Welcome to Build Smarter Weekly, a special edition series from the Building Tomorrow newsletter.
In this series, we tackle the common mistakes, missed opportunities, and mindset shifts that make the difference between tech-filled buildings and truly future-ready environments. Whether you’re a developer, architect, GC, or building operator, these insights are designed to help you lead smarter, more aligned, and more impactful projects from day one.
The Most Dangerous Words in CRE Projects: “We’ll Deal with Tech Later”
In commercial real estate development, there’s a phrase that derails more projects than budget cuts, bad weather, and permit delays combined:
“We’ll deal with the technology later.”
It sounds harmless. Strategic, even. Like there’s a time and place for everything.
But here’s the reality: pushing technology decisions to the end of the project doesn’t buy you time or flexibility. It buys you complexity, rework, and cost.
When technology is treated as an afterthought, it becomes a problem to solve instead of a value to design around. That single decision can:
- Trigger costly rework during buildout
- Force retrofits that compromise design intent
- Lead to fragmented systems that don’t talk to each other
- Reduce your asset’s long-term value
- Frustrate tenants and operators
At Layer 10, we believe there’s a better way.
“When you treat technology like architecture—not equipment—you unlock smarter, more profitable projects.”
—Ken Wilkinson, Founder, Layer 10
The Technology Myth That Needs to Die
Many teams still operate with an outdated mindset:
- Architecture and design happens first.
- Construction documents follow.
- Then, near the end, IT and building technology get plugged in.
But buildings aren’t static anymore. They’re dynamic environments that depend on technology to drive nearly every core function:
- Access control
- Connectivity
- Audio/visual systems
- Lighting and climate control
- Security and monitoring
- Tenant experience platforms
None of these systems should be bolted on. They should be built in.
Tech Delayed = Cost Multiplied
Every month you delay tech planning increases your cost and decreases your options. Last-minute tech decisions often:
- Conflict with other trades
- Require design revisions
- Add change orders
- Miss key opportunities to optimize layout and performance
Worst of all? You spend more and get less.
Smart systems only work when they’re integrated—physically, digitally, and strategically.
Design First. Tech Second. Always.
Our perspective is simple: technology belongs in the design phase.
We work alongside architects, engineers, and owners from Day 1 to ensure that tech strategy is aligned with:
- Project goals
- User experience
- Budget constraints
- Long-term operational needs
This early collaboration leads to:
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Improved team communication
- More efficient deployment timelines
- Stronger stakeholder alignment
The result? Smarter buildings that feel effortless to operate and exceptional to inhabit.
The Question That Changes Everything
If you’re leading a CRE project, ask this at your next kickoff meeting:
“When—and how—are we integrating technology into our design process?”
If the answer is “later,” it’s already too late.
Because in smart building development, timing is everything.
Let’s build smarter, today.
Are You Ready to Build Smarter?
If today’s insight struck a chord, you’ll love what we cover inside the Build Smarter Challenge—a 5-day live training where we go deeper into the strategy, structure, and stakeholder alignment behind successful tech-integrated projects.
This isn’t another webinar—it’s a framework that changes the way you lead.
👉 Learn more and save your seat here.
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