The Role of Touchless Technology in Modern Office Buildings
Touchless technology integration is the future of the modern workspace. According to a 2021 CBRE report[1], 51% of companies are looking for touchless technology as a future building attribute.
Recent data from the 2024 ASHB Smart Building Survey[2] showed that 90% of building owners and managers had implemented smart building technologies, including touchless systems such as biometric access controls and motion-activated lighting.
For businesses, the widespread adoption of touchless technology in office buildings is a sign of how the future of work is changing. Modern office buildings like Shaw Tower in Singapore are at the forefront of this change – here’s a look at how touchless technology can directly enhance convenience, security, and energy efficiency for tenants.
What Is Touchless
Technology In The Office?
Touchless technology refers to systems that users can operate without any physical contact. A touchless technology system consists of devices and components that send and receive a range of wireless signals, including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), motion detection, and facial recognition technology.
RFID access key cards, motion sensors for automatic doors, and automated lighting are common applications of touchless technology used in modern office spaces.
The Benefits Of
Touchless Office Technology
-
Convenience
Automated sensors in the workplace for lighting, air conditioning, or secure entry into areas allow seamless access and convenience without manually operating switches. This saves time for workers and enables them to focus on their tasks.
-
Hygiene
Touchless systems minimise the need for physical contact. Reducing contact with shared surfaces, such as door handles, elevator buttons, and touchscreens, dramatically lowers the risk of germ transmission, contributing to a higher standard of hygiene in the workspace.
-
SECURITY
Access to restricted areas is managed through the use of touchless keycards, voice activation, or facial recognition. A higher level of security prevents the risk of data breaches due to unauthorised access, which is particularly important for businesses handling sensitive data.
-
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
The time savings provided by touchless technology systems allow users to spend less time on administrative actions and focus on delivering high-impact work.
Artist’s Impression
Touchless Technology
Integration In Shaw Tower
Shaw Tower is a Grade A Office Building in Singapore that is setting a new standard for touchless technology integration in office buildings.
Shaw Tower is the first office building in Singapore to achieve WiredScore Platinum and SmartScore Platinum certification, offering greater security, safety, and efficiency through state-of-the-art digital infrastructure for tenants, both for now and the future.
-
TOUCHLESS ACCESS CONTROL
Shaw Tower leverages touchless technology for access control – the building is equipped with turnstiles that have both BLE and RFID-enabled sensors, allowing workers with the proper access credentials to enter without a drawn-out check-in process. Facial recognition technology and automated access gateways are used within the building to automatically identify authorised personnel and provide ease of access to workers.
-
TOUCHLESS ELEVATOR SYSTEMS
Shaw Tower features a touchless elevator system, providing easy access for visitors to designated floors. Visitors are signed in digitally at the building’s concierge and only given access to authorised levels. Elevators automatically take passengers to their destination, which mitigates potential security breaches and ensures a frictionless process.
Shaw Tower’s office lobby elevators are also equipped with BLE and RFID sensors and touchless sensor buttons. Tenants only need to scan their QR code on the app / phone using BLE to be transported to the office without pressing a button.
-
AUTOMATED DOOR SYSTEMS
Doorways in Shaw Tower have proximity sensors that detect when someone is approaching, automatically sliding or swinging open without any physical interaction. Doors to secured areas have BLE/RFID sensors to ensure only authorised individuals are provided access.
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROLS
Artist’s Impression
Smart HVAC systems built into Shaw Tower enable building operators to consistently monitor the air quality and maintain the indoor environment at a comfortable level for all tenants.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors are placed in strategic locations across spaces to ensure an optimal level of air freshness for the health and wellbeing of all tenants and guests.
Shaw Tower’s offices are equipped with adaptive lighting systems that automatically optimise lighting levels based on natural light and the time of day. This minimises eye strain for tenants and provides a more comfortable work environment.
Shaw Tower’s smart lighting utilises sensors to detect occupancy in office spaces, automatically dimming or switching off lights when a space is not in use. Smart lighting reduces energy consumption and operational costs for offices, resulting in lower utility costs for tenants.
Touchless technology in restrooms provides Shaw Tower’s tenants with a cleaner environment. Restrooms have automatic faucets, soap dispensers, and flush systems that operate with motion sensors, reducing the risk of surface transmission of germs.
Building management areas in Shaw Tower are secured by EM locked doors that can only be opened when a valid BLE/RFID card is scanned on the sensor pad. EM locks are more secure and easier to use for building management staff than traditional lock-and-key systems.
Final Thoughts
Touchless technology in the workplace is essential – Shaw Tower is a prime example of how future workspaces will incorporate wireless and IoT (Internet of Things) systems to provide efficient and sustainable spaces for businesses.
Shaw Tower offers forward-looking businesses the opportunity to establish an office in Singapore’s first WiredScore Platinum and SmartScore Platinum-certified building. With office floor plans ranging from 18,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet and smart-building infrastructure, we can accommodate your business’s needs for a Grade A office space. Get in touch with our team for more details on our office space options.
-
CBRE RESEARCH & CBRE, Inc. (2021). Key trends influencing investor strategies in 2021 & beyond. In CBRE’s 2021 Global Investor Intentions Survey. https://www.cbre.co.uk/-/media/project/cbre/shared-site/insights/articles/key-trends-influencing-investor-strategies-in-2021-and-beyond/9-key-trends-influencing-investor-strategies-in-2021-and-beyond.pdf
-
Association for Smarter Homes & Buildings & Harbor Research. (2024). 2024 Smart Building Trends & Technology Adoption. https://www.ashb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/HRI_ASHB_Smart-Building-Research_Survey-Executive-Summary_22-Aug2024-V2-2.pdf