The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

RIBA Launches New Smart Building Overlay

RIBA Launches New Smart Building Overlay
28 February 2024
 

The Royal Institute of British Architects has developed a Smart Building Overlay to the 2020 RIBA Plan of Work. 

 

Watch the Video

 


 

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), alongside ScanTech Digital, Glider Technology, Kier and Hoare Lea, has developed the free resource to support anyone involved in the design of new build, retrofit or refurbishment projects to implement smart building technology.  

 

Early Adoption

 

The main objective of the overlay is to prompt discussions of smart building technology at each work stage and in the process of briefing, designing, constructing and operating building projects. It encourages users to consider how the technology might support their desired project outcomes and helps them define “how smart” they want their project to be.

The overlay introduces smart building terminology and outlines the benefits of embedding smart building technology from the outset. In the guidance, RIBA states that developing the business case for smart building systems early on avoids potential compatibility issues at a later date.

One of the co-authors, Glider Technology’s Head of Product, John Adams, explained: “Glider has worked on a number of projects where smart technology has been an afterthought and it’s much harder to adopt later in a project. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders from the start of the project, it can proactively address interoperability issues and leverage integrated User Interface Platforms for seamless operation.”

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki added: “Our research shows that, too often, the decision to include smart technology in a project is often made too late. So, this guide prompts the client and project team to integrate smart technology discussions at every stage of design and construction. It recommends involving specialists at the earliest possible stage to ensure successful project outcomes.” 

Picture: a graphic showing a house, with a hand using a smartphone next to it. Above are icons representing capabilities of smart technology in buildings, such as lighting, temperature and CCTV. Image Credit: Pixabay

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 28 February 2024

Share



Related Articles

RIBA’s Reinvention Award Shortlist Revealed

RIBA has announced its shortlist for its 2024 Reinvention Award, celebrating the innovative reuse of existing buildings. The award spotlights buildings that have used...

 Read Full Article
RIBA Launches Award for Best Reuse of Buildings

The Royal Institute of British Architects has created a new award to celebrate buildings that have been reused or retrofitted. Four buildings have been shortlisted for...

 Read Full Article
How Technology and Smart Buildings Will Support the Daunting Retrofit Challenge

How will the intersection of retrofits, smart homes and digitally transformed building maintenance help the UK to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050? Nik Flytzanis,...

 Read Full Article
First Round of RIBA National Award Shortlist Revealed

37 projects have been shortlisted for the RIBA East and South East Awards 2025.  The prize recognises the UK’s best new buildings and provides...

 Read Full Article
High Performing Buildings – November’s Roundup

November’s high performing building roundup features the first office refurbishment in the South East to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, a zero carbon university...

 Read Full Article
Elizabeth Line Takes 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize 

The highest architectural accolade, the RIBA Stirling Prize, has been given to the Elizabeth Line. The RIBA Stirling Prize jury called it “a triumph in...

 Read Full Article
New Scottish National Centre for Retrofit of Traditional Buildings Announced

A new national centre dedicated to championing the retrofit of traditional buildings will be established in Scotland. Historic Environment Scotland (HES), using...

 Read Full Article
Retrofit of 60 Queen Victoria Street to Go Ahead

Planning permission has been granted to retrofit a 180,000 sq ft office building in the City of London. 60 Queen Victoria Street was built in the late 1990s and...

 Read Full Article
Plans Submitted for Major Edinburgh Office Retrofit 

Plans to revamp the landmark Calton Square office will extend the building from 150,000 sqft to 200,000 sqft. The retrofit project will provide a significant uplift in...

 Read Full Article
RIBA Stirling Prize 2024 Shortlist Announced

The RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist, representing the UK’s best new architecture, has been published. First awarded in 1996, the RIBA Stirling Prize is the...

 Read Full Article