Smart building, the global market grows by 12% per year

Digitalisation and a focus on sustainability are driving the transformation of the building industry. Automation, predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring systems are at the heart of this change that is revolutionising the way buildings are designed, managed and experienced. This is precisely why there is exponential growth in the sector.

According to a study by Allied Market Research, the global smart building market, which was worth EUR 68 billion in 2022, is set to exceed EUR 215 billion by 2032, with a growth rate of 216 per cent and a compound annual rate of 12.3 per cent.
"Technology is a strategic ally in making buildings smarter, safer and more sustainable," emphasises Marco De Flora, Service Director of Kone Italia and Ibérica. The integration of digital solutions makes it possible to improve energy efficiency, optimise spaces and offer increasingly personalised experiences. The spread of IoT and artificial intelligence is accelerating this change, opening up new opportunities for builders, managers and operators'.

Changes involving escalators and lifts are part of this scenario. The trend, in fact, is towards intelligent installations 'capable of dialoguing with building management systems, adapting to the flow of people and using predictive data to optimise maintenance'. "Thanks to artificial intelligence," argues De Flora, "it is possible to anticipate faults and plan targeted interventions, while IoT connectivity offers an integrated view of the building, improving safety and efficiency. The use of sustainable materials and the adoption of digital platforms also contribute to decarbonisation goals and the circular economy."

Urbanisation, the need to manage urban resources more efficiently, the development of 5G networks and 'government support for energy redevelopment projects' are the elements characterising this growth, which also affects the healthcare sector, which is increasingly moving towards 'the adoption of digital solutions to improve patient experience and facility management'. New challenges are also part of this picture. One above all is cybersecurity, without forgetting that the expansion of AI, the spread of IoT and the increase in public and private investment 'are creating fertile ground for innovation'.

As for the future, according to the study, there are eight key trends that will 'drive the evolution of the sector'. These range from advanced automation for energy control to artificial intelligence for autonomous plant management, continuing with the widespread diffusion of IoT, sustainable and circular materials, smart lifts and connected vertical mobility, 5G connectivity, integrated cybersecurity and the technological modernisation of the existing building stock.