for Smart Buildings Magazine you can read here. That was mostly framed around the role of retrofitting in the drive towards net zero, but also highlighted a key challenge that is a backdrop to this blog:
