It's Time to Fix Our Dumb Cities with Smarter, Open Systems
Wikimedia: Edison's Patents It’s ironic that Southern California Edison—named after one of history’s smartest inventors—keeps proving how 'dumb' our so-called smart infrastructure really is. Instead of preventing wildfires, they may have caused yet another one. Despite all the technology available today—smart grids, microgrids, predictive failure detection—utilities like SCE still rely on reactionary strategies and scramble to justify their failures instead of preventing them in the first place. The Eaton Fire, like so many before it, raises the same troubling question: why do we still accept infrastructure that isn’t actually smart? Imagine if, instead of scrambling to justify failures, utilities had real-time, open data systems feeding into public platforms like Watch Duty. Imagine if power line statuses were accessible, allowing communities to prepare instead of react. These aren’t futuristic ideas—the technology exists today. It’s just not being used. But this failure isn’t just about utilities—it’s systemic across industries. We talk about 'Smart Buildings' and 'Digital Twins', yet time and again, these systems fail in real-world crises. What’s the point of calling something 'smart' if it can’t even handle the basics? If we don’t pivot now, we’ll be no better than utilities clinging to outdated models while the world burns—literally and figuratively. The Energy Future is Here—But Our Grid is Stuck in the Past At the Design Intelligence Conference, Caroline Golin, Google's Global Head of Energy Market Development and Innovation, discussed the pressing energy demands posed by AI. She emphasized the need for innovative solutions, such as virtual power plants, to address these challenges at a local level. The emergence of DeepSeek, an open-source AI model, has further complicated the narrative. This development suggests that AI can be more efficient and less energy-intensive than previously thought (10 days ago!), challenging the assumptions that have driven our industry's approach to energy use. While AI is evolving at an unprecedented rate—becoming faster, more efficient, and less energy-intensive—our grid infrastructure is still running on century-old assumptions. We’ve optimized servers and data centers, yet we still rely on brittle, outdated electrical grids. How can we build the future of AI on infrastructure that belongs in a museum? Enough Buzzwords. It’s Time to Build Smart Infrastructure That Works. Given these developments, our industry must be prepared to pivot quickly. The only way to do this effectively is to embrace open-source solutions and avoid the pitfalls of proprietary systems, which hinder progress. This call is more relevant than ever now, that AI is permeating through everything. Open Source is the Only Way Forward—Here’s Why This is where initiatives like the Interoperable Building Box and the Coalition for Smarter Buildings come into play. As part of the Linux Foundation, these initiatives are dedicated to promoting change and “moving the cheese” to foster collaboration across the industry. We will be introducing these efforts at the upcoming AHR conference in Orlando, where the framework will be presented to emphasize the critical need for open-source and open standards.  Wikimedia: Control Center It’s Time for Utilities to Open Their Data—or Get Out of the Way Open access to real-time power line status via APIs or data feeds. If you can’t handle that, maybe you shouldn’t be handling our infrastructure at all. Community safety isn’t an inconvenience—it’s the bare minimum. Real-time power line data would allow:
This isn’t a radical ask—it’s what Interoperable Building Box and the Linux Foundation have been advocating all along: open, federated data that breaks down silos and puts safety first. Yes, planned outages are inconvenient. But wildfires that destroy entire communities are far worse. If utilities can’t balance safety and service, maybe they shouldn’t be in charge of our critical infrastructure. Join these sessions at AHR Orlando
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Wait… isn’t this what smart digital twins were built for? Lessons from a city on fire.  Wikimedia: Chicago in Flames, Currier & Ives, 1871 After weeks of destruction, disarray, and the loss of thousands of buildings, Los Angeles is finally seeing some rain this week. This contrast—the destruction of last week and the calm of this week—underscores just how vulnerable our cities and infrastructure are to nature’s extremes. As the fires die down, one question keeps haunting me: Why do our so-called smart buildings and cities fall short when we need them most? We’ve poured billions into advanced technologies for cities and buildings—Building Information Models, Building Automation Systems, LEED certifications, and decades of standards development. On paper, it seems like we’ve checked all the boxes. But when it comes to the moments that truly matter—like wildfires tearing through neighborhoods—those systems too often fail to deliver the actionable, real-time information we desperately need. The promise of cities, buildings, and infrastructure that work in harmony with our needs isn’t living up to expectations. This Is About More Than Wildfires This isn’t just about the fires in Los Angeles. Every challenge we face—hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, fires, wars, and attacks—puts the resilience of our cities and buildings to the test. In every one of these scenarios, we’re forced to confront the same question: How well do our cities and infrastructure