Building development approach

A SEGRO Smart Building is equipped with a network of specialised sensors that deliver real time insight into how the building is performing. It tracks everything from energy use and indoor air quality to occupancy patterns, providing data that helps customers reduce costs, improve efficiency, and create safer, healthier environments. The technology is powered by Johnson Controls’ cloud based OpenBlue platform, ensuring a seamless and scalable smart infrastructure.

The SMART Core system tracks:
• Energy use (electricity & gas, reported hourly)
• Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, lighting levels)
• Motion & space utilisation
• Water consumption
• Indoor air quality (CO₂, particulate matter, TVOCs)

This data is displayed in a clear, intuitive interface, helping customers identify operational inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.

Buildings are designed to be compatible with the SEGRO SMART Core platform, which enables installation of sensors to monitor energy, air quality, occupancy, environmental data, and water consumption with real‑time insights via Johnson Controls’ OpenBlue system.

SEGRO Smart Buildings provide:
• Up to 40% energy savings demonstrated in pilot sites
• Lower operational costs through data driven optimisation
• Improved workplace health, safety, and comfort
• No capital expenditure for customers
• A scalable solution suitable for single buildings or entire portfolios

SEGRO partnered with:
• Johnson Controls, global leaders in building technology and digital infrastructure
• Arcadis, specialists in smart building solutions and Net Zero performance

Both partners bring deep technical expertise, ensuring robust, scalable, and future proof smart building solutions.

Simply contact the SEGRO Smart Buildings team at smartbuildings@segro.com to request information, register your building, or arrange training.

Every SEGRO new build incorporates a high baseline of sustainable design features, including low energy LED lighting, efficient heating and cooling systems, low VOC materials, sustainable timber and recycled content, EV ready infrastructure, cycle facilities, and future proof building controls.

SEGRO roof structures are engineered for efficiency and environmental benefit. They maximise natural light, reduce solar gain, and support significant solar PV installations. Where suitable, green, blue, or brown roofs enhance biodiversity and improve ecological performance.

SEGRO uses recycled‑content steel and low carbon concrete, while sustainable timber is introduced wherever possible. These choices cut embodied carbon, reduce waste, and contribute to more environmentally responsible construction.

Customers benefit from:

• Lower energy consumption

• Reduced heating and lighting costs

• Better air quality and healthier working environments

• EV and cycling infrastructure

• Reduced water use and operational waste

• Building management systems (BMS) for improved energy control

SEGRO developments include site specific biodiversity enhancements, such as wildflower planting, habitats for pollinators, pocket parks, and- on some estates - urban farming initiatives including bee colonies or even grazing animals.

All new developments incorporate measures such as SuDS (sustainable drainage systems), strategic planting, building orientation modelling, flood resilience (1 in 100 +10), and increased roof strength to handle extreme weather conditions.

SEGRO is actively researching and adopting technologies that will shape the future of industrial and logistics real estate, including automation ready design, robotics integration, AI driven operational insights, and digital twins for building simulation.

Developments are designed with flexibility, power resilience, and clear span layouts that support robotic systems, automated picking, and high tech manufacturing. Load capacities, spatial planning, and digital infrastructure are future proofed to enable easy adoption of automation technologies.

AI and advanced analytics help identify patterns in energy use, environmental performance, and occupancy to support better operational decision making. These insights enable lower costs, improved sustainability outcomes, and more resilient business operations.

Digital twins allow SEGRO to simulate building performance, test energy strategies, model operational flow, and assess future layouts before construction. This improves design quality, reduces risk, and ensures buildings operate at peak efficiency from day one.

Current R&D priorities include exploring higher performing low carbon materials, enhanced insulation systems, alternative building components with greater durability, and digital fabrication techniques that reduce waste during construction.

SEGRO follows a precision led design philosophy focused on performance, longevity, and operational efficiency. Every building is engineered using high quality materials and clear technical standards, ensuring developments deliver reliable, future ready industrial space.

Developments use materials selected for durability, sustainability, and efficiency, including high recycled content steel, low carbon concrete, sustainable timber, low VOC finishes, and advanced insulation systems. These choices reduce embodied carbon while maintaining strong structural performance.

Buildings are designed with intelligent systems, optimised layouts, robust insulation, airtightness, and high efficiency heating and lighting. Smart ready infrastructure enables real time monitoring of energy and environmental conditions, helping customers continually improve operational performance.

SEGRO prioritises natural light, healthy working environments, and WELL Core aligned spaces. Features such as improved air quality, ergonomic layouts, and access to green spaces contribute to healthier, more productive workplaces.

Yes. Clear span layouts, flexible loading configurations, increased power capacity, and modular office areas allow developments to adapt to evolving customer requirements — from logistics and manufacturing to data led and automated operations.

Yes — examples are available via estate pages, where you can explore specifications, photography, 3D renders, and technical details for a range of property types.

All new SEGRO developments come with a baseline of high quality features, including smart ready infrastructure, energy efficient lighting, sustainable materials, robust envelopes, low VOC finishes, EV ready transport infrastructure, and WELL aligned workplace standards.

Sustainability is integrated from day one — spanning materials, design, systems, construction methods, and external landscaping. Each building includes efficiency-led systems, renewable ready roofs, low carbon materials, biodiversity enhancements, and energy saving controls.

Developments follow unified technical standards, enabling customers to roll out consistent operations across the UK and Europe. This includes aligned sustainability features, comparable building performance, and scalable smart building technology across portfolios.

You can explore technical specifications for urban, big box, refurbished, and data centre properties on estate pages, which include downloads, specification sheets, diagrams, and/or detailed technical information.