Lessons Learnt from Proptech Connect: Building a Better Future

At the heart of Proptech Connect lies one fundamental question:

How do we get better?

Better developers, designers, project managers, contractors, and asset managers—no matter the role, the goal is the same.

But how does technology help us improve? It’s not just about being the “tech expert” in the room anymore. Technology is everywhere, and understanding its applications is no longer a niche skill. But, crucially, it’s not just technology alone that makes us better at what we do. It’s how we use it collaboratively to solve real problems.

Collaboration Is Key

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the importance of collaboration. Sharing data and insights can foster meaningful change, rather than just ticking boxes. It’s about down-to-earth thinking and incremental steps forward, rather than setting lofty, unrealistic goals that lead to repeated failures.

As an architect, I see the construction industry as fragmented, and this conference only made that more apparent. We need to collaborate more and understand how our buildings function and are managed over time. Too often, we approach design as if it’s a final product, rather than a process that continues beyond handover.

The Designer’s Role in Asset Management

One of the conference’s focuses was asset management—user experience, smart buildings, sensors, and data collection. Yet, it felt like the designer’s role in this process was largely overlooked. As if, once the design is complete and handed over, the story changes entirely. There’s a disconnect between the stages of a building's life cycle, and it’s something we need to address.

The industry is becoming more nuanced, and there’s a vast amount of data to consider—especially about user behaviour. Whether it’s in retail, office spaces, or residential areas, the data shows that no single approach fits all. User needs are diverse, influenced by location, lifestyle, and even age. With consumers now having more access to information, they demand better-quality environments. But how can we meet those demands if the flow of information is disjointed and knowledge isn’t shared between stakeholders?

The Technology Paradox

We now have the tools to create digital information-rich models from the early design stages. Life cycle assessments, material passports, and CoBie data provide valuable insights. But too often, this effort and the money invested in technology ends up wasted. The data sits unused in PDFs, spreadsheets, or cloud storage, inaccessible to those managing the assets.

This raises an important question for clients, developers, and landlords: What do you want to get out of the process? How do you make technology work for you? Defining clear requirements and leveraging existing data can empower better-informed decisions. But we must first build bridges between stakeholders—designers, asset managers, and contractors—so that information can flow seamlessly, leading to better outcomes for everyone.

A Call for Integration

Imagine a future where events like Proptech Connect bring together the design team, marketing professionals, and asset managers. Together, they could create better spaces, informed by technology and driven by collaboration. It’s an aspirational vision, but one grounded in reality: the technology and the data already exist. It’s up to us to ensure we use them to their full potential, creating better products and environments for everyone involved.

The lesson here is simple: technology isn’t a silver bullet. The real power lies in how we use it to foster collaboration and understanding, ultimately delivering better-built environments for users and stakeholders alike.