News & Insights

Salas O’Brien’s expertise spans industries as diverse as healthcare, education, manufacturing, culture, and commercial development. This broad reach gives us a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the built environment.

As we step into 2025, Salas O’Brien team members shared a variety of themes that are emerging across sectors—real-world trends rooted in global shifts. These insights aren’t just forecasts; they reflect the practical innovations our clients are adopting to drive meaningful, lasting impact.

From energy efficiency to advanced technology integration, here’s a closer look at the trends our team is seeing that will define the year ahead.

Sustainability that delivers measurable ROI

Clients are prioritizing green initiatives that reduce environmental impact while delivering measurable financial returns through energy savings and operational efficiencies. Here is what our team members are currently seeing across industries:

“Most critical hospital operations rely heavily on energy from carbon-based sources, yet many of our healthcare clients are actively pursuing decarbonization,” says Phillip Barbe, PE, Principal. “Healthcare facilities face unique challenges—they are high-demand, high-performance environments operating within tight budgets. That means every sustainability initiative must not only align with environmental goals but also deliver measurable value to the bottom line.

“You can’t improve what you don’t measure,” says Allen Koester, PE, PMP, Senior Vice President serving the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. “Corporate sustainability goals are often shaped by investor expectations, with timelines that can be ambitious. The most effective strategies focus on incremental progress that delivers measurable, tangible results. Achieving this starts with accurate data tracking—monitoring energy use, emissions, and waste streams to create a clear baseline for improvement.

“Many clients are incorporating electrification into their long-term strategies, but the process is often prompted by immediate concerns, such as the failure of outdated fossil fuel-based systems or regulatory changes,” says Eleanore Colton, Energy Planning and Sustainability Coordinator. “The strongest efficiency gains are achieved not just through targeted system upgrades but by looking at a building, campus, or portfolio as a whole. A coordinated effort may take time and investment in the beginning, but the payoff is strong.

Maria Kordjamshidi, Ph.D., LEED AP and Sustainability Project Manager highlights a growing focus by clients on reducing embodied carbon to reduce emissions. “Selecting materials with a smaller carbon footprint—such as mass timber, recycled steel, or concrete incorporating alternatives to cement like fly ash, limestone, or slag—can significantly reduce the environmental impact of new construction. Additionally, strategies like decreasing overall square footage or repurposing existing structures through adaptive reuse not only cut emissions but often result in substantial cost savings.

“No matter what industry a client is in or their stance on corporate sustainability, we are seeing widespread adoption of new data management tools and processes,” says Marianna Moores, WELL AP, LEED AP, GRESB-AP, Associate Vice President. “These tools empower organizations to track energy use, emissions, and other key metrics in real time, enabling more informed decisions, improved operational efficiency, and alignment with evolving regulatory and market expectations.

The rise of real-time data: smarter decisions in facility management

The integration of IoT, automation, and data analytics is transforming how facilities are managed, enabling better performance and more informed decision-making. Here is how “smart systems” are showing up in a variety of contexts:

“Data centers are increasingly implementing sophisticated sensor networks for real-time metering and tracking of water usage,” says Donald Young, CCM, Principal. “By integrating machine learning with building management systems, these facilities can dynamically optimize cooling systems, adjusting in real-time based on server load, ambient temperature, and humidity. This approach not only reduces water and energy consumption but also enhances hardware longevity through better thermal management.

“We’re seeing an increasing number of clients leveraging their building data through ongoing commissioning,” says Steve Carroll, CxA, LEED AP, Principal and Director of Commissioning. “By continuously monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing building systems, organizations are achieving significant cost savings and improvements in energy and resource efficiency. Virtually any aspect of a building can be monitored, and when combined with AI systems, variances are quickly identified, spotlighting areas for improvement.

Clive Lacey, P.Eng, Managing Principal says, “Many arts venues are choosing building management systems (BMS) and zoning strategies to optimize energy use because of the wide variance in facility use. Leveraging sensor data—capturing occupancy, temperature, humidity, and air quality—allows venues to adjust energy consumption dynamically based on actual usage. By dividing the facility into zones, performance spaces can operate efficiently during events, while less-frequented areas like rehearsal rooms, lobbies, and offices automatically transition to low-energy modes when not in use. This approach significantly reduces energy waste while maintaining comfort and functionality.”