support us in times of need, and how do we ensure they don’t become liabilities? Homes, businesses, schools, and community buildings were among the buildings lost in the fires. When disaster strikes, the absence of accurate, accessible information about these spaces further compounds the challenges. It’s not that we lack the tools or technology; the systems we’ve implemented haven’t been designed to work together effectively. Crumbling infrastructure and increased demands on disconnected, underutilized assets are unsustainable. And it’s not just the physical structures that are failing—our lack of information about the state of these assets compounds the problem. Take water and energy systems, for example. During the fires in Los Angeles, these resources acted in ways that could only be described as "dumb." Reservoirs were empty, pressure failed when it was most needed, and energy grids weren’t resilient enough to anticipate, adapt, or react effectively to the crisis. These aren’t isolated issues—they repeat themselves in disaster after disaster. Across the board, our infrastructure lacks the intelligence to predict, plan, and respond to challenges. When disasters strike, our cities and buildings must do more than just withstand the event—they must actively help us prepare, respond, adapt, and recover. Without the integration of data and smarter systems, the failures we see today aren’t just missed opportunities—they’re escalating risks that we can no longer afford to ignore. Outdated Data, Fragmented Systems, and Escalating Risks Take a look at our so-called advanced buildings. Sure, they’re efficient, and many boast sleek LEED plaques declaring their gold or platinum status. But what happens when a fire sweeps toward one of these buildings? Do they tell us what’s inside? Can they help first responders locate gas shut-off valves or identify hazardous materials? Most of the time, the answer is no. Instead, you’re lucky if you find outdated PDFs of floor plans or fragmented data scattered across systems. Consider schools, for example—places where safety and functionality are paramount. Do we have real-time insights into how these buildings operate or how to respond in a crisis? Too often, the answer is no, and the data we do have is scattered, outdated, or inaccessible when it’s needed most. And it’s not just buildings. Our cities, which we proudly label as “smart,” are riddled with the same problems. Disconnected systems, siloed data, and a lack of interoperability make them anything but intelligent when crises hit. The issue isn’t technology—it’s the failure to unlock the potential of what we already have. A Call to Owners and Governments: Get Smarter Owners and government agencies need to rethink how they approach contracts and specifications. Too often, they treat a BIM or digital twin as a single product or solution—as if there’s a magic “one digital twin” app that will solve everything. That’s not how digital twins work. Instead, they must focus on actionable outcomes and ask the right questions: What are the use cases? What data needs to be collected? How will these systems integrate into broader ecosystems? Without clear answers, contracts risk becoming vague wish lists rather than effective tools for progress. As an owner, how well are you connecting the data you already have? Or are you constantly passing around files within your own organization to share information you supposedly already possess? Do you really want to continue that inefficient pattern under the guise of an expensive digital twin lens? A digital twin isn’t about more fragmented data—it’s about creating connections, eliminating redundancy, and unlocking the potential of the systems already in place. As the largest land and building owners, government agencies have an outsized influence on the entire AECO industry. Their decisions shape not only the projects they oversee but also the standards and practices that ripple across the sector. By improving how they contract, build, and operate their assets, they can set a clear example for the industry to follow. Yet, too often, these agencies pursue shiny objects and overly ambitious plans that fail to materialize. At the same time, they fail to share enough about what works—proven standards, scalable systems, and lessons learned from failures—slowing progress for everyone. Governance and leadership must go beyond adopting new technologies. Owners and governments must prioritize secure, open standards, interoperability, and systems that connect buildings, infrastructure, and emergency response. The status quo of cautious, incremental change is no longer enough. By providing clarity, collaboration, and transparency, they can create a shared roadmap for meaningful, scalable solutions. As stewards of vast portfolios, government agencies have both the opportunity and the responsibility to demonstrate what’s possible. They can drive industry-wide change, proving that smarter, more connected systems aren’t just aspirational—they’re achievable. The AECO Industry: Time to Stand and Deliver The AECO industry must also play a vital role. We already have the tools—BIMs filled with valuable data, decades of standards, and innovative digital twin platforms. But too often, these tools aren’t fully leveraged. It’s time to stop selling the illusion that a single fancy 3D model is the answer. Digital twins aren’t just about visuals—they’re about making data accessible, actionable, and connected to the systems that need it most. Our role as designers and builders is clear: to create infrastructure that isn’t just efficient but also adaptive, responsive, and part of a larger ecosystem. The industry must move beyond marketing buzzwords and deliver systems that solve real-world problems. From Blame to Solutions: Smart Digital Twins Are Key
