The [Irish?] Case for a Smart-Building Stimulus

The [Irish?] Case for a Smart-Building Stimulus

17/07/2020

Last week, Joseph Aamidor, proptech consultant and former director of product at Lucid Design Group and product manager at Johnson Controls, published an interesting article on Propmodo titled ‘The Case for a Smart-Building Stimulus’, outlining the reasons why governments need to prioritise and support smart building right now. 

Watching the policy focus in the UK switch demonstrably to offsite and other modern methods of construction, there is a lot for Irish policymakers to consider. While this article is definitely worth reading in full at https://www.propmodo.com/the-case-for-a-smart-building-stimulus/, below are a few of the most relevant insights

State stimulus resources need to be allocated not simply on the basis of need, but rather, where these resources can be put to the best possible use.

Aamidor proposes a smart building-focused stimulus plan that includes “investment in sensors, data, and analytics, coupled with traditional operational systems, to reduce costs and improve health and wellness”.

Significantly, this would upgrade buildings to provide for heating and cooling systems that operate according to building occupancy – and even area/zone occupancy – for great energy efficiencies and reduced maintenance expenditure. In the context of coronavirus (which he describes as “a call to action”), good ventilation would greatly decrease the airborne transmission risks, facilitating a return to the workplace and some sense of normalcy for businesses and staff. 

According to the author, directing State investment towards commercial buildings “would accelerate the adoption of critical technologies – many are commercially available, but are at the front end of the adoption curve – and generate a large number of jobs”. 

Aamidor points to specific opportunities for the State in funding buildings that are healthier, less costly to operate, and “prepared to deliver a work and living environment of the future”, including partnering with energy efficiency companies that finance the capital costs of installation or retrofitting upfront, which is then repaid through ongoing energy savings. Another key opportunity he outlines is around future skills training and innovation in smart building technology that drives wider industry adoption, thereby supporting new innovators into the local/domestic market. 

The overall impacts of such a stimulus plan would help building occupants to be productive and healthy, while greatly reducing the carbon footprint over the lifecycle of the building.

About McKeon Group:

Established in 1950, this year marks the 70th anniversary of McKeon Group, which remains a family business. ISO certified for more than two decades, McKeon Group offers expert construction, fitout and building services. The Group delivers projects, services and maintenance across a range of sectors for State, local authority, FDI and private clients. For more information, contact: www.mckeon.ie