From smart buildings to intelligent cities

The big eye-catcher at this edition was undoubtedly Hall 3A, which housed what the fair organizers called "Transform & Beyond." This vibrant, fuchsia-colored hall showcased the future and transformation of the real estate sector. Companies and startups presented cross-industry solutions and products for decarbonising cities and buildings, smart building technologies, AI and robotics, digitalisation, and energy management solutions. It was evident that many organizations are collaborating to shape the future, addressing key challenges and opportunities in the real estate sector while adapting to evolving regulations like CSRD reporting and the Green Deal.

Much of the focus at "Transform & Beyond" was on smart buildings. These "intelligent buildings" extend beyond the concept of smart homes, connecting various building technologies in offices, hospitals, and airports. Future buildings must be integrated with their ecological and technological environments to ensure maximum comfort for users while contributing positively to environmental and climate protection. "Transform & Beyond" gathered numerous technologies and solutions for smart buildings, emphasising the need for various functions to be monitored, controlled, and interconnected. The Internet of Things (IoT) and "digital twins" are crucial in bridging the physical and virtual worlds.

IoT encompasses a network of physical objects equipped with sensors, enabling data sharing across various systems and software that communicate through different systems with one another. This connectivity allows for real-time adjustments in building operations, such as heating and ventilation, based on environmental factors like temperature and occupancy levels. By integrating data from systems such as HVAC, lighting, and access control, the IoT facilitates continuous energy optimization , enhances occupant comfort and can detect abnormal behavior in a subsystem early (Deep learning from data). In this context, digital twins play a crucial role. These computer models not only represent the building itself but also its technological systems, functions, and processes, making them manageable in a digital format. Digital twins significantly boost building sustainability by providing real-time data and insights into performance, allowing for continuous monitoring of energy consumption, temperature, and other critical metrics. They can predict maintenance needs, reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of building systems, while also identifying areas of energy waste and suggesting optimizations to improve overall efficiency.

At Expo Real, we had the opportunity to meet exhibitors such as Alfred Smart and Next Sense, who showcased their smart solutions to address the challenges of creating a greener building stock. Alfred Smart provides technology to track and report real-time building efficiency in terms of energy consumption, while Next Sense uses data, simulations, and AI to ensure compliance with decarbonisation regulations.

At PULSE, we are captivated by the intersection of digitalisation and innovation. Our work in this area relies on deep technical expertise, which we enhance through collaboration with VMA, our specialist in building technologies. Their VMANAGER platform centralises the management of technical installations and energy flows, optimising energy performance. To demonstrate these technologies and advise our client, we’ve implemented them in our own offices.

The new VMA headquarters in Sint Martens Latem showcases a commitment to smart building solutions, featuring human-centered lighting, flexible workspaces, and automatic meeting room occupancy controls. Smart cameras monitor building usage, while a digital booking system with LoRa IoT visualises available parking spots. Users can access an app to book meeting rooms, navigate the building, manage charging stations, and even order sandwiches. Additionally, the photovoltaic panels generate electricity that is optimally redistributed based on the needs of electric car users, taking into account their departure times and required capacity, all calculated based on expected solar production and energy rates .

Furthermore, Wood Hub in Auderghem, the new headquarters of the CFE group —recently dubbed "the ultimate smart building" by Le Soir—we collaborated with the Group's companies and several proptech firms. By centralising and unifying the controls and data from various technical systems, we enable intelligent, real-time adaptations to users' comfort needs. The approach used in Wood Hub provides building owners with a centralised view of energy consumption across spaces while allowing for flexible integration with additional third-party applications.

Digital twins can also play a significant role in developing the cities of the future. In our country, futurist Stefaan Vandist, author of "Pretopia," is a strong advocate for this concept. A digital twin city is a virtual, evolving representation of a city or region, including its systems, infrastructure, and information flows. This digital version is enriched with data from various city sources. Using High-Performance Computing (HPC), insights are extracted from vast amounts of real-time data to assist policymakers and urban planners in making informed decisions. The interface typically consists of a 3D model of the city, making the digital twin accessible to all stakeholders, including citizens who can engage in urban development projects.

The key advantage of a digital twin is the ability to experiment with different development scenarios and assess their impacts before implementing solutions. For instance, while installing noise barriers on a city’s main ring road may seem effective, it’s essential to consider the effects on air quality and emergency response capabilities. Simulating these scenarios in a digital twin helps uncover interrelationships and potential issues.

Digital twins exemplify augmented intelligence, merging artificial and human intelligence for innovation and progress. For example, Rennes in France has developed a 3D model to simulate sunlight, noise levels, and the impact of tree shadows on buildings, aiming to reduce environmental impacts and enhance residents’ quality of life. Similarly, Helsinki in Finland employs a digital twin to improve energy efficiency and combat climate change, providing valuable insights into building heating systems and solar energy potential.

Overall, Expo Real "Transform & Beyond" demonstrated that the sector is fully preparing for a shift toward sustainability, energy efficiency, and digitalisation. The smooth integration of IoT technologies and digital twins in our projects highlights pulse's dedication to promoting innovation and improving energy efficiency & comfort in buildings. We are excited to lead the way in shaping a smarter and more sustainable future.