Top 10: Smart Buildings

Technology is increasingly shaping the future of sustainability, especially in the built environment.

Smart buildings are no longer just architectural marvels — they integrate advanced systems like AI, IoT and renewable energy to reduce carbon footprints and improve efficiency.

These intelligent structures are setting the standard for eco-friendly urban living by collecting and analysing data from sensors, devices and building systems.

Here’s a look at some of the most innovative smart buildings in the world, highlighting how modern engineering and climate tech are helping shape a more sustainable future.

10. Taipei 101

Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Owned by: Taipei Financial Center Corporation
Floor count: 101
Construction completed: 2003

As one of the tallest green buildings globally, Taipei 101 is an iconic structure that combines height with sustainability.

Achieving LEED Platinum certification, this skyscraper integrates various climate-friendly technologies, including energy-efficient lighting systems and a comprehensive smart energy management system.

It employs low-flow water fixtures and rainwater harvesting to conserve water, while its double-paned glass façade reduces solar heat gain, ensuring less reliance on air conditioning.

By balancing technological innovation with eco-conscious design, Taipei 101 serves as a model for sustainable high-rise buildings.

9. Shanghai Tower

Location: Shanghai, China
Owned by: Yeti Construction and Development
Floor count: 133
Construction completed: 2014

Shanghai Tower is a prime example of integrating smart technology for sustainability. Its advanced Central Energy Management Control System optimises energy usage across its 133 floors, reducing consumption through smart sensors that adjust environmental conditions.

The tower’s innovative design includes an ‘outer skin’ that allows natural light in while minimising the need for air conditioning. High-speed elevators and renewable energy sources, including wind turbines, contribute to its eco-friendly profile.

This 'megatall' skyscraper demonstrates how smart design can minimise environmental impact without compromising on function.

8. Torre Reforma

Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Owned by: Fondo Hexa
Floor count: 57
Construction completed: 2016

Torre Reforma in Mexico City is designed with sustainability at its core, featuring an energy-efficient glass façade that helps reduce the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning.

The tower’s smart energy management system optimises electricity use throughout the building, while its water recycling system ensures that rainwater and greywater are reused for cooling and sanitation.

These innovations have earned Torre Reforma LEED Platinum status, making it a leader in sustainable building design in Latin America. Its design not only reduces carbon emissions but also enhances occupant comfort and resource efficiency.

7. Pasona Urban Farm

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Owned by: Pasona Group
Floor count: 9
Construction completed: 2010

Tokyo’s Pasona Urban Farm takes smart building technology to new heights by integrating urban agriculture within its structure.

This innovative office building features an advanced climate control system that regulates temperature and humidity to support both office workers and the crops growing inside the building.

More than 200 species of fruits, vegetables and rice are cultivated within the facility, with harvested produce served in the building’s cafeterias.

Energy-efficient lighting systems and automatic irrigation further enhance its sustainability credentials, making it a showcase for urban farming and smart building integration.

6. City Hall

Location: London, England
Owned by: Greater London Authority
Floor count: 3
Construction completed: 2012

City Hall, formerly known as The Crystal, in London, is a global benchmark for sustainable building design.

The building’s energy-efficient systems include ground-source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels and a rainwater harvesting system, contributing to its BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating. A smart building management system, featuring more than 2,500 connected devices, monitors and adjusts the environment for optimal energy use.

With its use of renewable energy and smart automation, City Hall exemplifies how technology can be harnessed to create highly sustainable, low-impact urban spaces.

5. Bank of America Tower

Location: New York, USA
Owned by: Bank of America
Floor count: 55
Construction completed: 2009

The Bank of America Tower is an excellent example of how smart technology can be used to maximise sustainability in a commercial skyscraper.

Equipped with a state-of-the-art SolarwareTM Control System, the building automatically adjusts its blinds to optimise daylight and reduce heating and cooling needs.

The tower generates much of its own energy through on-site power generation and features water-saving measures like rainwater harvesting.

Its LEED Platinum certification underscores its commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, with the building  saving around US$3m each year in energy costs as well as increasing productivity by US$7m annually.

4. Bullitt Center

Location: Seattle, USA
Owned by: Bullitt Foundation
Floor count: 6
Construction completed: 2012

Seattle’s Bullitt Center is designed to be the greenest commercial building in the world.

This net-positive energy building generates more power than it consumes, thanks to solar panels that cover its roof. The centre also promotes sustainable transport by eliminating parking spaces and encouraging biking.

Its geothermal wells help regulate building temperature, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling.

By setting a new standard for sustainable design, the Bullitt Center showcases how smart buildings can lead the way in reducing urban carbon footprints.

3. Bosco Verticale

Location: Milan, Italy
Owned by: COIMA
Floor count: 11
Construction completed: 2012

Milan’s Bosco Verticale, or “Vertical Forest,” is a striking example of how smart architecture can be used to combat climate change.

The two residential towers feature more than 20,000 trees and plants, which help absorb carbon dioxide, provide insulation and improve air quality. The smart irrigation system uses recycled water to sustain the vegetation, while heat pump technology ensures efficient climate control.

This green building proves that sustainable design can coexist with urban development, creating habitats that are both people- and planet-friendly.

2. One Central Park

Location: Sydney, Australia
Owned by: Frasers Property
Floor count: 34 and 12
Construction completed: 2013

One Central Park in Sydney is a beacon of sustainable urban living, featuring the world’s tallest vertical garden. With more than 35,000 plants distributed across 23 green walls, the building enhances air quality and biodiversity while reducing heat.

Its innovative heliostat system uses motorised mirrors to reflect sunlight into areas that would otherwise be shaded, reducing the need for artificial lighting. A cutting-edge water recycling system further boosts the building’s eco-credentials, making it a model for smart water and energy management in high-density urban settings.

1. The Edge

Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Owned by: Edge
Floor count: 14
Construction completed: 2014

The Edge in Amsterdam is a pioneer in smart building technology and sustainability.

With a BREEAM score of 98.36%, it stands as one of the most efficient office buildings in the world. The building produces more energy than it consumes, thanks to its solar panel array and aquifer thermal energy storage system.

Inside, an ethernet-powered lighting system and 28,000 sensors adjust energy use based on real-time data. The Edge’s app even personalises workspace environments for occupants, from lighting to temperature, creating a fully optimised, energy-efficient workspace powered by smart tech.

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