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 If we don’t pivot now, we’ll be no better than utilities clinging to outdated models while the world burns—literally and figuratively.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 We’ve optimized servers and data centers, yet we still rely on brittle, outdated electrical grids.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. DATA ON YOUR OWN DEVICE: When Data Checks In, But Can Never Leave  The Mirage of Interoperability In the evolving landscape of digital twins and smart cities, a critical issue often lurks beneath the surface: the illusion of interoperability. "A lot of vendors are presenting their systems as interoperable when, in fact, they're not. They're only interoperable within their own ecosystem." Amir Hirsch made this statement in the thought-provoking podcast on Smart City Networks, succinctly capturing a widespread challenge in our journey towards truly smart cities. In other words, they are closed. Just Prisoners in the Hotel: The Lock-In Dilemma It's a common scenario: a vendor promises a solution that seems to play well with others, but in reality, it's designed to keep you within their ecosystem – a digital version of 'Hotel California' where we are all just prisoners here of our own device. This proprietary approach stifles innovation and burdens cities with systems that can't adapt to changing needs or integrate new, more efficient technologies. Digital Twins: Beyond Pipes and Pumps My work focuses on BIM and digital twins as replicas of physical assets and as complex systems encompassing tangible and intangible elements. Take, for example, a city's water system. It's not just about pipes and pumps; it's also about regulations, usage patterns, and environmental impact. Digital twins must allow these multifaceted aspects to enhance decision-making and asset management. Governance for Open Solutions Cities and owners hold significant power in their procurement decisions. Demand real interoperability and open standards and make these non-negotiable parts of contracts with vendors. Cities can steer the market towards more open, adaptable solutions. It's about setting the rules of the game in favor of long-term flexibility and public good. BIM and Digital Twins at NIBS As part of the BIM and Digital Twins subcommittee for the National Institute of Building Sciences, I'm involved in crafting a position paper that delves deeper into these issues. This upcoming paper aims to provide actionable insights and guidelines to navigate the complexities of digital twins in smart city environments. Be on the lookout for this draft this Spring 2024. Past Insights to Present Realities In a recent post titled Building Hallucinations, we discussed the transformative yet challenging world of AI in the AECO industry. The journey from AI-induced 'hallucinations' to informed decisions mirrors our current need for interoperability in digital twins. Just as we recognized the need to navigate through the fog of misleading AI promises to reach informed, data-driven decisions, we now face a similar challenge in escaping the 'Hotel California' of proprietary systems. This pursuit of openness and clarity in AI and digital twins underscores our industry's commitment to innovation grounded in reality, not illusion. Breaking Free: The Imperative of True Interoperability Revisiting the initial quote, it's clear that true interoperability is more than a vendor's promise; it's a foundational requirement for sustainable, informed environments. For a deeper dive into these topics, I invite you to follow past and upcoming events at: Enjoy the music! Harnessing Proven Technology Strategies to Sidestep the Kodak Fate in the AECO Industry  Last month, I opened a discussion on our industry's 'Kodak Moment' with AI – a critical point where embracing advanced technology is not just an option but a necessity. The conversations that followed revealed a shared recognition of our industry's challenges, particularly in making informed decisions with the knowledge we already have.
I will expand this narrative with a new series titled "From Hallucinations to Informed Decisions." This isn't just about AI's shortcomings or capabilities; it's about addressing a more profound, pre-existing challenge in the AECO industry – the struggle with accessing and utilizing high-quality data for decision-making. In this series, we will explore:
AI is not a magic bullet. It's an enabler, a powerful one, but its efficacy is directly tied to the quality of data it's fed. Our industry's move towards more informed decisions hinges on this crucial aspect. We must remember that our exploration of AI in the AECO industry is ongoing and dynamic. To further this discussion, I invite you to join me at an upcoming webinar hosted by the National Institute of Building Sciences: "The Intersection of AI and Building Sciences: A New Era of Intelligent Infrastructure," scheduled for January 25th. This webinar will delve deeper into the topics we've discussed and explore the future of AI in our industry. Following the webinar, participate in the weekly Asset Leadership Network discussion, where we'll have a chance to debrief and continue the conversation. Kimon Onuma, FAIA The Kodak Moment with AI In a world where technology advances at breakneck speed, the building industry has often lagged, especially when juxtaposed with sectors like manufacturing. While others have embraced change, the building industry is content with the status quo. Reports from McKinsey and others paint a picture of an industry at the bottom of the pack regarding technological maturity. What was once a technical discussion relegated to technologists has become a strategic business imperative fueled by leadership because Artificial Intelligence allows the industry to improve productivity and profitability dramatically.
