StaffIain Gordon, MD GES Digital and KNX UK Chair, explains…
As a KNX integrator for over 20 years, I’ve had a front-row seat to the rapid evolution of smart homes and commercial buildings, as organisations and individuals seek environments that support productivity, collaboration, wellbeing and security.
The ability to work productively from home or other remote locations can be beneficial in terms of the environment, commercial space, travel time and expense, inclusion and work/life balance.
Whilst some believe that collaboration and productivity can be negatively impacted by remote working hybrid working is here to stay. Solutions will be dependent on sensible and effective approaches to the working environment wherever that may be.
KNX, as an open protocol and globally recognised standard for building automation, will play a vital role in future-proofing both commercial and residential spaces for the demands of modern and future working processes.
Smarter AV and Conferencing Solutions: From Boardrooms to Breakout Spaces
Hybrid meetings are here to stay, and that changes the expectations placed on traditional boardrooms. Employers now want flexible meeting spaces where presentations, video calls, and real-time collaboration can happen seamlessly.
This is where KNX excels. By integrating lighting, blinds, HVAC, and AV control into a single intuitive interface, creating meeting environments that automatically adapt to the use case.
Enter a boardroom, and the lighting can adjust to an optimal presentation setting. Start a video call, and blinds can lower to prevent glare while acoustic panels and ventilation respond to occupancy levels.
Crucially, KNX allows different subsystems — lighting, AV, environmental, even occupancy sensors — to communicate efficiently, without the need for multiple proprietary apps or conflicting protocols.
For facilities managers, this means fewer headaches. For users, it means consistency across rooms, and remote buildings.
High-Performance, Human-Centric Home Offices
In residential settings, the line between work and leisure is increasingly blurred. Home offices need to deliver the same (if not better) functionality as commercial workspaces — without turning homes into corporate zones.
That balance and the ability to switch from work to home mode can be achieved with smart scenes. A home office can shift from a bright, energising workspace during working hours to a softly lit reading nook in the evening. Motorised blinds can track the sun’s position to reduce eye strain and overheating. Air quality sensors can trigger ventilation or alerts, improving wellbeing without manual intervention.
Because KNX integrates with a wide range of design-led switches and interfaces, aesthetics aren’t sacrificed for function. Whatever the interior design of a person’s home, technology can be unobtrusive, tailored, and silent in its operation.
Security and Network Resilience in the Remote-Work Age
Remote work introduces a serious challenge: how do we secure our networks and building systems when users and devices are no longer concentrated in a single location?
KNX provides robust and decentralised control that helps mitigate cybersecurity risks in both commercial and residential applications.
By separating operational technology (building control systems) from IT networks and enabling encrypted communication (via KNX Secure), the attack surface is reduced dramatically. For larger organisations with hybrid policies, this is critical.
Not all remote working entails working from home, it has become increasingly common to reduce carbon footprint by collaborating across multiple sites without the time and travel required for a single operational space. Integrated monitoring can notify building managers of events in other sites for example if a temperature threshold is breached, or if motion is detected in secure areas. These alerts can be configured locally or remotely — perfect for dispersed teams managing multiple sites.
Acoustic Comfort, Environmental Control, and Ergonomics
Productivity isn’t just about software and schedules. It’s also about how we feel in a space — how well it supports concentration, collaboration, and comfort. Poor acoustics, stale air, and erratic temperatures are common complaints in both homes and offices, but the right tools can solve these issues holistically.
Smart environmental controls can maintain optimal CO₂ levels, adjust temperature and humidity automatically, and even reduce noise by integrating with active acoustic treatments. In hot-desking environments or hybrid office setups, this helps maintain consistent comfort — no matter where or when someone works.
Moreover, KNX-enabled furniture and sensors can enhance ergonomic innovation. For example, sit-stand desks can be programmed to prompt movement throughout the day. Light colour temperature can shift in line with circadian rhythms to reduce fatigue. These are not gimmicks — they are proven to increase productivity and wellbeing.
Conclusion: The Infrastructure of Flexible Work
As integrators, we are no longer simply wiring up buildings — we are building the infrastructure that enables flexible, resilient, and human-centred work. KNX allows us to do this across residential and commercial spaces, in ways that are scalable, secure, and adaptable to future needs.
Whether it’s a boardroom designed for seamless hybrid meetings or a spare bedroom turned into a wellbeing-optimised home office, KNX ensures that technology serves the user — not the other way around. In the hybrid era, smart doesn’t mean complicated. It means connected – KNX continues to be the most powerful tool in making that a reality.