„Buildings are becoming smart - not because they are cool, but because it pays off.“

„Digital construction planning“ - sounds important. But what does it really mean in everyday life? And for whom does it bring what added value?
Alexander Gran: To be honest, digitising planning alone is of little use. It's been around for a long time - whether in 2D, 3D or BIM. The real added value only arises when the processes are digitalised throughout. In other words, when construction and operation are also digital. Then those thousands of emails and Excel spreadsheets are no longer necessary. And therefore a lot of work and errors.

Hand on heart: How digital is construction planning really? What is still planned on paper today - and why is this still part of everyday life?
Alexander Gran: Planning is hardly ever done on paper any more. But they are approved and implemented. It's a classic chicken-and-egg problem: there's a lack of standards and tools - and at the same time a lack of understanding of why you need them in the first place. This is precisely why we are focussing on end-to-end digital, open processes with our „bobbieversum“ or the delivery note consortium.

As a decision-maker, how can I recognise whether my planning process is fit for the future - or whether it is still stuck in 1999?
Alexander Gran: To be honest, if I have to ask myself this question in the first place, I've actually already lost. If you know your processes, you know exactly where the problems are. Those who don't know this usually don't have a clean process - and are almost certainly not fit for the future.

Where do you currently see the biggest hurdles on the way to innovative, networked construction planning?
Alexander Gran: There is a lack of standards. And mandatory ones at that. Paper building applications should simply be banned. And we need to go digital downstream - in other words, where the construction companies are based. They need to demand digital processes. In the end, digital simply has to be cheaper.

What opportunities do smart buildings offer - for operators, users and society as a whole? And why do you think they are still used too rarely?
Alexander Gran: I don't see it in such black and white terms. Buildings are becoming digital step by step. You only have to look at what is happening in the B2C sector. Such developments often start in the more affordable segment. Change takes time. But the cost argument will speed things up on its own. If digital operations are worthwhile, everyone will join in.

If you could give advice to a medium-sized housing company or a local authority today - what should they start with tomorrow?
Alexander Gran: Municipality: Put an end to paper! And put pressure on us to get rid of federalism.
Housing companies: Calculate what digitalisation saves you in operation. Then you'll quickly realise that it's also worthwhile for planning and construction.
Political: State building regulations and offices at state level? Superfluous in my view. More scope for authorisation belongs to the lower building inspectorate.

What would have to change politically, economically or culturally for smart building concepts to be implemented more quickly and sustainably?
Alexander Gran: Economically, we need more dynamism in energy prices - that's coming slowly. Then the building sector will follow suit.
Culturally? Sure, a little more openness to new things would be nice. But you don't change culture overnight. I wouldn't put any energy into that.

Alexander Gran will be providing more impetus and plain speaking live at the Digital Building Summit 2025 in Berlin.