What Does It Mean To Be ‘Fit for Purpose’ In 2021?

By Sam Gooder, Head of Operations at EP&T Global.

What do a 40,000 m² commercial office tower, a shopping mall, and a stadium have in common? It’s not volume, the materials from which they are constructed from, or the purpose for which they were originally built. The answer is their data. All large commercial buildings such as office blocks, shopping malls and stadiums, can produce data, and it is this data that works as actionable information. The data is dynamic; it’s changing all the time based on the external conditions and the requirements of the building at the time. The data can be captured from a myriad of sources too, including the Building Management System (BMS); primary meters; submetering; even energy bills can be a source of data – and data means insights.

The term ‘fit for purpose’ can be used to simply mean a building’s physical use. For a stadium precinct to be fit for purpose, a myriad of things need to function, and well. For a stadium to be truly fit for purpose, factors include access and egress for tens of thousands of screaming fans; comfortable conditions for spectators in the corporate boxes and press galleries; thousands of lighting circuits; fully functioning giant LED screens and signage; hundreds of flushing toilets; reliable electricity, water, and gas supplies to dozens of hospitality outlets – to name but a few. The list is long, never mind considering the complex nature of these operations.

In the afterglow of COP26, ‘fit for purpose’ has a second meaning. A building’s purpose now includes an organisation’s drive to minimise the environmental impact of stadium operations. With a growing list of touring music artists and bands now pledging to be more sustainable, a certain amount of responsibility will rest on the shoulders of venues to prove that they are operating efficiently and sustainably.

As far back as 2003, The Rolling Stones pledged that the UK leg of their “Lick” tour would be carbon neutral. Back then it was made possible by carbon offsets, such as investing in renewables and planting trees. It started the conversation, one that continued through the 00’s with artists like Radiohead and Massive Attack. Now the likes of Dave Matthews, Billie Eilish, and others are moving beyond simply offsetting to address the impact of touring in different ways. In October of this year, Coldplay announced their upcoming world tour will be as environmentally sustainable as possible.

So, what’s a stadium to do? I’ve always believed in the adage: “What gets measured, gets managed.” While the phrase maybe a contentious one in management circles, in the world of building optimisation, it rings out loud, clear, and true. Granular building data - the algorithms and the engineers that transform data into actions - are the key to creating buildings and venues including stadiums that are more efficient, more comfortable, and more sustainable.

In addition, it is important to remember that data alone will not solve the challenges facing a property. Data needs specific expertise to help provide the necessary transparency for accurate reporting, calculation, and subsequent action. This means that when Chris Martin’s sustainability officer strides into a meeting wanting to know if the show is ‘green’ enough, the right answer can be provided to them with a high degree of accuracy.

There’s no denying it – stadia are unique beasts. So, striking the balance between operational efficiency and environmental sustainability is not the same as an office building, a hospital, or a school. Getting this balance right is a growing challenge for the operators of large entertainment venues, but it is one that will be overcome by using a simple equation: Data + Insights + Operational Responsiveness.

This equation involves the three key ingredients that will deliver on the efficiency and sustainability demands of the venue and the eco-conscious musical artists that book the space. The equation will always involve a collaborative approach and a commitment to a shared vision between the building data specialists, facilities management teams, and various stakeholders within the venue, that will work together to make a sustainable future happen.