WELCOME BACK 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.
In the world of commercial real estate and smart building implementation, the path of least resistance often starts with a list of products.
A vendor submits an AV package. A consultant suggests a suite of sensors. A platform provider pitches their pre-configured dashboard.
And just like that, a project is rolling forward—anchored not in strategy, but in specs.
At Layer 10, we believe that kind of thinking is backward.
Project success doesn’t start with equipment. It starts with clarity.
Reframing What Success Actually Means
When you measure success by what gets installed, you limit the value your building can deliver.
Instead, smart building success should be measured by outcomes like:
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Fewer tenant complaints and service tickets
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Increased operational efficiency
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Better space utilization
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Higher retention and tenant satisfaction
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Clear, reportable ROI
None of those outcomes require a specific brand or device. But they do require asking the right questions at the start.
What does success feel like for the people who will use this space?
That question changes everything.
An Example: The Office Build
Imagine a new office build. The initial technology recommendation includes smart lighting, access control, and a workplace A/V package. Standard stuff.
But when we ask the client what a great day looks like for their employees, they don’t mention any of that.
Instead, they say:
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People find rooms quickly
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Meetings start on time
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Nobody needs to call IT
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Spaces feel clean, open, and responsive
So we adjust the technology plan:
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Layer in space reservation and wayfinding
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Choose A/V that integrates with their calendar system
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Add occupancy sensors tied to janitorial scheduling
The budget stays the same. The outcome is transformed.
Outcomes Are the Anchor
When you anchor your plan to human-centered outcomes instead of hardware lists, you gain:
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Clarity: Everyone—from developers to integrators—knows what success looks like
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Alignment: Stakeholders stay focused on shared goals, not competing product preferences
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Resilience: Systems can evolve because they’re not hardwired to one product’s ecosystem
Why This Matters Now
Too many smart building projects underperform because they were built around features, not outcomes.
As technology gets more complex, the real competitive advantage is clarity of intent.
At Layer 10, we guide clients through a design-first, outcome-driven planning process that ensures every decision maps back to how people will use and feel in the space.
We don’t sell gear. We deliver experiences.
Ready to Design for Results?
If you’re tired of tech plans that miss the mark, we should talk.
📩 Start with a discovery call here.
🎯 Learn our full approach in the upcoming Build Smarter Challenge or attend our next LinkedIn Live Masterclass: “Designing Smarter Buildings: A Technology Strategy for CRE Professionals”.