The built environment is changing rapidly. Where the central heating system and the concierge used to form the backbone of property management, algorithms, sensors, and dashboards are taking over. During the masterclass Innovative and efficient real estate management, organised by VGME and FHI Building Automation, one question was central: how can people remain central now that buildings themselves are becoming increasingly smarter?
Digitalization isn't a choice, but a prerequisite for sustainable buildings. Cliff Willems, product and portfolio manager at Siemens, emphasizes that buildings are still among the world's biggest polluters. Smart technology is essential for reducing emissions. But, he warns, technology in itself doesn't change anything. "It's about how we use that technology. People are crucial for translating building data into concrete actions," says Willems.
This is also evident in practice. For example, an advanced climate control system has little effect if tenants open their windows. Property managers often find that the technology is already available, but adoption is stalling. Communication with tenants and users is at least as important as the technology itself. The challenge lies not in even smarter algorithms, but in behavior, awareness, and collaboration throughout the entire chain.
An interplay between market and government
Arjen Ouwehand, senior real estate market analyst at Rabobank, also emphasizes that smart buildings only work if they connect with their users. "We mustn't forget who we're building for. Ultimately, it's the tenants and employees who determine whether a building functions." Ouwehand observes, for example, that large companies are increasingly choosing locations in city centers or near public transport, partly due to sustainability requirements and changing work patterns.
The real estate market is constantly evolving. Supply and demand, economic growth, interest rates, and political choices influence how buildings are used and managed. Ouwehand outlines that investors are becoming increasingly selective: logistics warehouses and residential properties are popular, while offices still require redevelopment and sustainability improvements. Government policies, such as energy label C for offices or regulation of the housing market, play a major role in this. "It's a combination of market and government," says Ouwehand.
Buildings as meeting places
Looking ahead to 2050, experts envision energy-positive, partially autonomous buildings. But the building never stands alone. Willems states: "I prefer to see people at the center. Buildings are there for the users, not the other way around." New buildings must be flexible, circular, and inspiring, but only when they meet the needs of people—employees, tenants, and visitors—will they be truly successful.
The masterclass demonstrates that the future of real estate management isn't just about technology, data, or sustainability. It's about the human perspective: who uses the building, how does it meet their needs, and what impact does it have on the environment? Only when we place people at the center of design and management will smart buildings truly become smart places to live, work, and meet.
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