Smarter Buildings Start Here: 26 York Street’s Quiet Revolution

At Symphony Energy, we’ve always believed in the power of data-driven solutions to transform building operations into models of efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort. One of the clearest examples of this vision in action is our collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) at their flagship building, 26 York Street. 

What started as a project to optimise an already energy-efficient building has now become a benchmark for smarter buildings, a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and real-world results. This case study proves that smart buildings are not just a distant concept, but a present reality already delivering measurable benefits.

Real-World Outcomes: Tangible Performance Improvements

When we were first approached by RCSI in 2020 to optimise the energy performance of 26 York Street, our task was clear: maximise energy savings while ensuring occupant comfort remained uncompromised. The building was already well-designed with high-efficiency equipment. 

However, our goal was to achieve radical reductions in HVAC gas and electricity demand without disrupting its daily operations or tenant experience.

The Results

Between 2022 and 2023, we achieved 73% savings in HVAC gas consumption and 70% savings in HVAC electricity demand at 26 York Street. In terms of real-world impact, this equated to 349,290 kWh of electricity savings, 710,415 kWh in gas savings, and 250 tonnes of CO2 saved annually. 

These results were made possible through the innovative integration of Symphony’s Smart Optimisation programme, which continuously adapts to the building’s needs in real-time. We believe these figures are not just numbers, but proof that energy efficiency and occupant comfort can go hand in hand.

One of the key technologies driving this success was Symphony Cycle, a unique solution we developed that recycles waste heat from the building's HVAC system to provide both heating and cooling, without requiring any additional energy input. In fact, Symphony Cycle provided free cooling for 70% of the building’s cooling hours, contributing 30% of the total energy savings. 

This innovative approach not only reduced energy costs but also reduced the need for external heating systems, which is a critical consideration as buildings strive to meet net-zero goals.

The Tech in Action: Symphony’s Full Stack

At Symphony Energy, we focus on a holistic approach to energy management, one that integrates multiple technologies into a seamless, non-disruptive solution for buildings. For 26 York Street, we deployed our full-stack solution, which includes Symphony Cycle, Symphony Cloud, and Symphony WellTech. What sets this system apart is how we were able to integrate these technologies into the existing building infrastructure without any major retrofitting or disruptions to the ongoing activities within the building.

We began by creating a virtual model of the building using data gathered from the Building Management System (BMS), IoT sensors, and weather data. This virtual model replicated the building’s energy systems, allowing us to simulate various energy-saving strategies and test them in a controlled environment. The model became a critical tool for identifying areas for improvement and fine-tuning operational settings.

The next step was integrating this virtual model into our Symphony Cloud platform, which acts as the central brain for energy optimisation. Symphony Cloud processed data from the building’s systems and provided insights that allowed us to adjust energy demand in real-time. 

Using custom performance algorithms, we continually fine-tuned the HVAC system settings to maximise energy savings, ensuring optimal comfort for all building occupants. The key here was automation, with algorithms designed to adjust energy consumption dynamically based on factors like occupancy, weather conditions, and even seasonal changes.

Symphony WellTech, another crucial part of the stack, provided real-time feedback on air quality and other environmental factors within the building. This data was used to adjust the HVAC settings, ensuring that air quality was maintained at optimal levels while still driving energy savings.

Occupier Feedback: Impact on Comfort and Productivity

One of the most gratifying aspects of the 26 York Street project has been the feedback we’ve received from RCSI staff, students, and faculty. Since implementing our technologies, occupant comfort levels have improved, and feedback indicates that the building environment is stable and conducive to productivity, an outcome that aligns perfectly with our objectives.

At Symphony Energy, we understand that comfort is just as important as energy savings. 26 York Street is home to a range of spaces, classrooms, labs, a sports hall, an auditorium, offices, and a library. Each of these spaces requires specific heating, cooling, and ventilation strategies. The flexibility of our system has allowed us to tailor the building’s operations to the specific needs of each area, ensuring that comfort is always maintained.

For the building’s diverse occupants, this has meant that the HVAC systems automatically adjust to different levels of demand throughout the day, providing a consistent environment whether a classroom is filled with students or the library is in use late into the evening. This level of real-time adaptation is a key feature of Symphony’s optimisation strategy. It’s also what makes the system more effective than traditional energy-saving approaches, which often rely on manual interventions or set schedules.

One of the highlights of this feedback has been how our dynamic demand control has led to enhanced air quality (IAQ) in high-occupancy spaces. As regulations around IAQ continue to tighten, the ability to manage ventilation dynamically has positioned 26 York Street ahead of the curve.

Why It Matters: Smart Buildings Are Already Here

The success at 26 York Street is a powerful reminder that smart buildings aren’t just a theoretical future. They are happening today, right now, in real-world settings like RCSI. Through the integration of Symphony Cycle, Symphony Cloud, and Symphony WellTech, we’ve shown that it’s possible to optimise energy performance, occupant comfort, and air quality simultaneously, without any major retrofits or disruptions to building operations.

The results at 26 York Street demonstrate that buildings can evolve into smart, energy-efficient spaces without the need for complete overhauls. The benefits are clear: reduced energy consumption, significant cost savings, improved air quality, and most importantly, enhanced occupant satisfaction. Our approach proves that the future of buildings is about data-driven optimisation, and it’s already delivering real, measurable outcomes.

Conclusion: A Model for the Future

At Symphony Energy, we believe that the transformation of 26 York Street is just the beginning. The project not only demonstrates the effectiveness of our Smart Optimisation programme, but it also sets a new standard for how we can manage building performance in the future. The seamless integration of advanced technologies like Symphony Cycle and Symphony Cloud into existing infrastructure shows that we can unlock significant energy savings and improve occupant comfort without the need for disruptive retrofits.

The success of 26 York Street is a testament to the potential of smarter buildings and a clear indication that the solutions are available now, ready to be implemented in buildings of all types. As we continue to help organisations optimise their buildings with our advanced technology stack, we’re excited to lead the way in creating buildings that are not only energy-efficient but also more comfortable, productive, and sustainable for their occupants.

We’re proud to say that smart buildings are not just a trend; they’re here, and 26 York Street is the proof.