Even in an uncertain climate, developers remain committed to investing in smart technologies that have the potential to help maintain the value of their assets while also delivering a best-in-class occupier experience.At WiredScore, we’ve seen this in our conversations with developers from around the globe, as well as in the data we collect about smart buildings during the certification process. High-quality, energy-efficient buildings with in-demand amenities are still commanding strong rents in a recession, whereas demand for lower quality space is declining.It’s evident that smart technology is essential for a prime office – underlining its quality, efficiency and amenity-rich occupier experience. Landlords who have invested in future-proofing their buildings are seeing vacancy rates drop by 3.8%, higher rents and tenant retention increasing by an average of nine months.

Smart technology has come a long way since it first began appearing in building projects five years ago. These days, even in the face of an economic downturn, developers are continuing to invest in smart solutions. At WiredScore, we’re able to understand this commitment by observing projects from design to completion, and collecting data of smart buildings during the certification process.

What we’ve noticed is that premium office spaces tend to be better protected in a recession, and we’re already seeing this happening. Demand for these high-quality, energy-efficient buildings with in-demand amenities is still strong, while lower-quality spaces are lacking. Smart technology is the key factor that makes these spaces desirable, and landlords are responding to this by investing in future-proofing their buildings.

Sustainability is still an important priority, evidenced by new regulations in Sydney, Singapore and New York. These regulations are giving landlords incentives to engage with sustainability solutions and invest in efficient renewable energy construction. Metering systems are one of the top areas that landlords are looking at, as this allows them to immediately measure and understand their energy consumption.

In addition to sustainability solutions, landlords are also investing in technologies to improve the office experience, such as apps to find community events and amenities, or access control systems to reduce user friction. This is an effort to make the office at least as appealing as being at home, as the fear of empty floors is a real one in these changing times.

At the end of the day, smart technology remains a crucial investment for developers, landlords and owners, with the promise of improved building performance, tenant retention and social consciousness. By following the people who are doing this really well and collecting data from reliable sources, we are able to understand the most popular solutions JCube Residence in different markets and the best ways to implement them.