Challenges and Roadblocks Fragmentation, competition, and a lack of unified standards have long been the Achilles' heel of the building industry. The development of Building Information Modeling (BIM) exemplifies these struggles. Despite its potential, BIM has faced a decades-long journey toward widespread acceptance, hindered by perceived complexities, implementation costs, and lack of governance. This sector, crucial to our everyday lives, has a significant environmental impact and has yet to mature. These factors have impeded progress and stifled innovation, keeping the industry several steps behind its technological potential. A Pandemic-Induced Paradigm Shift The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has been a harsh but necessary wake-up call. Cities like San Francisco and Washington, DC, have transformed, with once-bustling offices now empty. This new reality has left owners and operators grappling with vast expanses of unused space, directly hitting their bottom lines. This shift has altered cityscapes and forced a rethink of how we use and value our built environment. The Artificial Intelligence Jolt In this landscape of uncertainty and change, artificial intelligence has emerged as a beacon of hope. 92% of Fortune 500 companies are already using ChatGPT and AI. This mirrors a broader trend across industries, where AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day tool driving business strategies. Real estate is beginning to realize the untapped potential in its vast data reserves. This awakening has reached corporate leadership, with C-suite executives demanding data readiness for AI integration. This is the best reason in decades to bring data standards, architecture, and governance to the forefront. Ironically, humans need quality data to make decisions, but what we could not achieve in decades only took a few months for AI to drive that need home. What was once a discussion relegated to technologists has become a strategic business imperative fueled by leadership demands. Leadership Opportunity This is a building industry company's "Kodak Moment." The cautionary tale of Kodak, which missed its chance to lead the digital revolution, is a stark reminder of what's at stake. We stand at a pivotal juncture where embracing AI can catapult a company into a new era of innovation and efficiency if organizational top leaders acknowledge it. At the recent Coretech Buildings AI conference in Palo Alto, CA, we heard that organizations must "snap out" of complacency and respond. It's not just about adopting AI; it's about revolutionizing the approach to data, standards, and collaboration. We must not use fear of AI or hallucinations to cloud our resolve to change; that is so early in 2023! Data as an Asset for Humans and AI As leaders navigate this Kodak moment, their choices will shape the building industry's future. Will we adapt and thrive in the age of AI, or will we fear the future and cling to outdated practices and be left behind? The rise of AI in managing the lifecycle of facilities is not just a possibility—it's a necessity. We need open data, standards, data governance, and a collective push toward innovation. This is a call to action for the entire industry: rapidly pivoting, adapting, and leading in this new digital era. If we do not, who will? Maybe AI? The question is not if the building industry companies will evolve with AI but which companies will survive and fade into obscurity. Our proactive engagement in this transformation will dictate our place in the future landscape. BIMStorm AI Join us in upcoming BIMStorm sessions for insights and practical strategies into BIM, Digital Twins, and AI. Kimon Onuma, FAIA  Over the centuries, architecture has been an interplay of artistry and technology. From Brunelleschi's rediscovery of linear perspective that revolutionized our understanding of space to the advent of CAD and BIM, we've seen our field morph and adapt with technology. Today, our challenge lies in bridging Architectural Intelligence with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create informed, resilient environments that respond to evolving human and ecological needs. Our cities and buildings are becoming increasingly complex, and AI can be a mechanism to help guide and navigate through the complexity. Yet, as with any technological innovation, apprehensions abound. Some fear the 'death of drawing,' a concern echoed by David Ross Scheer in his thought-provoking "The Death of Drawing: Architecture in the Age of Simulation." Others fear the more drastic 'death of architecture.' However, as Brunelleschi's discovery didn't result in the 'death' of 2D representation, the transition to dynamic simulations and AI doesn't signify the end of architecture but a transformative phase. Avoiding the feared 'death of architecture' isn't about resisting AI but understanding and proactively integrating it into our processes. AI is not a replacement for human architects but a tool that can augment our capabilities, freeing us from repetitive tasks to focus on design and innovation. AI can help us navigate the flood of data produced during building design, construction, and operation, leading to more informed and effective decisions. At the recently concluded AIA conference, A'23, in San Francisco, I observed a disappointing scarcity of sessions dedicated to AI's role in architecture. This shows a clear gap between the rapid advancement of technology and its adoption in our field. We must address this gap through continuous learning and proactive discussions. In this spirit, I presented in a webinar parallel to A'23, hosted by USC for the BIM BOP, titled "BIMStorm Ai: AIA, a Charrette for Architects and Machines." The session focused on exploring the collaboration between architects and AI, which needs more attention in our industry.  Midjourney Generated Image In our journey through this era of rapid technological change, it's vital to recognize the double-edged nature of AI. While it has the potential to revolutionize our practice by enhancing our designs and contributing to the creation of enduring built environments, unregulated or uninformed use of AI could pose a threat not only to our profession but to humanity at large.
