What Makes a Building "Occupant Centric"?

A truly "occupant-centric" building is one that places the user at the center of focus in relation to occupant friendliness, comfort and satisfaction. To answer the question of how a building may create an enriching human experience through smart design or innovation, it's important to start with the ultimate objectives of a building in the first place. First, to provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment for occupants, and second, to promote the occupants' well-being. Some common characteristics of occupant-centric buildings include: 

- The ability to reach and engage their occupants: This creates a better overall building experience.

- Use of data analytics or big data to improve the well-being and comfort of occupants: Collecting building data allows for predictive and better informed decisions. Examples include - better controls for temperature, lighting and energy efficiency. The flood gate for collecting building data is wide open and ever so affordable using lower-cost sensors, mobile apps and cloud-based systems.

- A more personal approach: Occupant centric building operators understand their tenant mix and provide a more personalized approach to meet their specific workplace needs. Common areas providing more natural light, open spaces with high ceilings and, space designs that cater to the specific user workplace models help define and shape building ambiance.      

- Technology: Occupant centric building owners use technology, design and innovation as enablers to differentiate and prioritize on what matters most for a better human experience. 

- Higher Value: Occupant centric buildings are normally valued higher than comparable buildings because they offer superior services and amenities catered to the occupants - at lower cost with greater efficiencies. This normally equates to higher rents, tenant retention and improved net operating incomes.  

Image courtesy of WebUrbanist