“In food and beverage manufacturing we are seeing clients implement advanced metering infrastructure and leveraging that data to make informed decisions about energy and water use. While many plants have realized significant gains through capital upgrades to facilities, substantial opportunities still exist in optimizing manufacturing processes,” says Rock Voyer, P.Eng, Senior Project Engineer.

“Efforts are heavily focused on energy efficiency,” says Mac Mottley, Vice President, Federal Services. “Many of the projects we are working on involve energy meters that push data to networks or the cloud. These meters generate vast amounts of information, but without analysis, the data remains untapped. That’s where our technologies come in—using AI and advanced analytics, we identify inefficiencies, uncover patterns, and provide actionable insights. By analyzing large datasets, we can not only optimize current operations but also project future needs, enabling clients to establish the most efficient systems moving forward.

Renewables redefining operations for facilities and utilities

The integration of renewable energy sources is transforming facilities into self-sustaining hubs, reducing dependency on traditional grids while lowering long-term energy costs and carbon footprints. Here is how the integration of renewable energy is impacting facilities across North America:

“As the number of generation sources increases, so does the complexity of managing the grid,” says Jamie Landers, PE, Senior Vice President. “Utilities now face the daunting task of integrating and managing numerous, dispersed generation points. This decentralization complicates grid management and reliability. Much of our work at the moment is helping clients address the complexities and challenges associated with integrating decentralized and renewable energy sources into the existing grid infrastructure.

Ryan Mowery, PE, Principal, reports a significant rise in renewable natural gas (RNG) projects. “The demand for RNG is surging across North America using landfills and agricultural animal waste as methane sources, creating a valuable clean energy source for powering homes, vehicles, and industrial processes. Our teams are supporting this transition by delivering comprehensive solutions—from feasibility studies and site assessments to the design and implementation of advanced biogas upgrading systems.

“Facility engineers may not always have exposure to the latest energy technologies, given the rapid pace of development,” says Duc Bui, PE, Principal. “We’re seeing many clients adopt innovations like microgrids, photovoltaics, solid oxide fuel cells, and onsite hydrogen production, with micro nuclear systems on the near horizon. My advice to clients integrating these technologies is to involve facility engineers early so they can gain familiarity with these systems, contribute to the process, and ultimately maximize the benefits of the new technology.

Mike Walters, PE, LEED AP, Principal, notes a growing demand for geoexchange systems, particularly in the higher education sector. “Higher education campuses are uniquely suited for geoexchange systems because they consist of diverse buildings managed by a single entity with a long-term perspective. This mindset aligns well with the longevity and efficiency of geoexchange solutions. Additionally, many campuses have natural advantages, such as available land in parking lots, recreational fields, or future construction sites, which can be utilized for geoexchange system installation.

Maximizing the value of aging building stock

Across industries, owners and facility managers are focusing on extending the life of older buildings through strategic retrofits, energy upgrades, and adaptive reuse, balancing cost efficiency with modern performance expectations. Here is what our team is seeing:

“Clients in the public sector are increasingly taking a proactive approach to asset management,” says Lawrence McSorley, AAA, AIBC, MRAIC, NCARB, Principal. “We’re seeing a rise in requests for facility condition assessments to help clients build a complete inventory of their full portfolio of assets. This includes everything from documenting the square footage, age, and condition of interior finishes, building envelope and HVAC and electrical system. By providing a detailed snapshot of their facilities, we’re enabling clients to plan and prioritize within their portfolios for major, repairs, replacements, upgrades, and save money by bundling improvements strategically.

“Optimizing aging buildings through adaptive reuse is inherently sustainable, but many older buildings were not originally designed to support the types of activities or the load that the new uses require,” says structural engineer, Julie Bolding, PE, Associate Vice President.  “The biggest challenge for developers is in accounting for the unknowns. We are leveraging non-destructive technologies like 3-D laser scanning to accurately document the existing conditions and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and temporary sensors to understand the material properties of existing buildings.  This approach helps minimize the risk for clients as they breathe new life into these older buildings.

