Great Portland Estates’ The Hickman achieves WiredScore’s SmartScore ‘Platinum’ rating, the first awarded globally

WiredScore launched SmartScore, the certification for smart buildings, in April 2021. Providing a global standard, SmartScore identifies best in class smart buildings that deliver an exceptional user experience, drive cost efficiency, meet high standards of sustainability and are fully future-proof.

A SmartScore Platinum building demonstrates cutting edge innovation with the use of market leading technology, processes and automation to deliver world class outcomes to all users of the building and creating the most efficient, inspirational, sustainable and future proofed building. To achieve the rating, owners have to demonstrate that the building has enhanced functionality as well as a technological foundation that makes it future proof.

At The Hickman, enhanced functionality is provided through sesame™, GPE’s award-winning smart workplace app, which allows building users to make more of every day. The smart functionality starts before staff leave home, enabling them to book desks, check the building’s air quality and access up-to-date transport data to avoid busy train times.

On their journey they can use the app to read over 150 different magazines and news titles and on arrival at the building utilise hands free access to get into the building, pick up a pre-ordered coffee from the Makers café in the reception area before getting to their desk. Once at their desk they can use the app’s environmental controls over lighting and temperature, to improve their working environment and productivity. The app also features a concierge service and connects with local lifestyle offers and amenities, allowing people to use gyms, local shops or enjoy the huge variety of London’s nightlife.

The technological foundation of the building is provided by the creation of a digital twin, a virtual replica of the building. At The Hickman, GPE have taken the digital model used during construction and connected it to the building’s management system. When combined with occupancy sensors, the data from the digital twin allows GPE to work with occupiers to optimize the use of the building to help reduce operational energy and allow GPE to meet its ambitious sustainability target to be a net zero carbon business by 2030.

Working with occupiers in this way helps to maintain high levels of employee satisfaction to ensure employee wellbeing and improve their working environment. In time, GPE will use machine learning to predict failures before they occur and feed this knowledge into GPE’s ongoing development pipeline.

James Pellatt Director of Workplace and Innovation said: “The SmartScore Platinum rating demonstrates our vision of continuous innovation to enhance the occupier workplace experience. The combination of the digital twin to optimise operational energy, together with the integration of sesame™ means that occupiers and their staff enjoy a sustainable and productive workplace.”

Tom McClellan Country Director, UK & Ireland, WiredScore, added: “Improving and enhancing buildings to meet the ever-changing landscape of the real estate industry is a significant challenge. In achieving the first SmartScore Platinum rating globally, the highest possible rating for the SmartScore certification, Great Portland Estates has demonstrated its commitment to a more sustainable, digitally sound future, with technology at its heart. As a result, tenants of The Hickman will be among the first in the world to profit from a truly smart building which will deliver an exceptional end-user experience.”