This demands a multidisciplinary approach to ensure a seamless transition from construction to occupancy. There are several challenges for achieving optimal building performance, but overcoming them is an essential part of making buildings appealing to occupiers, landlords, and investors. Considering and acting on the points outlined below can help make smart buildings a reality, enhance occupier experiences, and prepare for future net zero targets, thinking about the needs of tomorrow, as well as today.

Optimising expertise from design to operations

Early engagement with property management professionals is crucial. This ensures assets are optimally designed and handed over from development or major redevelopment in a manner which allows them to be operated efficiently, maximising commercial viability, optimising the latest smart buildings tech and achieving sustainability goals.

Avoiding costly retrospective changes?

In property management, planning is key. Development projects frequently encounter issues during handover due to decisions made in the early stages, often with little or no consultation with property or facilities management operators. These issues can lead to significant post-completion costs to correct or set up the asset for effective property management and value for money for occupiers. 

Creating sustainable, high performing spaces

Even well designed buildings can fail to meet sustainability and net zero aspirations due to poor handover and building performance operations. This is highlighted in NABERS energy assessments, which are based on actual energy consumption once the asset is occupied, ensuring there’s no room to hide or overlook missed opportunities for improving efficiency. By involving property management professionals with experience in energy performance optimisation and fine tuning early in the development process, buildings can be designed and operated to meet high sustainability standards, ensuring they perform well in NABERS and other sustainability benchmarks.

Enhancing occupier experiences

A key aspect is enhancing the experience of building occupiers. This involves not only ensuring that the building operates efficiently but also that it provides a comfortable and productive environment for its users. Smart building technologies play a crucial role here, offering features such as automated lighting, climate control, and security systems that can be tailored to the needs of occupiers. By integrating these technologies from the outset, property managers can create spaces that are not only energy efficient but also highly appealing to tenants. The development and handover of these complex systems to property management teams necessitates early stakeholder engagement and soft landings. This should be followed by effective training and integration with property management systems, which are often procured post-construction, to avoid implementation issues, delays, occupier frustrations, and erosion of trust.

Preparing for future net zero targets

As the world moves towards more stringent environmental standards, preparing buildings for future net zero targets is becoming increasingly important. Bringing in property management professionals early ensures that sustainability is a core consideration throughout the development process and seamlessly into operation, rather than diminished or forgotten during handover. This proactive approach helps to future proof buildings, making them more attractive to environmentally conscious occupiers and investors.

The way forward

The role of property management cannot be understated in the overall operation of a building. From early engagement to avoid costly changes, to creating sustainable and high performing spaces, through to the overall successful operation of the property and its ability to meet the needs of all stakeholders. By embracing a multidisciplinary approach and leveraging the latest technologies, property managers can help turn newly constructed buildings into operational assets that are efficient, sustainable, and appealing to occupiers, landlords, and investors alike.

Further information

Contact Matthew King or Tom Morris-Chippendale

Redefining the built environment: Complexity within intelligent buildings