As the rain falls on still-smoldering fires, it’s time to ask hard questions. Why are our cities and buildings falling short of their potential? Why do we settle for systems that fail us when we need them most? And most importantly, how can we redefine our approach to create infrastructure that is truly functional, adaptive, and resilient? When disasters strike, it’s easy to point fingers—the weather, the grid, the design of buildings, unprepared owners, subpar warning systems, or outdated technology. But blame doesn’t solve problems. Instead of focusing on fault, each stakeholder must take responsibility and understand how they can contribute to the solution. Government agencies, owners, and the AECO industry all have critical roles to play, and the only way forward is through collaboration. The public is demanding action—just as they demanded useful tools like the Watch Duty app when government systems fell short. Apps like Watch Duty succeeded not because they were perfect but because they delivered clarity, actionable insights, and real value to people in moments of crisis. That same expectation for innovation, transparency, and effectiveness now extends to the way we design, operate, and manage our cities and infrastructure. This is not just an opportunity—it’s a responsibility. If we cut through the noise, focus on outcomes, and commit to working together, we can create smarter, more resilient cities and buildings that truly serve the public. Blame won’t build solutions, but collaboration will. In 2025, we are focusing BIMStorm on these critical topics, bringing together forward thinkers to collaborate on real-world solutions. If you’re ready to join the conversation and help drive meaningful change, we invite you to be part of the solution. Together, we can show that smarter, more connected systems aren’t just possible—they’re happening. Third in a series of blog posts: 1. Four Terrifying Reasons AI and Digital Twins Are Tied at the Hip 2. Yelling Fire in a Crowded City 3. Why Are Smart Buildings and Cities…Dumb? Kimon Onuma, FAIA A recognized leader in BIM and Digital Twins, Kimon has over three decades of experience Building Informed Environments. His work focuses on open standards, interoperability, and innovative lifecycle management solutions, including the ONUMA System, BIMgenie, and BIMStorm. Kimon also leads the development of industry standards, contributing to the National Institute of Building Sciences' Digital Twin Integration Subcommittee and advancing AI integration in building processes. How My Burning City Exposed the Gaps in Our Digital Twin Ecosystems
When Alerts Hallucinate: A Firsthand Look at the Gaps in Emergency Systems When you live on the edge of disaster, every alert feels like life or death. Living in Pasadena, I learned this firsthand during the LA Eaton fire. While I was fortunate to be spared, thousands of others lost their homes, businesses, and sense of safety. The fire raged on, leaving chaos in its wake—but for me, the chaos started long before the flames arrived. In the middle of the night, my iPhone (and those of 10 million other LA residents) lit up with an emergency evacuation alert: fire in my area. Heart pounding, I looked out the window, smelled smoke, and scrambled to make sense of the vague warning. Minutes passed. Another alert came, contradicting the first. These conflicting messages weren’t just confusing—they were a "hallucination" from an overloaded and malfunctioning government alert system struggling under the pressure of the crisis. A few minutes later, my panicked elderly mother called, asking if she needed to leave her home. I had no answers for her. I didn’t even know if I was safe, let alone if she was. I stood there, frozen, unsure of what to believe. Was this the moment to evacuate? Or was it another false alarm? I searched online in the middle of the night and found the Watch Duty app. It promised real-time, accurate information, and within minutes, I had more answers than the official systems could provide. Last week, I shared this experience at an American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) webinar for engineers alongside my colleagues from the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Digital Twin Integration Subcommittee. I brought up examples of how real-time, synchronized systems can provide critical situational awareness. It resonated with the ASCE audience, whose expertise spans both horizontal and vertical infrastructure. The challenges we discussed—bridging the gaps between these domains and creating connected systems—are at the heart of what we need to address. The Nimble App That Outpaced Government Systems During LA Wildfires Watch Duty is a real-time wildfire tracking app that provides hyper-local updates down to the block and even building footprints by combining a range of data sources. It draws from public information—like weather, wind patterns, air quality, and maps—and combines it with community input to create a comprehensive, real-time picture of unfolding emergencies. What makes it unique is its ability to transform fragmented, hard-to-access data into actionable insights tailored to citizens' needs. During the LA wildfires, Watch Duty’s impact became undeniable. While government alert systems struggled to keep up and often crashed under the strain, Watch Duty saw traffic surge to over 3 million users a minute. Why? Their data was