In episode 328, host Mike Petrusky speaks with Erin McDannald, CEO at Lighting Environments, Environments by LE, and Powered by Elevated. McDannald shares her vision of a world where technology seamlessly enriches lives through a digital experience that focuses on health, wellness, communication, and building controls. The conversation also covers her perspectives on the workplace and why she believes digital infrastructure is crucial for future buildings. They then explore the role of air quality and lighting in workplace experience, and McDannald explains how companies can use data from smart buildings to optimize human health and that focusing on wellness in the workplace can lead to clearer thinking among employees.
Agenda
- Importance of smart buildings
- Role of technology in the built environment
- Significance of improving health and wellness in the workplace
What you need to know: Workplace takeaways
Takeaway 1: The future of smart buildings lies in prioritizing human health and wellness
Environmental factors, such as indoor air quality and lighting, can have a wide variety of significant impacts.
Reducing issues like lighting flicker and improving air quality can lower stress levels and ultimately enhance productivity and strategic thinking, explains McDannald.
They can also improve the bottom line. McDannald shares what she feels is likely a financial benefit her company experienced from prioritizing wellness, a reduction in health insurance costs due to fewer claims.
Takeaway 2: The integration of smart technology into building design needs to prioritize sustainability and adaptability
It’s important to integrate technology into building design in a way that ensures sustainability and adaptability.
McDannald’s concern: “I think that siloed systems right now aren’t offering enough data.”
She suggests that leveraging data from smart buildings could help companies manage buildings more effectively and create spaces that people seek out.
Takeaway 3: The importance of digital infrastructure in smart buildings
Having a robust digital infrastructure could create new opportunities as technology advances.
“A digital infrastructure for a building is the way of the future,” McDannald says.
She suggests starting with improving air quality for those feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of transitioning to smart buildings. It’s a step that doesn’t require a significant financial investment but can make a significant difference in creating a healthier and more comfortable work environment.
“I think that if you’re looking or interested in a smart building and it all seems overwhelming, start with air quality and also the infrastructure of it.”
Workplace management insights
- Smart buildings are the way of the future, with digital infrastructure allowing for new opportunities as technology advances.
- Air quality is a crucial starting point when considering the improvement of a smart building.
- The elimination of lighting flicker can reduce stress loads and promote better strategic thinking among employees.
- Data gathered from smart buildings can be used to optimize human health and wellness.
- The integration of technology into caring for workplaces presents an incredible opportunity.
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