Review of the Digital Building of the Future conference

Under the new title Digital Building of the Future, the FHI branch Building Automation organized the annual conference in Van der Valk Vianen. The most important themes that were discussed were sustainability, digitalization and safety and cyber security, with people being central each time.

Leonie Meuwszen and Remco Balvert (BINX Smartility) opened the lecture program with a keynote. The two discussed the benefits of smart utility construction by optimally using data. FHI spoke Meuwszen We will briefly discuss this in the run-up to the event.

After a short break the lectures were divided into a number of tracks. For example, Theo Smulders of Celsius spoke about the benefits of wireless communication lines in buildings. Leontien de Waal of ABN Amro spoke about building more intelligently, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and digitalisation. De Waal mentioned the climate conference in Egypt and the need to make future-oriented choices. She placed her hopes on future regenerative buildings that can bring back nature and ecosystems. Han Bak (Chess) and Willem Dammers (Trilux) discussed the interesting project Tripolis in Amsterdam. An outdated office building on the Zuidas has been converted into an 'eco-conscious campus'.

After lunch, Thijs Bouman, university lecturer and researcher in Social and Environmental Psychology, discussed in his keynote the need to place people at the center of interaction with digital technology. Bouman argued that incorrectly implemented technology can demotivate people from achieving certain goals, such as sustainability.

After this keynote, a number of sessions followed on various subjects. Gusts Kossovics of the European Building Automation and Controls Association explained the EPBD BACS requirements that will apply in 2025 and discussed the effect on the Dutch market situation. Kees Smit (Dalemburgh Inspections) delved into the EPBD III legislation, while Bram van der Smagt (Lely) gave an interesting lecture on the sustainability of an office building on the Lely campus.

Around half past four the conference was closed and exhibitors and visitors could enjoy a closing drink. Themes for next year's conference may have been discussed.