ackground and aim – Driven by new technologies and societal challenges, futureproof facility managers must enable sustainable housing by combining bricks and
bytes into future-proof business support and workplace concepts. The Hague
University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) acknowledges the urgency of educating
students about this new reality. As part of a large-scale two-year study into
sustainable business operations, a living lab has been created as a creative space on
the campus of THUAS where (novel) business activities and future-proof workplace
concepts are tested. The aim is to gain a better understanding amongst students,
lecturers, and the university housing department of bricks, bytes, behavior, and
business support.
Results – Based on different focal points the outcomes of this research present
guidelines for facility managers how data-driven facility management creates value
and a better understanding of sustainable business operations. In addition, this
practice based research presents how higher education in terms of taking the next
step in creating digitized skilled facility professionals can add value to their
curriculum.
Practical or social implications – The facility management profession has an
important role to play in the mitigation of sustainable and digitized business
operations. However, implementing high-end technology within the workplace can
help to create a sustainable work environment and better use of the workplace.
These developments will result in a better understanding of sustainable business
operations and future-proof capabilities. A living lab is the opportunity to teach
students to work with big data and provides a playground for them to test their
circular workplace, business support designs, and smart building technologies.