“We’re seeing clients take exciting steps to leverage technology in transforming and repositioning existing spaces,” says Craig Janssen, LEED AP Managing Principal, Technology and Acoustics. “By focusing on enhancing user experiences, animating the architecture, and making spaces interactive, they’re not only modernizing their facilities but also redefining how these spaces engage and inspire their occupants.”

“We’re seeing more commercial clients benchmarking energy performance across their portfolios,” says David Bonaventure, PE, Managing Principal. “By diving into energy modeling and analyzing historical data, they gain a clear picture of energy costs per square foot and the variances between facilities. While the capital expenditure for replacing equipment can seem daunting at first, the payback period is often shorter than expected, making these investments more appealing and impactful than clients initially realize.

“We’re seeing a growing interest from clients in the performance of their buildings’ envelopes—the physical barrier separating the interior from the exterior,” says Keith A. Simon, FAIA, BECxP, Vice President. “This includes elements like walls, roofs, windows, doors, and foundations. Addressing building envelope performance can deliver substantial energy savings. In addition to improving energy efficiency and dropping operational costs, improved building envelopes also improve occupant comfort and indoor air quality.”

Broadening applications for robotics and automation

Robotics have proven to be a versatile tool for addressing labor shortages, improving safety, and reducing operational costs in diverse environments. From autonomous delivery systems in healthcare facilities to fighting erosion on the Mississippi River, these technologies are streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency.

Will Knapp, Director of Pharmaceutical Projects, says he is seeing rapid adoption of robots in aseptic manufacturing applications. “Human intervention is the greatest contamination risk to aseptic product safety. By minimizing human contact, robotics enhance sterility and consistency in production processes, raising standards of product safety and quality. We are seeing this sector expand.

“Plant automation and robotics are advancing rapidly, and we’re partnering with manufacturing clients to enhance data availability, particularly through the development of digital twins,” says John Glenski, Principal & Senior Director of Automation and Digital. “These virtual models of physical systems enabling clients to not only monitor performance in real-time but also model different scenarios to improve decision-making. By leveraging digital twins along with robotics and automation, manufacturers can drive efficiency and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.

“Developing concepts and ideas is rarely the biggest challenge,” says Harry Kleiser, Senior Managing Principal, Federal Services. “The real key is having a team that can bring those ideas to life, which requires a collaborative mindset rather than simply focusing on building a robot. Our clients hire us for our ability to listen, especially when their needs are difficult to articulate—and to foster collaboration across disciplines. By integrating electrical, mechanical, and technical expertise, we ensure constructability and deliver seamless execution.

Integrated strategies to protect against physical and cyber threats

As facilities face evolving threats, physical and cyber safety is becoming a discussion early in planning with strategies integrated into the core development of facilities. Here is what our experts are seeing:

“The average age of commercial buildings in the U.S. is approximately 50 years, which means most facility and IT managers are working with a mix of legacy building systems,” says Dan Vogt, CIO. “These legacy systems often rely on outdated technologies, suffer from poor documentation, lack critical security updates, and depend on other obsolete systems. This combination creates significant vulnerabilities, leaving facilities exposed to potential cyberattacks. Across sectors, we’re seeing clients prioritize updates to operational technologies like building management systems (BMS) and SCADA systems, focusing on modernizing and securing these critical infrastructure components.

Mark Andre, PE, Associate Vice President says, “A growing need is site hardening for substations to protect the power supply from physical threats. Salas O’Brien is being asked to deliver robust turnkey site hardening solutions, including design for video surveillance, berms, ballistic shields, protective walls, and motion detection systems to safeguard key assets from physical threats.

Felix Zayas, RCDD, Vice President says, “The evolution of electronic security in education is shifting toward integrated, adaptive strategies that prioritize both prevention and response. By harmonizing access control, surveillance, and emerging technologies, schools are creating safer environments that foster learning while addressing modern security challenges.

“Surveillance systems are evolving with intelligent video analytics powered by AI tools, including facial recognition, object detection, situational analysis, and license plate recognition,” says Eric Scholten, Vice President who specializes in healthcare and education facilities. “These advanced systems move beyond passive recording by analyzing real-time data proactively identifying risks enabling Owners faster, more accurate responses to potential threats and incidents.

“The convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) networks enables greater operational efficiency,” says Dave Jennings, PE, CISA, