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.
Why Smart Building Projects Break Down—and How the Right Process Brings Them Back on Track
In commercial real estate and smart building development, misalignment isn’t just frustrating—it’s expensive. We’ve seen it time and again: teams jump to product selection before the strategy is clear. Infrastructure is treated as an afterthought. Stakeholders are out of sync, and the result is chaos disguised as progress.
At Layer 10, we’ve developed a methodology that brings clarity to complexity. It’s called
DSDS: Design → Select → Deploy → Support
It’s more than a checklist. It’s a strategic sequence that moves your project from guesswork to precision, from isolated decisions to integrated systems, from short-term installs to long-term success.
Let’s break it down with a realistic scenario.
The Scenario: The Mixed-Use Maze
A developer is building a new 250,000 sq. ft. mixed-use property. It includes residential units, co-working spaces, ground-floor retail, and amenity zones. Everyone agrees the building should be “smart.”
But what does that mean?
- One team wants access control tied to mobile devices.
- Another wants energy optimization.
- The leasing agent wants a slick tenant experience app.
- And IT hasn’t even been invited to the table yet.
The vision is exciting. The process is missing.
Phase 1: Design
We begin by asking: “What should this space feel like to the people who use it?”
Before talking about products, we define:
- Stakeholder goals
- Functional requirements
- User experience expectations
- Interoperability needs
- Infrastructure constraints
In our framework, Design isn’t just architectural or aesthetic. It’s strategic. It’s about aligning the technology plan with the purpose of the building itself.
We host collaborative design sessions to bring everyone into alignment early: developers, architects, GCs, MEPs, IT, and operations.
This is where project clarity is born.
Phase 2: Select
Once we know the requirements, we evaluate solutions.
Here’s where our product-agnostic stance becomes a true advantage. We’re not pushing a vendor. We’re advocating for the right solution.
We look at:
- System compatibility
- Scalability and flexibility
- Ease of use and management
- Total cost of ownership
- Open vs. closed platforms
For this mixed-use property, that might mean:
- Smart locks that integrate across residential and commercial units
- A converged network that supports AV, Wi-Fi, and security
- Energy systems that self-optimize based on real-time occupancy
We bring order to the chaos of the smart tech marketplace.
Phase 3: Deploy
Now we build.
Because Design and Select were done intentionally, Deploy runs smoother:
- Fewer change orders
- Clear scopes of work
- Coordinated timelines
- Better communication among trades
We stay hands-on throughout deployment to reduce friction and keep integration tight.
The result?
Installers know what success looks like.
Technology works as planned.
The user experience is seamless on day one.
Phase 4: Support
Smart buildings don’t end with installation.
Our final phase ensures the building grows and adapts over time:
- User training and onboarding
- Performance tuning and optimization
- Lifecycle planning and upgrades
We help operators:
- Avoid drift and abandonment
- Stay aligned with evolving user needs
- Keep systems resilient and responsive
Support turns your smart building into a smart business asset.
Why DSDS Works
Because it’s not about the tech. It’s about the timing.
Smart building projects fall apart when teams:
- Rush to buy before they align
- Design without defining the experience
- Deploy without integration
- Turn over without a long-term plan
DSDS flips the script. It delivers:
- Greater alignment
- Better decision-making
- Lower risk
- Smoother implementation
- Higher long-term value
If you want a smart building to succeed, don’t just pick the right tools.
Follow the right process.
Want to Learn More?
Layer 10 teaches the DSDS framework as part of our Build Smarter Challenge and through our Academy courses.
Join us for a free LinkedIn Live Masterclass on May 22
Designing Smarter Buildings: A Technology Strategy for CRE Professionals