more accurate, complete, and updated in real-time, far surpassing the performance of traditional systems. Citizens and first responders alike turned to Watch Duty for critical updates, making it the go-to source for wildfire information. Built incrementally based on secure, standards to address a very specific use case—helping people stay safe during wildfires—Watch Duty grew from a citizen-driven demand for clarity and accuracy during crises. It’s a powerful example of how focused, use case-driven design can make even public data, often in the wrong formats or buried in silos, work effectively to save lives. The Perfect Digital Twin Watch Duty isn’t just an app—it’s a perfect example of what a digital twin can and should be. It’s not one monolithic system trying to do everything; it’s a synchronized system of systems integrating real-time data from diverse sources to create a dynamic, living model of reality. It connects weather patterns, air quality, wind conditions, critical infrastructure, and building footprints with human input, evacuation zones, and orders, all updated in real-time, providing actionable insights for those who need them most, and it does not hallucinate like the dumb government alerts I got in the middle of the night. A digital twin is not merely a single app or system; similar to Watch Duty, it represents an open standards-based ecosystem of interconnected tools and data sources that collaborate to tackle specific challenges. This interconnected approach is what renders it powerful, adaptable, and relevant, especially in high-stakes situations like wildfires. This is the essence of a digital twin: a real-time, responsive ecosystem that reflects the complexities of the physical world. By focusing on a specific problem—keeping people informed and safe during wildfires—Watch Duty demonstrates the power of a multi-source, interoperable approach. It reminds us that the most effective digital twins aren’t about creating one “perfect” system but about connecting many systems to work together in harmony. When Smart Buildings Stay Silent: A Wake-Up Call As impressive as Watch Duty is, using the app also revealed a glaring gap: the building outlines it shows are just that—outlines. There’s no deeper information about the infrastructure, assets, building systems, or buildings themselves. For something as critical as responding to a wildfire, this is a major shortcoming. Buildings are often treated as silent black boxes in the digital landscape, disconnected from the real-time data ecosystem. This needs to change. Watching first responders walk into burning buildings without knowing what was inside brought back an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. It was the same feeling I had watching 9/11 unfold, seeing firefighters climb the Twin Towers with limited knowledge of what awaited them. Decades later, the story hasn’t changed—it’s only gotten worse. Our buildings are still silent when it matters most. Imagine you’re a firefighter arriving at a building on the edge of a wildfire. You pull up a map and see the building footprint, but that’s all you have—no details about what’s inside, no locations of hazardous materials, gas shut-off valves, structural systems, or fire suppression systems. If you’re lucky, you might have outdated floor plans as PDFs or scattered bits of other data, but nothing comprehensive or reliable. This lack of information wastes precious time, puts lives at greater risk, and makes an already dangerous situation even more perilous. This gap isn’t just a challenge for first responders—it’s a challenge for the entire AECO (architecture, engineering, construction, and operations) industry, for owners, and for governments. The systems we’ve built to manage our infrastructure aren’t interoperable, and the data we have about our buildings is fragmented or outdated. We’ve invested in creating smarter cities and digital tools, but when push comes to shove, these systems often fail to work together in the moments we need them most. The AECO industry has a unique responsibility here. As designers and builders of the physical world, we must stop declaring we have “smart buildings” simply because they boast a static LEED plaque that says they’re gold or platinum. A plaque doesn’t make a building smart—it makes it a snapshot in time. Instead, we need to rethink how we treat buildings, moving beyond static, isolated objects to integrating them into a broader digital twin ecosystem. This ecosystem—a system of systems—must connect real-time data about buildings and infrastructure with the needs of those who interact with them. Owners and government agencies must also step up, demanding open standards and prioritizing the integration of building data into actionable, interoperable systems. Only then can we begin to build buildings and infrastructure that are truly dynamic, intelligent, and capable of responding to the complex challenges of the modern world. Why Are Smart Buildings and Cities So Dumb? Wait… isn’t this what smart digital twins were built for? Lessons from a city on fire. It’s a little embarrassing, isn’t it? All this technology, all these promises of connected systems—and yet, we’re still struggling with the basics. Let’s dig into this problem in the next post and figure out why our “smart” solutions often fail to live up to their name—and, more importantly, how we can make them truly intelligent, functional, and ready for the challenges ahead. Stay tuned for "Why Are Our Smart Buildings and Cities So Dumb?" Second in a series of blog posts: 1. Four Terrifying Reasons AI and Digital Twins Are Tied at the Hip 2. Yelling Fire in a Crowded City 3. Why Are Smart Buildings and Cities…Dumb?  Kimon Onuma, FAIA
