Smart Offices with Heart: Prioritizing Wellbeing Beyond Technology

India has been steadily moving towards the construction of smart buildings. Over two decades after the IT boom in the late 1990s, numerous IT parks, special economic zones, and smart cities have been launched, boosting the demand for highly efficient workspaces to meet the needs of modern-day businesses. The emergence of innovative technologies eventually paved the way for the country’s first energy-efficient office building to be AI-powered in 2023. In the same year, the smart building market generated a revenue of $2180 million in 2023 and is forecasted to witness a 32.5% CAGR growth by 2030, according to a report by Grand View Research.

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Today, many real estate developers with a future proof  approach are integrating smart technologies in their developments to enable higher productivity. With over $2.9 billion invested in Indian Protect startups from 2020 to 2023, it’s clear that technology has become an indispensable part of the real estate industry. The emergence of Sustain Tech is the next step further in this journey. Stakeholders are increasingly seeking developments that use technology to create workplaces focused on the well-being of the business, its people, and the planet.

The Call for Holistic Well-being in the Workplace

Employee well-being is a concern being discussed and acknowledged by companies worldwide, leading to significant headway in addressing physical health and wellness at the workspace. Many organizations in India are also incorporating health goals in their performance review processes. A study by Medi Buddy and CII found that comprehensive wellness programs have helped companies boost employee productivity by 22%. However, the same report also stated that only 24% of professionals in India feel satisfied with the health options offered in their workplace. An even more concerning number is the 3x higher burnout rate compared to the 20% global average. 

It is true that physical comfort directly contributes to better mental well-being and higher overall satisfaction at work. However, it is important that organizations consider a holistic approach to well-being to enable their workforce to Work Well. This is especially true in India, which is among the world’s most overworked countries (International Labor Organization). Working professionals need workplaces that cater to their overall well-being and not just to their professional performance. 

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Enhancing Employee Experience with Technology

As companies strive to improve employee experience, technology can be an important ally in creating adaptive, comfortable working environments. Smart office technology enhances well-being by integrating biophilic design—introducing natural elements like greenery, light, and water into the workspace. Smart systems then optimize and manage these elements for maximum effect.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) software’s, for example, can be used to design layouts that optimize the inflow of natural light, an element crucial for working professionals’ overall health and happiness. BIM can also aid in developing ergonomic workspaces to reduce physical discomfort and strain, which often contribute to stress and fatigue. Smart sensors can monitor the real-time use of spaces, track employee comfort levels, and make ongoing adjustments to improve well-being. With IoT devices, a real estate developer can help organizations take care of the preferences and needs of individual employees with smart lighting, temperature controls, and air quality sensors. For instance, smart lighting systems can modify brightness and color temperature throughout the day to mimic natural daylight, reducing eye strain and fatigue. Using HVAC systems like Clairco’s indoor environmental quality solutions integrated with integrated sensors, can help monitor CO2 levels, pollutants, and humidity in real-time, ensuring that indoor environments are always healthy.  

Smart technology can also foster a more cohesive and connected workforce. AI-driven scheduling systems, virtual collaboration platforms, and smart meeting rooms can help streamline teamwork, ensure smoother interactions, and promote a culture of transparency and inclusivity, which, in turn, positively impacts a business’s overall performance. 

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Sustainable Smart Offices

In an age where environmental consciousness is more critical than ever, advanced technologies are a boon for any real estate developer. SustainTech is rapidly gaining traction as a vital component in driving the sustainable transformation of the real estate sector. With advancements such as the IoT, AI, and ML, property developers now have access to powerful tools that enable real-time monitoring, data-driven analysis, and optimization of resource use. These innovative technologies provide a wide range of solutions promoting the development of a greener, more efficient built environment. Planet-friendly interventions such as energy-efficient building designs, renewable energy systems, eco-friendly construction materials, and enhanced waste management strategies significantly contribute to the Net Zero goals organizations aim to achieve. Hence, the growing popularity of green-certified buildings – 75% of the 94.3 million sq. ft net absorption delivered by buildings since 2021 were green-certified, a report by JLL found.  

Smart technologies have also been instrumental in 99Realty projects. All our “Work Well and Live Well  experiences” integrate solutions that enable us to maintain stringent environmental standards throughout the life cycle of our developments. For example, the Al-based energy conservation tool Smart Joules helps us optimize the efficiency of HVAC systems and chillers. Neptune is a computer-aided tool for monitoring energy conservation that guides us to find abnormal consumptions.

Smart offices are evidence of a shift in workplace mindset. With the help of technology, a real estate developer can change how a project is conceptualized, designed, operated, and experienced. Adaptive spaces that evolve with work patterns and employee needs support modern business practices to create healthy work environments while being mindful of the environmental impact. Smart office solutions can be a key contributor to a culture of innovation and well-being for developers and businesses alike.