Next-gen digital twin software for sustainable buildings

As the demand for smart, connected, and sustainable buildings continues to grow, digital twin technology can help property managers accommodate this new demand. It allows the creation of data-driven representations of a building. This enables data-driven decision-making that improves the overall efficiency of buildings and their assets.

What is the best software to create digital twin buildings to elevate tenant experience?

Today’s tenants expect modern, efficient, and comfortable workspaces that cater to their needs. This is where digital twin technology comes into play. Property managers can optimize space utilization, streamline operations, and enhance tenant satisfaction by creating virtual replicas of physical buildings.

Two tools for leveraging digital twin buildings for an improved tenant experience: Utilize and Flowscape

Two powerful applications that leverage digital twins to elevate tenant experience are Utilize and Flowscape.

Utilize

Utilize is an innovative solution that translates data from various presence sensors into a standardized measure of utilization called the Utilize Index. This allows property managers to compare real-time asset usage and analyze trends over time. Even if the sensors come from different systems, such as HVAC, access control, or indoor air quality monitoring, property managers can still use the data.

Flowscape

Flowscape, on the other hand, focuses on increasing efficiency for office workers and optimizing space utilization. The app offers a suite of features, including room booking, desk management, equipment finder, colleague finder, failure reporting, messaging, wayfinding, and workplace analytics. By simplifying the process of finding and scheduling meeting rooms, office spaces, and resources, Flowscape helps reduce time wasting and breaks down barriers to interaction.

Real-time insights of occupancy analytics

One of the key benefits of using digital twin software with tools like Utilize and Flowscape is the ability to access real-time insights through occupancy analytics. These applications, paired with real-time data provide property managers with a comprehensive understanding of how their buildings are being used.

Real-time occupancy data also enables property managers to respond quickly to changing tenant needs and preferences. For example, if a particular building area is consistently underutilized, the property manager can use this information to repurpose the space. Or, they can make improvements to encourage greater usage.

Make a digital twin of a building

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical building that accurately reflects its structure, systems, and assets in real time. But, accurately representing the inner workings of a building traditionally takes significant computing power.

Get started with ProptechOS

Getting started with ProptechOS is straightforward and user-friendly. Here’s how to create a digital twin of your building in under an hour:

• Sign up for a free trial: Access the ProptechOS platform by signing up for a free trial.

• Create a building profile: Once logged in, create a new building profile. Provide the name and coordinates of the property.

• Upload building blueprints: Upload the building’s blueprints in IFC or DWG format. Ensure that the files contain separate layers for walls, doors, and other elements in the form of polygons.

• Fill in the manifest: Specify which layers in the blueprints correspond to each building component.

• Initiate the conversion process: Start the conversion process to create the digital twin. Generally, this process will take a few minutes depending on the size of the blueprint.

• Preview and adjust the digital twin: Once the conversion is ready, preview the digital twin. Adjust its location by rotating and moving it to align with the physical building’s orientation.

• Onboard the first floor: After applying the changes, onboard the first floor of the building into ProptechOS. This integrates the digital twin into the ProptechOS platform.

• View the digital twin: Users can now view the digital twin in both 2D and 3D formats. You can explore the building’s layout and structure at this stage.

• Create digital twins for assets and devices (optional): Use existing connectors or develop new ones to establish data flows between physical devices and their digital counterparts. These connections enable real-time monitoring and analysis of asset utilization, indoor climate, and tenant portfolios.

• Analyze time-series data: Examine sensor data over preselected periods or custom timeframes. While looking at sensor data, you can find anomalies and zoom in to get a closer look. On average, you’ll get a new value every 10 minutes.

Improving building performance and tenant comfort

By creating a virtual replica of a physical building, property managers can gain deep insights into the complex interactions between systems, assets, and occupants. This knowledge allows for data-driven decision-making, proactive maintenance, and the implementation of innovative solutions that elevate the tenant experience. But, the primary benefit comes from predictive maintenance that enables uninterrupted tenant services.

Predictive maintenance for uninterrupted tenant services

Predictive maintenance leverages advanced algorithms and machine learning to analyze real-time data from the digital twin. This analysis helps identify patterns and anomalies that indicate impending equipment breakdowns or system inefficiencies. Addressing issues early based on this data minimizes downtime to ensure an uninterrupted tenant experience while reducing repair costs.

For example, if the digital twin detects a gradual decline in the performance of an HVAC unit, it can alert the maintenance team to schedule a service before the unit fails completely. This proactive approach prevents unexpected outages. It also extends the lifespan of the equipment, resulting in significant cost savings over time. According to Nucleus Research, predictive maintenance reduces downtime by up to 50% while extending asset lifespans by up to 40%.

Innovative solutions and connectivity

To create an intelligent building ecosystem, digital twins can integrate systems and devices into a unified platform. This unified platform supports seamless connectivity and data exchange between disparate systems. Here are a few examples of solutions you can employ through the use of digital twins:

• Connecting HVAC to occupancy sensors: With real-time data from occupancy sensors, digital twins can leverage that data to optimize the heating and cooling of specific areas based on actual usage patterns. A study published in Applied Energy found that tying occupancy sensors to lighting systems and HVAC can reduce energy consumption by 17.8%.

• Indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring: IAQ monitoring sensors can tie into a digital twin to gather real-time air quality data. Then, property managers can use this data to accurately assess the need for additional airflow, whether windows should be opened or closed, and air quality-related health concerns continuously. Advanced systems can even automate actions based on IAQ readings.

• Smart lighting solutions: Similar to connected HVAC systems, lighting solutions can also become smart when working with occupancy sensors. But, they can take things further by including daylight harvesting opportunities. Since a digital twin knows the positioning and layout of each room, it can accurately assess the need for artificial light based on current weather conditions and the time of day.

• Applications for tenant convenience: Digital twins allow for the creation of advanced tenant-facing applications. For example, using Flowscape, tenants can use mobile apps to control the temperature and lighting in their workspace, book meeting rooms, or report maintenance issues.

Are digital twins different from BIM?

While building information modeling (BIM) focuses on the design, construction, and documentation of a building, digital twins go beyond that by creating a dynamic, real-time replica of the physical asset.

BIM is essentially a 3D model of a building that contains detailed information about its design, materials, and systems. It serves as a collaborative tool for architects, engineers, and contractors during the planning and construction phases.

On the other hand, digital twins are live, dynamic representations of the building that are continuously updated with real-time data. They capture the ongoing performance, occupancy, and condition of the building throughout its lifecycle.

Leveraging ProptechOS and creating an intelligent ecosystem

ProptechOS is a powerful platform that enables the creation of intelligent building ecosystems through digital twins. By connecting various systems, devices, and data sources, ProptechOS provides a holistic view of a building’s performance and occupancy. It also enables real-time telemetry and control. This allows property managers to connect to devices and sensors with:

• Premade connectors
• Physical gateways
• Retrofitted sensors in older buildings

ProptechOS also excels in enhancing tenant experience and analytics by gathering presence data. The platform can integrate with utility provider APIs to automate the process of data collection. Or, you can import data to perform high-level energy and ESG analytics. Property managers can use these insights to optimize energy consumption and meet sustainability targets.

Get started with ProptechOS for free today and build your first digital twin in under an hour.