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Trustek's 2024 Building Technology Audit: Year-on-Year Insights and Key Trends
As we reflect on the outcomes of Trustek's 2024 Building Technology Audits, the data reveals a story of progress, persistent challenges, and emerging trends in commercial real estate technology. Comparing this year’s findings to our 2023 audit highlights areas of notable improvement as well as opportunities for growth, particularly as asset managers and landlords seek to adapt to evolving ESG priorities, tenant expectations, and operational efficiencies.
Key Highlights from Trustek’s 2024 Audits
- Improvement from Re-Audits: Average score improved by 8%, showcasing tangible progress across the year.
- Total Area Audited: 2.1 million sq ft (average building size: 145,000 sq ft)
- Floors Audited: 123
- Re-Audit Total Area: 1,195,933 sq ft
- Average Audit Score: 22
- Highest Audit Score Achieved: 41 (Previous year - 36)
These headline statistics reflect the growing recognition among building operators and landlords of the need for continual investment in building technology and data-led improvements.
Building Improvements: Re-Audits Drive Tangible Results
A key takeaway from this year’s audits is the success of the re-audit process. Buildings that underwent a second audit in 2024 saw an 8% average increase in their scores. This demonstrates that landlords and operators are responding positively to our recommendations, implementing meaningful improvements that drive building performance.
Key Trends in 2024
1. ESG Platforms: Strong Adoption
- 69% of audited buildings now have an ESG reporting platform in place, a significant jump from just 5% in 2023.
- This upward trend reflects a growing commitment to data-driven sustainability reporting and the need to meet investor, regulatory, and tenant demands for greater transparency.
2. Access Control Systems: A Foundational Priority
- 96% of buildings now have an access control system, up from 85% in 2023.
- Mobile-enabled access control adoption also rose to 45%, showing room for further growth as the industry modernises and implements user-friendly security solutions. But still a lot of room for growth.
- As security is foundational in the Maslow hierarchy of building needs, this reflects a proactive approach to ensuring safety while future-proofing assets.
3. CAFM and BMS Systems: Steady Progress
- 96% of buildings now utilise a Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system, slightly down from 100% in previous years.
- Similarly, 96% of assets have Building Management Systems (BMS) in place, reinforcing their role as the backbone of building control networks.
4. Smart Metering: A Significant Leap Forward
- 80% of assets now utilise Automatic Meter Reading Systems (AMRS), a sharp contrast to 49% in 2023 where manual meter reads were prevalent.
- This improvement highlights the growing emphasis on accurate, automated energy data collection as landlords address energy efficiency and reporting requirements.
5. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Monitoring: A Persistent Gap
- Only 16% of buildings are actively tracking indoor air quality (IAQ) data.
- Despite increasing attention to wellness and healthy workplaces, IAQ monitoring remains underutilised, signalling a clear opportunity for asset managers to improve occupant health and wellbeing.
6. EV Charging Infrastructure: A Continued Void
- Surprisingly, 0% of audited buildings have EV charging stations in place.
- This lack of infrastructure raises important questions: Is the absence driven by city centre locations, limited tenant demand, or broader adoption barriers? As EV usage grows, addressing this shortfall will become essential for future-ready assets.
7. Tenant Experience Platforms (TenX): A Market Steadying Trend
- Adoption of TenX platforms increased by 14% year-on-year, with 72% of assets now leveraging these tools.
- This steady adoption rate reflects a market focus on improving tenant experience, particularly as landlords aim to support the return-to-office trend and drive engagement.
8. Waste Data Collection: Granularity Still Needed
- 92% of buildings are collecting waste data; however, this is not being tracked at a granular, floor-by-floor level.
- As waste management and circular economy principles grow in importance, landlords can gain further insights by implementing detailed measurement practices.
Observations and Opportunities for 2025
While the 2024 audits highlight positive progress, the data also uncovers areas where further improvements are needed:
- Waste Tracking: More granular tracking would enhance waste reduction strategies and ESG reporting.
- Indoor Air Quality: Greater focus on IAQ data collection could improve tenant health and align buildings with wellness goals.
- Mobile Access control: Room for growth in the level of
The year-on-year improvements in ESG platforms, smart metering, and access control systems indicate that landlords and operators are embracing technology as a key driver of building performance. However, the continued gaps in IAQ and EV charging highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to building technology adoption.
Conclusion: The Value of Technology Audits
Trustek’s 2024 audit findings demonstrate that building technology audits are not just a point-in-time assessment; they are a catalyst for ongoing improvement. By identifying gaps, measuring progress, and quantifying outcomes, our audits provide asset managers and landlords with the insights they need to future-proof their portfolios.
As we look to 2025, the emphasis on ESG reporting, wellness, and operational efficiency will continue to grow. Our data reveals a market that is steadily advancing, but one where opportunities for innovation and improvement remain abundant.
For landlords, operators, and asset managers, investing in building technology audits is not just about scores—it’s about delivering buildings that meet the demands of tomorrow.
Ready to assess and improve your portfolio’s performance? Contact Trustek to schedule a building technology audit and gain actionable insights to drive your asset strategy forward.
