Smart buildings create value when the information they generate is converted into better decisions. Deerns applied this approach at Nuga Castellana, a mixed-use development in Madrid.
Buildings now contain more connected technology than ever, yet much of its value remains unused. The challenge is rarely a lack of sensors, controls or digital platforms. It is the absence of a clear strategy for turning data into better decisions.
At Deerns, we see a smart building as one that uses technology and data purposefully throughout its life. That means understanding what owners, operators and users need, connecting systems that meet those requirements, and ensuring the resulting information supports day-to-day decisions.
Start with the outcome, not the technology
A sophisticated Building Management System (BMS) may include extensive functionality, but that does not guarantee better performance. Functions can remain inactive, systems can operate in isolation and facilities teams may lack the time or training to interpret the information available to them.
A smart building strategy should therefore begin before individual solutions are specified. Deerns supports asset owners in defining the outcomes they want and establishing how building services, security, vertical transportation, fire systems, occupancy data and other digital sources will contribute.
3 key questions help establish that direction:
- What decisions should data help people make?
- Which systems need to exchange information?
- How will operators use the information after handover?
Early coordination can also avoid duplicated networks, containment and hardware. A common digital architecture, defined interfaces and an accountable integration process can improve functionality while reducing unnecessary capital expenditure.
Connected data becomes useful data
Disconnected systems are one of the main barriers to smart building performance, making analysis difficult and portfolio level comparison impossible.
3 primary barriers to success:
- equipment is named differently across platforms
- data is incomplete
- interfaces are poorly defined
Standardisation is especially important for owners managing multiple assets. Open protocols and consistent data tagging allow information from different buildings to feed common platforms, creating a stronger basis for benchmarking and future applications.
This also makes the building easier to understand over time. Decisions, equipment records and as-built information can remain part of the digital environment rather than becoming fragmented across drawings, spreadsheets and contractor records.
4 practical benefits include:
- clearer comparison of performance between assets
- better visibility of energy, utilities, occupancy and comfort
- a stronger information base for refurbishment and investment planning
- tenant retention in a competitive market
From reactive maintenance to informed intervention
One of the strongest business cases for smart technology lies in operations. Without reliable monitoring and analysis, maintenance remains largely reactive: equipment fails, an alarm is raised, occupants complain and the response begins.
Connected data changes that sequence. Trends can show when a chiller is no longer reaching its expected set point or when repeated alarms indicate a developing fault. Digital twins, performance baselines, analytics and AI-supported tools can help operators identify abnormal behaviour earlier and focus attention where it is needed.
" The goal is not to replace facilities teams with technology. It is to empower teams to work more effectively by directing them towards systems that require action.
This approach results in 3 important benefits:
- fewer unexpected failures and emergency interventions
- maintenance based more closely on condition and performance
- improved business continuity through earlier identification of risk
A broader return on investment
The return from smart buildings should not be measured through energy savings alone. Value can also come from reduced equipment failure, better space utilisation, improved tenant experience and stronger evidence of building performance.
Occupancy data can show how spaces are being used, while comfort and utility information can provide tenants with clearer reporting. Reliable operational records can support investment decisions, refurbishment planning and due diligence. Certifications such as BREEAM and SmartScore can also provide third-party validation.
This matters for long term asset value. Buildings with obsolete infrastructure, incomplete documentation and unclear system dependencies become harder and more expensive to adapt. Sufficient physical capacity, scalable digital architecture and open interfaces create a more credible route for future change.
Existing buildings do not need to replace all their equipment at once. Deerns often recommends a phased approach – begin with a digital audit, identify gaps and develop an implementation plan. Existing equipment can be retained where appropriate, while IoT devices, wireless technologies or new integration layers progressively improve visibility and control.
Case study: Nuga Castellana
On a mixed-use development in Madrid, Deerns helped to modernise the smart building infrastructure of NUGA Castellana, a mixed-use asset that has been redeveloped by PIMCO Prime Real Estate. The scope of works included developing a smart building strategy around a consolidated IP backbone and IoT infrastructure, strengthening access to operational and tenant data while reusing suitable existing assets.
Making smart technology earn its place
The real measure of a smart building is how effectively technology supports decisions over the building’s life, improving both operational performance and tenant retention.
Deerns combines smart building consultancy with multidisciplinary engineering to connect strategy, MEP systems, digital infrastructure, operations and long-term asset planning. When technology is coordinated around clear objectives, data becomes a working resource that can reduce operational risk, improve user experience and help buildings remain competitive as expectations and technologies evolve.
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