A recognized leader in BIM and Digital Twins, Kimon has over three decades of experience Building Informed Environments. His work focuses on open standards, interoperability, and innovative lifecycle management solutions, including the ONUMA System, BIMgenie, and BIMStorm. Kimon also leads the development of industry standards, contributing to the National Institute of Building Sciences' Digital Twin Integration Subcommittee and advancing AI integration in building processes. Four Terrifying Reasons AI and Digital Twins Are Tied at the Hip  This isn’t just a feel-good tree-hugger challenge; it’s the future of everything—our technology, energy, and built environment depend on addressing these issues now. Her narrative solidified the 'why'—why we, as an industry, must change now. Her presentation outlined the urgent challenges ahead and set the stage for rethinking how the built and natural environment, technology, and energy systems need to work together.  Source: Masanet et al. (2020), Cisco, IEA, Goldman Sachs Research The data center power demand for 2023 is an estimate. Listening to Caroline reinforced my long-standing belief that Digital Twins are key to solving these challenges. While she masterfully outlined the problem, I saw how Digital Twins could fundamentally transform how we manage energy and infrastructure. After Caroline’s session, I presented with Paul Doherty on “Making Design Ongoing and Defensible - What’s at Stake?” and now, in this paper, we want to go even further. Her narrative solidified the 'why'—why we, as an industry, must change now. Here, we outline a bold proposal to tackle these challenges head-on: transforming buildings into Virtual Power Plants, powered by Digital Twins, to drive energy resilience. The Modern Silk Road—the worldwide network of interconnected systems and data—is at the heart of today’s geopolitical and economic landscape. Caroline’s presentation painted a picture of the immense energy challenges tied to AI, breaking them down into four distinct issues: Reason 1: Unprecedented Energy Spikes AI is valuable but comes with a cost; for example, Google’s AI systems now consume energy equivalent to the entire state of Idaho, with projections suggesting this will soon rival the energy consumption of Washington state, and it will keep climbing. Reason 2: Systemic Infrastructure Limitations As Caroline put it, Our utility grid was designed for a different era—fossil fuels, centralized power plants, and predictable demand. We simply are not ready politically, socially, and operationally for the explosive growth of AI-driven consumption. Reason 3: Disrupted Sustainability Goals As Caroline said, no amount of sustainability solutions built on the old way will solve the challenge—it’s simply not achievable. Reason 4: The Geopolitical Arms Race China trails behind the United States in AI advancements, but this is not solely an AI race—it’s a broader competition with profound implications for economic, technological, and energy security. Caroline underscored that if U.S. companies and policymakers fail to lead, not only in AI development but also in the construction of critical infrastructure like data centers, these capabilities will emerge elsewhere, most likely in China. This scenario would not only intensify global energy challenges but also shift significant geopolitical power. While Caroline’s presentation laid bare the challenges, it also highlighted a path forward: Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). In her opinion, VPPs are not just an option—they are essential. This approach integrates distributed energy resources like solar panels, smart batteries, and renewable energy systems, coordinated through advanced technology, to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving energy landscape. A Bold Proposal: Transforming Buildings into Virtual Power Plants Our proposal is to connect VPP systems via digital twins to ensure all buildings are not only energy efficient but active contributors to grid stability. Digital Twins enable real-time optimization, helping VPPs balance energy production and demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. We simply can not continue to consume energy the way we have been without implementing measures that ensure we are optimizing every bit of its use. While Caroline’s presentation laid bare the challenges, it also sparked ideas about solutions. Digital Twins—virtual replicas of physical assets—represent a critical opportunity to address the energy challenges faced by all types of facilities, not just those tied to AI. Whether it’s an office building, hospital, school, or AI-driven data center, Digital Twins are key to transforming energy consumption into optimized, efficient processes. Digital Twins enable real-time energy optimization, tracking energy use across systems and adjusting to improve efficiency. For example, during periods of high demand, information from Digital Twins can help synchronize renewable energy sources like solar and wind with grid needs, ensuring a balanced energy flow. Additionally, they facilitate system integration, breaking down silos by connecting power grids, AI-driven data centers, and other networks, creating a seamless flow of information and control. What excites us most about Digital Twins is their scalability and flexibility. They evolve with technological advancements, learning and adapting as demands change. This ability to respond dynamically makes them indispensable for tackling the challenges Caroline described, particularly at the scale required by AI’s energy trajectory.  