At Canary Wharf, the journey to smart buildings is less about chasing hype and more about building responsibly at scale. As Peter Beck, design executive, special systems at Canary Wharf, in conversation with Dr Shelley James explains, the estate’s original architecture was designed to meet the needs of global banks with a focus on derisking and business continuity — every building was a standalone system. Each had its own BMS, with each function, from billing, lighting, vertical transport and security, running through its own network. “That meant we could build and deliver fast. We could commission as we went, and nobody was reliant on more than one contractor to complete on time.”
For decades, it worked.
But as the demand for integration has grown—accelerated by COVID and hybrid working—the focus has shifted. “We began by looking inward. Where were we in comparison to British Land or Crown Estates?” Peter has been involved in a gap analysis exercise to determine what smart-readiness really meant for Canary Wharf’s future.
Instead of expanding the range of functionalities on offer, with the potential to generate unnecessary cost and complexity, his approach is focused on convergence. New builds such as North Quay are implementing a single structured backbone network, with systems from BMS to lighting and security interoperable by design. “We’re not delivering full smart,” Peter clarifies. “We’re delivering smart-ready, so tenants can build on what’s there without having to retrofit or untangle silos.”
The role of the MSI (Master Systems Integrator) is key—standardising data structures and creating usable dashboards. “You can collect data on anything, but unless you know what to act on, it’s just noise,” Peter adds.
Importantly, smart means different things to different users. “For a facilities manager, it might mean maintenance tracking. For a tenant, it's lighting and air quality. For us, it's making sure what we install on Day One can deliver tenant aspirations on Day Two.”
Peter is also candid about sector challenges—particularly skills shortages. “Smart came out of BMS, and that’s still where most expertise lies. But the industry needs fresh talent, and right now, it’s not attracting them in the number that will be required.”
Canary Wharf’s reputation for long-term tenant relationships gives it a solid foundation. The new wave of smart-ready buildings, interoperable from the outset and supported by a curated network of trusted suppliers, reflect a pragmatic, scalable approach.
As Peter says, “There’s no silver bullet. The only way you know it’s working is if tenants want to stay.”