Clifford Chance
PROJECT DETAILS
Award Winning Project: Project of the Year 2026, Building Intelligence Group – NYC Chapter
SIZE
144,000 sq ft
DEVELOPER/OWNER
Clifford Chance US
ARCHITECT
Gensler
SERVICES
- Smart Building Implementation Services
- Smart Building Consulting
- EXPERT™ Method for Smart Building Development
KEY USE CASES
- Occupancy-driven HVAC optimization to align energy use with real-time demand
- Automated meeting room release based on actual occupancy
- Booking-driven environmental readiness for conference and collaboration spaces
- Real-time visibility into space utilization and workplace activity
- Centralized ommand and control of building systems and tenant environments
- Integrated catering and conference service coordination
PROJECT PROFILE
See how this Project of the Year came together, from strategy through integration, in our presentation from the Building Intelligence Group – New York Chapter awards.
APPROACH
The project was grounded in a use-case-first strategy, focusing on outcomes rather than individual technologies. Through a tailored Basis of Design, The Clarient Group aligned stakeholders across Facilities, IT, Security, and Workplace teams to define how the building should perform—both operationally and experientially.
This foundation guided the integration of core building and workplace systems into a centralized platform, enabling unified visibility and control. Close coordination with enterprise IT ensured that all systems met stringent cybersecurity and data privacy requirements, while structured commissioning and User Acceptance Testing validated performance and readiness from day one.
INTEGRATED SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS
At the core of the project is a centralized Building Operating System, powered by KODE Labs, that brings together a wide range of technologies into a single, cohesive environment.
Rather than operating independently, systems including the building management system, lighting and motorized shading, access control, occupancy sensing, workplace applications, AV, digital twin capabilities, and work order management were fully integrated. This level of coordination across systems is uncommon within tenant environments and demonstrates how connectivity can elevate performance beyond what individual technologies can achieve on their own.
OUTCOMES
By unifying systems and data, the project enables a series of high-impact use cases that directly support both operations and user experience. Environmental systems dynamically respond to real-time occupancy, optimizing comfort while reducing energy consumption. Meeting rooms are automatically released when unused, and building systems adjust based on booking data to ensure spaces are ready when needed.
Facilities and workplace teams now have access to real-time and historical insights into space utilization, enabling more informed decision-making. At the same time, centralized visibility across systems allows for more proactive and efficient operations.
These strategies have delivered measurable results, including energy savings driven by occupancy-based HVAC optimization that offset a significant portion of the platform’s cost.
THE RESULT
The Clifford Chance New York headquarters demonstrates that the true value of a smart building lies not in the technologies themselves, but in how they are integrated.
By taking a strategic, use-case-driven approach, the project delivers a scalable model that aligns global standards with local execution—enhancing workplace experience, improving operational performance, and establishing a foundation for future deployments across the firm’s portfolio.
PROJECT PROFILE
Clifford Chance’s New York headquarters at Two Manhattan West represents a new model for how global organizations can leverage technology to deliver a high-performance, experience-driven workplace.
As part of a broader U.S. growth strategy, the firm identified smart building technology as a key differentiator—supporting hybrid work, enhancing workplace experience, and enabling more efficient, data-informed operations. The Clarient Group partnered with Clifford Chance to translate these goals into a scalable, use-case-driven smart building program, first implemented in New York.
Spanning approximately 144,000 square feet, the project has since been recognized with Project of the Year by the Building Intelligence Group – New York Chapter.
OUR APPROACH
Rather than focusing on individual systems, the project was driven by a use-case-first strategy, grounded in user journeys, operational priorities, and measurable outcomes.
The Clarient Group led the development of a tailored Basis of Design, aligning stakeholders across Facilities, IT, Security, and Workplace teams to define how technology would support both day-to-day operations and long-term business goals.
This strategy was executed through:
- Integration of core building and workplace systems into a centralized platform
- Close coordination with enterprise IT to ensure cybersecurity and data privacy compliance
- Structured commissioning and validation at the API and system level
- User Acceptance Testing and dashboard readiness to support immediate operational value
The result is a cohesive, scalable framework that bridges global standards with local execution.
INTEGRATED SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS
At the core of the project is a centralized Building Operating System , enabling unified visibility, control, and analytics across a diverse set of technologies.
The following systems were integrated into a single ecosystem:
- Building Management System (BMS)
- Lighting and motorized shading systems
- Access control and mobile credentials
- Occupancy sensing and space utilization
- Room booking and workplace applications
- Audio-visual systems
- Digital twin environment
- Work order and facility management systems
This level of integration—across multiple floors of tenant space—is uncommon and demonstrates how connecting systems can unlock value far beyond standalone deployments.
The project delivers tangible operational and experience-driven outcomes through tightly integrated use cases, including:
- Occupancy-driven HVAC optimization to align energy use with real-time demand
- Automated meeting room release based on actual occupancy
- Booking-driven environmental readiness for conference and collaboration spaces
- Real-time visibility into space utilization and workplace activity
- Centralized command and control of building systems and tenant environments
- Integrated catering and conference service coordination
By aggregating data into a single platform, the team enabled actionable insights that support smarter decision-making across stakeholders.
Notably, optimization of after-hours HVAC based on occupancy patterns generated energy savings equivalent to approximately 50% of the integration platform’s cost.
CHALLENGES
Delivering this level of integration within an active construction environment required careful coordination.
Key challenges included:
- Aligning system integration timelines with construction and commissioning schedules
- Ensuring successful validation across multiple interdependent systems
- Integrating IT and OT technologies while maintaining strict cybersecurity and data privacy standards
These challenges were addressed through early planning, close collaboration with vendors and stakeholders, and a disciplined commissioning process.
RESULTS
The Clifford Chance New York headquarters demonstrates that the true value of a smart building lies not in individual technologies, but in how they are strategically integrated.
The project delivers:
- Enterprise-wide visibility across building and workplace systems
- Improved operational efficiency and energy performance
- Enhanced workplace experience aligned with hybrid work strategies
- A scalable framework for future global deployments
This approach has established a repeatable model for Clifford Chance’s broader portfolio and set a new benchmark for tenant-level smart building integration.
