Have you ever walked into a building and instantly felt relaxed, productive, or inexplicably on edge? That’s not by accident, it's the "vibe" at play. But now, there's a new, tech-savvy cousin on the scene: vibe coding. I’m excited about what it could mean for smart buildings.
Google defines vibe coding as:
“Vibe coding is an approach to software development where a large language model (LLM) generates code based on natural language prompts, emphasizing speed, iteration, and collaboration between the developer and the AI, rather than meticulous control over every line of code. It's a more intuitive and less hands-on way to build software, where developers focus on the overall vision and let the AI handle the details.”
Maybe for us in smart buildings, we could we extend that to think of it as intentionally scripting how a space should feel through a precise combination of technology, design, and human psychology. It’s like quick UX design, but for emotions and atmosphere.
From a technical perspective, vibe coding represents a substantial evolution in artificial intelligence. In the context of smart buildings, it involves sophisticated machine learning models that analyse real-time data from diverse sensors such as occupancy sensors, environmental quality monitors, acoustic sensors, and biometric wearables, to create predictive analytics about occupant behaviour and preferences. These models could continuously learn and adapt, recognising nuanced patterns in mood, stress levels, or productivity. This enables buildings not only to respond reactively but proactively anticipate and influence occupants' emotional states, pushing AI beyond simple automation to genuine emotional engagement.
In smart buildings, vibe coding translates into curating experiences using sensors, lighting, audio, visual elements, temperature, and even scent, dynamically adjusting in real-time to occupant needs and the building’s operational objectives. Designers suddenly gain the ability to embed not just functionality but intentional emotional responses into spaces. Operators, meanwhile, get a new layer of intelligence for managing buildings, shifting the focus from mere comfort to holistic wellbeing and productivity.
Take, for example, the humble corporate office. Previously notorious for one-size-fits-all lighting and temperature, imagine a building where spaces adjust their vibe based on real-time data. If the analytics sense heightened stress levels among occupants, the environment can subtly shift lowering lights slightly, softening background sounds, even releasing calming scents or biophilic visuals onto digital surfaces. Conversely, when the building senses a drop in energy or creativity, brighter, cooler lighting and energetic, ambient soundscapes gently nudge teams towards increased focus and productivity.
Another compelling use case is in hospitality settings, such as hotels or premium residential buildings. Vibe coding allows these environments to deeply personalise experiences. When a guest walks into their room after a tiring flight, the building’s sensors, informed by data from their smartphone or wearable, could trigger a precisely tailored relaxation experience, dimmed, warm lighting, a gentle soundscape, and a hint of lavender scent to ease them into restful recovery. Operators get happier guests; guests get exactly what they didn’t know they needed.
Over the next 18 months, I predict that vibe coding will shift from intriguing novelty to mainstream expectation. Driven by AI advancements and improved integration with IoT platforms, this trend will rapidly redefine smart buildings. We're likely to see early adopters achieving measurable benefits, be that reduced stress levels, improved productivity, and increased occupant satisfaction scores. And as it becomes standard practice, vibe coding will push operators and designers to rethink traditional metrics. It won’t just be about energy efficiency or space utilisation anymore; it'll be about emotional optimisation.
In essence, vibe coding will give buildings emotional intelligence. And much like that friend who instinctively knows when to hand you coffee or wine, our spaces will soon anticipate our moods and needs, subtly enhancing how we live, work, and unwind. Welcome to the future, where your building doesn’t just shelter you, it vibes with you.
In Dr Marson’s monthly column, he’ll be chronicling his thoughts and opinions on the latest developments, trends, and challenges in the Smart Buildings industry and the wider world of construction. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, you're sure to find something of interest here.
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About the author:
Matthew Marson is an experienced leader, working at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and the built environment. He was recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering as Young Engineer of the Year for his contributions to the global Smart Buildings industry. Having worked on some of the world’s leading smart buildings and cities projects, Matthew is a keynote speaker at international industry events related to emerging technology, net zero design and lessons from projects. He is author of The Smart Building Advantage and is published in a variety of journals, earning a doctorate in Smart Buildings.