These fears are not unfounded. Voices from within the media and AI development circles have been raising valid concerns about the potential misuse of AI. We, as architects, must not overlook these warnings. AI is a powerful tool, and like all tools, its impact hinges on how it is wielded. In the architecture domain—encompassing buildings, cities, and infrastructure—it is our responsibility to integrate AI and guide its use positively and ethically. This task goes beyond merely supporting our practice and industry. It's about stewardship, about using our expertise to ensure that AI serves the public good and contributes to human-centered, sustainably built environments. Failure to proactively define the use of AI in architecture could result in a passive acceptance of a future defined by those outside our profession—a lot that might not align with our values or the needs of society. The future of architecture, and indeed of our cities and communities, relies on our willingness to engage with AI, understand its implications, and guide its deployment to ensure a harmonious, sustainable, and human-focused built environment. Let's regard this not as a burden but as an opportunity to shape a better future. I invite you to join in this journey to learn, innovate, and chart a course forward in tandem with technology. Together, we can ensure that AI is a constructive tool rather than a destructive force in architecture. As always, I welcome your thoughts, experiences, and participation in the ongoing BIMStorm AI. Kimon Onuma, FAIA Kimon Onuma Instructs DC Asset Management Lab at the University of the District of Columbia Public Presentation in person and online Thursday 8 August 2019 at 11:30 am Eastern. Washington, D.C. – 2 August 2019 – Kimon Onuma, FAIA, President of ONUMA, Inc. and BIMStorm Founder, has been the asset visualization instructor at the D.C. Asset Management Lab at the University of the District of Columbia. The Lab is a Continuing Education program for municipal executives and managers interested in using the ISO 55000 asset management system as a guide for creating web-based visual assets using secure, open-standards to share data in real-time. This approach enables clear data management for the entire life cycle of assets from strategic planning to disposition and for as long as the data is useful. D.C. Government provides an asset management problem to address. The Lab explores multiple ways to address the issues involved. Executives and managers will understand ways to use contemporary methods to disrupt . . . and resolve . . . business as usual using federally proven tools and processes. Mr. Onuma has long been known as an award-winning provider of achievable, advanced approaches to solving business issues. The DC Asset Management Lab at the University of the District of Columbia allows Mr. Onuma to work with Jim Dieter, CEO of the Asset Leadership Network and President of the AIM 4 Asset Management System (AIM4AMS). Working together, the instructors offer a repeatable path to improved asset management. This fresh take on the award-winning BIMStorm will have a Public Presentation on Thursday 8 August at 11:30 am Eastern and will be broadcast in a webinar here.  Visual building reports can generate the source data for referral during future assessments. Also, existing assessment data can be used to generate visual reports that help to easily identify anomalies.
 The world lives on platforms. Our devices communicate to social media, maps, Amazon, location services, Apple, Google and other apps. We interact with the built environment around us in unprecedented ways. The gaping hole in the world of platforms is architecture. As architects, we have the desire to serve society, make a safer and more sustainable future, and use great design to change the world. We have the knowledge and problem solving skills to lead complex teams of stakeholders and consultants who weigh in on countless decisions. We understand the needs of facility managers who take stewardship of our creations and maintain its sound existence for generations to come. We painfully understand the need to better communicate the building design and construction information with people involved in the project. Yet we are stuck operating as if all decisions are unilaterally made by the single, heroic, visionary architect. What we do not have is “Architecture as a Platform©” to cut through current stovepipes. Our projects are very inwardly focused, single use, document centric, little BIM centered masterpieces that have a very hard time plugging into each other and the world. Once we finish the design and the construction is complete, others move in to scan and catalogue the end result of our creations to harvest the data and help them plug into the world’s platforms. This can and must change. Although technologies exist to make this happen, it is not only about the technology but a process change and the will and courage to make this happen. Our current contracting language and stance of “owning” our designs and document as the secret sauce of the buildings we design is seriously flawed and damaging to the profession and society. It is time to flip this around and enable a platform for architecture. Competing on how much time it takes to produce a set of documents is not a formula for the digital age and an architecture platform.  Platform for civilization Classical Greece built a civilization on a platform of architecture, arts, humanities, and politics that supported and changed society forever. They were limited to the medium they had at the time, and excelled. Today we have amazing technologies just waiting to be applied to architecture but not much has really changed for over 2,000 years. The status quo is to wait for others to do it. This is dangerous for the profession. Ancient Greeks built platforms. So should we. It isn’t necessary to start from scratch. The Internet is ready to be used as the platform for architecture. The profession needs to step forward and create the platform for architecture to extend to engineers, owners, operators, emergency responders, cities and citizens. Yes, we will need to share more information and knowledge. Yes, this could be threatening. But it is not an all or nothing proposition. The concept of radical transparency can be combined with protection of intellectual property and increasing business opportunities. Once off an isolated island, the chances of connecting to business opportunities dramatically increases while helping civilization to move forward.  Greek data |
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