The Smart Building Guide to The Orchestra

Imagine the chaos of an orchestra of strangers assembling for the first time on opening night, tasked with performing a newly written symphony in front of live, paying audience. Each musician, so skilled in their own right, encounters the composition and their fellow performers' interpretations for the first time in this high-stakes setting. And yet this scenario, fraught with potential for misalignment and disharmony, mirrors what all too often transpires in many construction projects. Different building systems — designed in isolation by separate teams — are expected to integrate seamlessly on-site, a process that can uncover scope gaps, compatibility and co-ordination issues requiring on-the-fly adjustments, just like musicians trying to find the tempo and harmony during the live performance.

The reality for the Orchestra of course is where the different parts of the orchestra's symphony are not only written together but also practiced collectively in the rehearsal hall, under the meticulous guidance of a conductor. This approach allows every nuance of the performance to be fine-tuned, ensuring that when the musicians finally perform in front of an audience, every part comes together seamlessly, creating a harmonious and impactful musical experience.

This is precisely the difference OKTO, as an MSI (Master Systems Integrator) & Delivery Partner, brings to a smart building project. Rather than having various building systems — such as IT, AV, Lighting Control, Access, Security, BMS, and tenant engagement apps — designed and implemented in isolation, the MSI ensures these systems are harmonized from the outset. Like a conductor leading the orchestra, the MSI oversees the integration of all subsystems, ensuring they are not only compatible but optimized to function as a cohesive whole.

Unlike other MSIs however OKTO are unique in having their own in-house orchestra of talent and their own rehearsal hall, the OKTOlabs. And can therefore assemble, programme and test these systems in a controlled environment off-site at the OKTOlabs, much like the rehearsal process for an orchestra, to iron out any discrepancies before installation.

By adopting this orchestrated approach, the OKTO mitigates the risk of disharmony that can arise when systems are brought together for the first time on-site. The result is a smart building where every technology and system performs in concert from day one, offering a seamless, efficient, and user-friendly experience for occupants. Not only ensuring the initial performance is flawless but also facilitating easier maintenance and future upgrades, an orchestra that can adapt its repertoire to new compositions or venues.

OKTO Technologies, harmonizing form and function in the modern built environment.