Smartness assessment model for modern buildings in Sri Lanka

Purpose As economic activities grow, clients demand more efficient building facilities. Smart buildings, which integrate technology, user interaction and adaptability, offer a solution, yet their adoption in developing countries like Sri Lanka remains limited. Although frameworks exist, most originate in developed contexts and emphasise individual attributes rather than integrated assessment. This study develops a Sri Lanka-specific smartness assessment model to evaluate modern buildings and motivate improvements in efficiency and sustainability. Design/methodology/approach This article employs a mixed-methods design to develop a smartness assessment model comprising 11 attributes and 41 variables, derived from the literature and subsequently validated and weighted by experts. Sixteen selected buildings in the Colombo suburbs were assessed; cases were selected by convenience sampling. Data were collected through site observations, document review and interviews with responsible professionals. Scores were computed using a four-level subgrades and weighted aggregation to produce Smartness Ratings, which were summarised descriptively. Findings Across 16 buildings, the mean Smartness Rating is 42%. By type, commercial average 48.35%, hotels 45% and apartments 34%, with CB4 (61.34%) and CB5 (57.79%) leading the sample. Higher Smartness Ratings are associated with deeper building management systems coverage, central-plant control and sensor-based monitoring, whereas lower Smartness Ratings reflect fragmented integration. At the attribute level, occupant control and safety and security are consistently strong; energy efficiency and environment and sustainability sit in the mid-range; and adaptability and learning are largely absent. Originality/value This article introduces a comprehensive, validated smartness assessment tailored to Sri Lankan buildings and demonstrates its application to a real-world sample.