Smart Office — Business Bay
Occupancy-driven lighting and HVAC automation for a 400 m² fintech office, reducing energy costs by 28%.
The essentials
- 28% reduction in monthly electricity compared to pre-automation baseline
- Meeting rooms auto-adjust lighting and temperature when booked
- Access control integrated with HR system for automatic provisioning
- Deployed in 6 weeks with minimal disruption to daily operations
Project overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Client | Fintech Startup (anonymised) |
Area | Business Bay, Dubai |
Property type | 400 m² open-plan office |
Timeline | 6 weeks |
Customer objectives
Objective 1
Reduce utility bill without impacting employee comfort
Objective 2
Automate meeting rooms based on calendar booking
Objective 3
Centralise access control with HR integration
Existing conditions
Existing conditions
- Standard ceiling panels with separate switches per zone
- Central AHU with VAV boxes, basic thermostat per zone
- Standalone access card system not linked to HR
Key challenges
Key challenges
- Open-plan layout required careful occupancy sensor placement to avoid false triggers
- AHU integration needed coordination with building management
- HR API required custom middleware for real-time badge provisioning
Engineering analysis
Site survey mapped traffic flows; engineering placed ceiling occupancy sensors at 4 m intervals. VAV setpoint control was achieved via BACnet; access controller integrated via REST API middleware.
Solution architecture
Edge server running Home Assistant connects to ceiling occupancy sensors (Zigbee), BACnet gateway for VAV boxes, and REST middleware for access control. Microsoft 365 calendar integration triggers meeting-room presets.
Technologies used
Technologies used
Core platforms and technologies.- Home Assistant· Central automation
- Zigbee· Occupancy sensors
- BACnet· HVAC VAV control
- REST API· Access control + HR
Protocols used
Communication protocols actually deployed.- Zigbee
- BACnet/IP
- REST
- OAuth 2.0
Products & equipment
Before & after
| Feature | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
State | Manual switches, fixed thermostat schedules, manual badge provisioning. | Auto-off empty zones, calendar-driven meeting rooms, real-time HR badge sync. |
Project timeline
How it works
Week 1–2
Survey, BACnet point discovery, sensor placement plan.
Week 3–4
Sensor install, BACnet gateway commissioning, access middleware build.
Week 5–6
Scene programming, calendar integration, staff training.
Project statistics
ROI summary
Sustainability metrics
Sustainability metrics
- Unoccupied zones auto-setback reduced cooling hours by 35%
- Daylight harvesting dims perimeter lights by up to 60%
Key engineering decisions
Ceiling vs desk-mounted sensors
Ceiling sensors cover larger zones and avoid tampering. — Trade-off: Higher install cost per unit.
Risk register
| Feature | Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
False occupancy from HVAC airflow | False occupancy from HVAC airflow | Medium | Low | Adjusted sensor sensitivity and placement angle. |
Lessons learned
Lessons learned
- BACnet point schedules can conflict with automation; coordinate with building FM
- HR API rate limits required caching layer
Customer outcomes
Outcome 1
Lights and AC off within 5 minutes of last person leaving a zone
Outcome 2
Meeting rooms pre-cooled and lit 10 minutes before booked start
Outcome 3
New hires receive badge access automatically on start date
Future expansion opportunities
Future expansion opportunities
- Add air-quality monitoring and demand-controlled ventilation
- Integrate desk booking with lighting personalisation
Project Intelligence Score (internal)
Internal analytics only.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Did building management need to approve the BACnet integration?
Yes — we coordinated with the building's FM contractor to ensure no conflicts.
Can employees override the automation?
Yes — manual switches still work and automation resumes after a timeout.
Smart Citizens Engineering. "Smart Office — Business Bay." Smart Citizens, 2026-07-08. https://ai.smartcitizens.ae/case-studies/story/business-bay-smart-office.
Smart Citizens Engineering (2026). Smart Office — Business Bay. Smart Citizens. Retrieved 2026-07-23, from https://ai.smartcitizens.ae/case-studies/story/business-bay-smart-office
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