Faced with rising demand for teaching and social space, the university considered a multi-million-pound construction plan. However, aware of the financial risks and environmental costs, it sought a more sustainable, data-driven solution.
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The university partnered with SmartViz, a fast-growing tech company, to deploy a digital twin strategy powered by IoT sensors and AI analytics. Low-cost, peel-and-stick sensors were installed across campus to monitor occupancy, temperature, ventilation and air quality in real time.
The data was integrated with the university’s BMS and timetabling tools to create live, interactive dashboards showing exactly how and when spaces were used – and where energy was being wasted.
Scenario-based decisions
This solution allowed estates staff and senior leadership to make informed, scenario-based decisions. For example, granular sensor data helped facilities managers optimise heating and lighting usage based on real-time occupancy, while leadership could assess the impact of closing underused spaces without disrupting teaching.
The outcomes were transformational. Cardiff Met avoided £5.1m in capital spending by identifying under-used areas and deferring the need for new construction. This saved 483 tonnes of embodied CO2.
It also cut direct energy costs by £250,000 a year and avoided an additional £102,000 in operational costs. The improved insight enabled reconfiguration of existing spaces to better suit students and staff, rather than building anew.
Other finalists
De Montfort University Gleeds
innDex and FM Conway
Project ALICE for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation Glider Technology
Student Roost’s journey towards building safety compliance Zutec
University of St Andrews Strategic Review – Digital Nexus Majenta Solutions
Beyond financial and environmental savings, the initiative supported student wellbeing by improving internal environments. Better air quality, thermal comfort, and space availability have contributed to a more supportive learning atmosphere, with benefits for student retention and engagement.
The partnership model and technology stack – using scalable, AI-powered digital tools – has since been adopted by other UK universities.
Cardiff Met continues to refine the system, with SmartViz working alongside university teams to transfer knowledge and ensure long-term impact.
Shrikant Sharma, CEO, SmartViz, said: "We’re a small team, but we’re disrupting how buildings are designed and operated using data, AI and digital twins. Winning this with Cardiff Metropolitan University really shows the impact of what we’ve been working so hard on."
Read about the rest of the winners.
The Digital Construction Awards are organised by Digital Construction Week, CIOB, Construction Management and Digital Construction Plus. To find out more about the Awards and enquire about sponsorship or entering next year’s event, visit digitalconstructionawards.co.uk.
Generative artificial intelligence was used to help with the creation of this article. All content in the article was sourced, checked and verified by our editorial team before publication.
