iSpace: principles for a phenomenology of space user in smart real estate

Abstract

Purpose As smart technologies become an integral part of real estate in smart cities, the purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of ubiquitous computing on space users in smart real estate. Design/methodology/approach The analysis builds on two fields of knowledge rarely referenced in real estate studies: computer sciences and social sciences. The paper starts by analysing the idiosyncrasies of a new type of space user in smart real estate, known as the Cyber-dasein in reference to Heidegger’s phenomenology. The Cyber-dasein serves as an archetypical space user in smart environments. Findings The paper introduces digital-time as a new realm of real estate, and discusses the use of “experienced utility” in hedonic pricing models of smart real estate. It concludes by advocating a multidisciplinary collaborative approach for future research on real estate in smart environments. Practical implications There is a need for the real estate sector to decide on a metric for the new digital dimension of real estate owing to the implementation of smart technologies in the built environment. Originality/value This is the first research paper on this important topic. It is totally original and new.

Bringing the User Back in the Building: An Analysis of ESG in Real Estate and a Behavioral Framework to Guide Future Research

“…Despite its potential to revolutionize the way the built environment interacts with users, smart real estate has not yet reached the main stream of real estate research or practice [69,[71][72][73][74]. Although technology is increasingly used to improve user satisfaction on the physical and perhaps functional level, the true integration between user and building through technology has not yet been achieved.…”

“…Although technology is increasingly used to improve user satisfaction on the physical and perhaps functional level, the true integration between user and building through technology has not yet been achieved. Lecomte (2019) uses the term of Cyberdasein, modelled after Heidegger's phenomenology, to describe the user who is one with the building through technology and is thus able to reach beyond the physical boundaries of the space they are in. The objective of smart real estate should be the seamless integration of physical and virtual worlds.…”

“…This way, a smart building can become an active organism that engages users' senses and adapts to individualized needs and experiences. In the words of Chtcheglov "Everyone will live in his own personal cathedral" [74]. Similarly, Ihde [75] describes smart buildings as 'fully enclosed mini-cocoons'.…”

“…Possibilities are endless in this smart space, and all the user's needs (physical, functional, and psychological) can be met. Lecomte (2019) calls this perfect harmony between user and smart space 'flow'. It is the phenomenological account of what people experience when they are fully immersed in an activity, without distractions.…”

“…To be sure, besides being a source of opportunity, user centricity may also be a source of challenges. Real estate players will have to identify how to capture value from space users' dual experiences of physical and digital space in smart real estate (Lecomte, 2019). Moreover, although the value of disruptive technology is widely acknowledged, its adoption and usage remain limited in practice [69].…”