Improving sustainability and efficiency of buildings in a playful way

Gamification may sound like a buzzword, but in reality it offers a powerful way to tackle challenges in the built environment. Consider, for example, improving sustainability or optimizing processes in buildings and urban infrastructure. Deploying elements of game mechanics increases user engagement, which can lead to greater efficiency, better use of resources, and more enjoyment in daily interactions with the environment. But how exactly does this work? And what can we learn from real-world examples?

At Innovattic, we love using game elements in the healthcare and built environment. Our mission is to make the world a little better through technology, and gamification plays an important role in this.

What is gamification in the built environment?

First, let's clarify exactly what gamification means. It is the application of game elements in a non-game context to encourage behavior and achieve goals. Think of earning points, badges or creating a sense of competition or cooperation. You can use this concept in apps, websites, and even in physical spaces.

In the built environment, such as offices, schools or residential areas, gamification can be used to achieve sustainable goals or to increase the efficiency of systems. It's about getting people to contribute to larger issues such as energy conservation, waste reduction or better maintenance of the environment in an intuitive, motivating way.

Improve efficiency in buildings

One of the biggest challenges in buildings is smart energy management. Heating, lighting, and air quality require continuous management, and there is often much room for improvement. By employing gamification, you can motivate people to optimize their energy use without it feeling like a punishment.

For example, imagine an office that uses a smart app to track energy consumption in real time. Employees can earn points by turning off lights when they leave, or by using less energy-consuming appliances. These points can then be redeemed for rewards, such as an extra day off or donations to charity. These kinds of game elements suddenly make something that was previously seen as boring or tedious a lot more interesting and fun.

Another example is optimizing cleaning rounds. Using smart sensors that track which areas are used the most, you can use a gamified system to motivate cleaners to clean the right areas based on usage. Cleaning crews can earn badges for quick and efficient service. This not only increases the quality of work, but also makes the entire operation more transparent and insightful.

How gamification contributes to the user experience

The biggest benefit of gamification is that it responds to our natural tendency to want to be challenged. Instead of simply completing tasks, such as reducing energy consumption or performing maintenance, users are encouraged to actively participate and take responsibility themselves. This increases engagement and makes mundane tasks less boring.

Another important element is the social component of gamification. By allowing people to compare their performance with others, or work together toward a common goal, you create a sense of community and belonging. This can be especially important in larger buildings or neighborhoods where anonymity is often the norm.

The playful path to efficiency and sustainability

Gamification is not just another trend; it is a powerful tool that can help make the built environment more efficient, more sustainable and, most importantly, more fun. At Innovattic, we are constantly looking for new ways to use technology to improve the world around us. Whether it's energy savings, maintenance or improving the overall user experience, gamification offers endless possibilities.