A BIMStorm brings together an international team of owners, architects, engineers, and facility managers to tackle specific design problems using BIM and Digital Twins. This ongoing initiative, started in 2008, enables teams to collaborate online, eliminating the need for travel or large meeting spaces, and disband as quickly as they form. BIMStorm: Building Smarter, Powering ResilienceBuilding on these ideas, we propose we shift BIMStorm from a conceptual exercise to an actionable initiative. BIMStorm has tackled Microgrids in 2022 and AI-driven Facilities and Assets in 2023-2024, demonstrating how collaborative innovation can solve complex problems. This year, we take the next logical step: integrating VPPs to address energy resilience at scale. Imagine buildings generating energy on-site with solar panels or geothermal systems and storing excess energy in smart batteries. These systems, integrated with the grid via Digital Twins, could stabilize energy flows while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. By leveraging AI, BIMStorm will demonstrate how the built environment can evolve into an active energy solution rather than a passive consumer. As we face the aftermath of recent devastating fires in Los Angeles, this challenge provides an opportunity to rebuild smarter rather than repeating the same mistakes. Instead of simply replacing damaged infrastructure, we can implement smarter systems and technologies that prioritize resilience and sustainability. As architects, engineers, builders, and owners, we often celebrate LEED plaques on our buildings. While commendable, they fall short unless tied to the interconnected networks and Digital Twins that Caroline described. This is the moment to move from aspiration to action. The technology exists; we simply need the collective will to implement it. We invite all forward-thinking leaders—owners, designers, and technologists—to join us. Together, we can transform how infrastructure is designed, built, and operated to power a more resilient future. Conclusion: Caroline’s presentation left us with a stark reality: there’s no turning back from the path AI has set us on. But as terrifying as these challenges are, they also present an incredible opportunity. By tying AI and Digital Twins together, we can turn these energy crises into a catalyst for systemic change. Let’s ensure the questions we’re asking today lead us to the answers that will shape a more sustainable tomorrow. The Irony is Undeniable AI, while driving a staggering increase in energy demand, also presents the very tools we need to address the crisis it has intensified. AI forces us to rethink energy management at a pace far beyond human capability. Digital Twins, in tandem with AI, offer an actionable path forward. They empower us to achieve the level of real-time optimization, coordination, and resilience required to meet these demands sustainably. While the energy crisis feels daunting, it also serves as a powerful motivator. With AI shaping an inevitable trajectory, the choice is no longer about whether to adapt but how quickly we can mobilize the tools at our disposal to move faster than ever. By harnessing AI and Digital Twins, we can not only mitigate the challenges of today but turn this crisis into an opportunity to build a more sustainable, resilient future.
Real Owners, Real Achievements: Bridging the Gap The building industry has made remarkable strides in sustainability, driven by the collective efforts of architects, engineers, facility managers, and other stakeholders. Across the globe, advancements like LEED certifications have set benchmarks for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. Today, there are:
These projects are designed to save more than 120 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, highlighting the industry's commitment to combating climate change. But that is not enough. Despite these successes, the industry still faces significant challenges. Buildings' current deliverables and data often act as liabilities rather than assets, contributing to inefficiencies and wasted energy. Caroline’s presentation underscored this reality, emphasizing that the problems cannot be solved with incremental improvements—they require a complete digital transformation. By embracing Digital Twin technology, the industry can turn buildings into valuable, high-performing assets that drive performance, resilience, and sustainability. Digital Twins enable impressive designs to evolve into systems that actively contribute to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship, bridging the gap between aspiration and operational performance. The path forward is clear: the industry must prioritize digital transformation to unlock the full potential of the built environment. 1st in a series of blog posts: 1. Four Terrifying Reasons AI and Digital Twins Are Tied at the Hip 2. Yelling Fire in a Crowded City 3. Why Are Smart Buildings and Cities…Dumb?  Kimon Onuma, FAIA
A recognized leader in BIM and Digital Twins, Kimon has over three decades of experience Building Informed Environments. His work focuses on open standards, interoperability, and innovative lifecycle management solutions, including the ONUMA System, BIMgenie, and BIMStorm. Kimon also leads the development of industry standards, contributing to the National Institute of Building Sciences' Digital Twin Integration Subcommittee and advancing AI integration in building processes. |
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