Smart Content
We’ve all seen it happen. Someone had a great idea, but it was a bit last minute. Usually, by the time a scheme gets to RIBA Stage 4 (detailed design), the property developer is focused on what they can do to create the most differentiation in the market. Understandable. We all want to add what … Read more
It’s a question that keeps coming up: Where does the smart building designer sit in a multidisciplinary design team? The answer has been different every time, depending on the project, the people, and how “smart” the client really wants the building to be. The thing is, smart touches every part of a design —architecture (where … Read more
For the past 10 years, I’ve been trying to calculate the same thing that my very first smart building client challenged me on… “yeah, that’s all great. But what’s the return on investment if I spend this much?”. And well, that’s a difficult question to answer. It’s taken me years and lots of trial and … Read more
It’s no surprise to anyone that knows me, that I love a certificate. In fact, I’ve just celebrated my 5 year anniversary as a reverend of the Universal Life Church. Peace be upon your smart building… but the vast range and increasing specificity of some certifications is getting out of control. Lately, email signatures have … Read more
I’ve never been particularly enthusiastic about digital twins. I don’t know why. Maybe they’re for the sort of people that never grew out of their ‘The Simms’ phase? Maybe the abuse suffered at Architecture School has led me to believe that those hours at the literal drawing board with leaky Rotring pens, was somehow worthwhile? … Read more
It’s starting to become clear to many across the industry that their smart buildings didn’t deliver the value that they were promised. From bombastic sales pitches to guaranteed savings, some have been left with lacklustre results or, at worst, nothing at all. And now that AI is being thrown into the mix, many are feeling … Read more
Open-plan offices have never been for me. I don’t have the attention span to deal with all the distractions, I’m a germaphobe, and I still struggle to understand that, just because they’re far away, you don’t need to shout down the phone. To be a bit Gen Z about it, they’re just not part of … Read more
We’ve all worked on projects that want one… a Single Pane of Glass. Apparently, having one place to access all systems is the panacea of smart buildings. They’re supposed to be sleek, streamlined interfaces that bring together various systems – be that heating and cooling to security and lighting – into one, easy-to-use dashboard. It’s … Read more
On a recent conference panel, I was disheartened to confirm something that I had already suspected. When someone has success with their smart building project, it’s kept top secret. So this month’s column is a combo of whinge and a business self-help article. I find the level of secrecy to be a paradox that is … Read more