The pressure to meet global climate targets has never been greater and with buildings accounting for 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, there is an urgent need to advance sustainable building technology to help enterprises meet net zero goals while accommodating continued growth.
"The Smart Building of the Future," a new paper from Johnson Controls outlines how smart buildings equipped with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, IoT, cloud and cybersecurity will help enterprises create a future where our buildings integrate with human and environmental ecosystems.
Smart buildings offer a harmonized environment that prioritizes both well-being and sustainability, using technology to adapt and unlock potential, support productivity and drive peak performance of building occupants.
"Never has it been more important for organisations to consider advanced and efficient ways to reduce their carbon footprint – especially in the buildings industry, which is the single largest source of our planet's greenhouse gas emissions," said Johnson Controls chief technology officer Vijay Sankaran.
He opined that the smart building of the future offers new and more effective ways to help companies meet critical climate goals, reduce costs, enhance daily operations to achieve business growth and improve personalized experiences.
“When a building 'comes alive' with smart technology, all stakeholders benefit from the integrated approach that ultimately creates a healthier, safer and more productive environment," he continued.
Factors Accelerating Smart Building Trends
Several factors are converging to accelerate the development and adoption of advanced building systems technology. As building owners work to respond to challenges such as rising energy costs and changes in occupancy patterns, among others, sophisticated IoT devices and the implementation of data analytics and AI have become more important than ever.
Key insights for building managers
Ubiquitous connectivity through cloud-based services on the edge breaks down barriers between siloed and integrated devices, enabling the flow of real-time information that business leaders can analyse for insights and continuous improvement.
AI-enabled autonomous smart buildings will be at the core of the next generation of smart buildings, driving efficiencies, enhancing the user experience and enabling advancements in sustainability. AI at the edge reduces privacy, compliance and cyber concerns by allowing data to be securely processed and stored within the building operator's network.
Digital twins enable a continuous feedback loop between the physical and the virtual by facilitating the integration of AI, IoT and cloud technologies to generate strategic recommendations for improving building performance and user experience.
As many of the technical foundations required to turn buildings into smart buildings already exist, organisations should take additional action to prepare for and improve their future building operations.
This includes developing a strategy that includes user experience, partnering with IT and cybersecurity teams, establishing partnerships with external consultants, investing in education and training, and running pilot projects.
The survey found building operators believe smart buildings are important in helping organisations accelerate sustainability initiatives and that adding or upgrading building automation and digital technologies to optmise energy use are among the most impactful sustainability investment areas. The survey also found that most leaders seek partners, like Johnson Controls, who can provide a digital platform across sites and use cases, which Johnson Controls provides.
FAQs
"The Smart Building of the Future," a new paper from Johnson Controls outlines how smart buildings equipped with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, IoT, cloud and cybersecurity will help enterprises create a future where our buildings integrate with human and environmental ecosystems.
What is the future of smart buildings? ›
The future of smart buildings is centered around creating occupant-centric environments that prioritize comfort and well-being. Technologies and features such as smart lighting, personalized temperature control, and indoor air quality monitoring contribute to improved occupant comfort and productivity.
What is the smart buildings market forecast? ›
Smart Building Market Statistics, 2032
The global smart building market size was valued at $78.28 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $247.17 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2023 to 2032.
What is the rise of smart buildings? ›
By marrying IoT data with existing building systems and other data sources, a smart building brings new levels of automation, command and control. According to Jupiter Research, the number of smart buildings globally is expected to rise from 45 million in 2022 to 115 million in 2026.
What are the challenges of smart buildings? ›
The lack of knowledge and expertise of smart building systems, the lack of knowledge and expertise in smart building systems is a significant challenge that can hinder the successful implementation and operation of smart buildings (Zhao et al., 2021).
What will happen to buildings in the future? ›
One of the crucial trends shaping the future of sustainable buildings is the environmental focus on decreasing energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. For instance, building codes and industry standards are becoming much more stringent, pushing for energy-efficient designs, materials, and systems.
What will future smart homes look like? ›
Increased home security
The home of the future also prioritises the safety of its household. Smart cameras, smoke detectors, motion detectors… To ensure peace of mind throughout the day, a system must be set in place to detect all possible dangers.
Are smart homes the way of the future? ›
Smart homes are transforming the way we live by making our homes more comfortable, efficient, and healthy. As technology advances, the appeal and value of these homes will only continue to grow. Investing in smart home technology is not just about convenience; it's about creating a better, more sustainable future.
What is the expected growth of smart homes? ›
Revenue in the Smart Home market is projected to reach US$154.4bn in 2024. Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 10.67%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$231.6bn by 2028. Household penetration will be 18.9% in 2024 and is expected to hit 33.2% by 2028.
What is the smart building theory? ›
A smart building uses its intelligence to collect actionable data from user devices, sensors, systems, and services on the premises. Applying that data using artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) makes the building both programmable and responsive to the needs of the users and the building manager.
While smart buildings have made work easier and more efficient, their increased dependency on technology and electronic devices makes them more vulnerable to various cyberattacks. If a cyberattack breaches a single connected operational device, it could put the entire network at risk.
What are the barriers to smart buildings? ›
After conducting an in-depth literature review, we identified 23 barriers, 8 of which were deemed the most significant by professionals in the field: a lack of qualified professionals, shortage of government policies, higher initial and construction costs, macroeconomic barriers and access to financing, high costs of ...
What is the limitation of smart building? ›
One of the biggest and most obvious disadvantages of smart buildings is the security threat. As all technology is interconnected, it makes it easier for hackers to put tenants at risk. This is especially a rising concern when cheaper technology is employed without top-of-the-line security features.
What is the future of the building industry? ›
Sustainable construction
In an era of increasing environmental consciousness, sustainability will be at the forefront of the construction industry's future. The green building market is projected by Mordor Intelligence to reach US$394.4 billion by 2028, growing by 9.73% annually.
Why are smart homes the future? ›
With smart technology, you can control lights, locks, and even your thermostat with just your voice or a tap on your phone. This means more convenience, better security, and lower energy bills. Smart homes are not just a trend; they're a smart investment for a brighter, more comfortable future.
What does the future of smart cities look like? ›
The future of the smart city will include technology-driven smart city solutions that provide predictive analytics that may help identify areas that need repair and maintenance work before an infrastructure failure happens.
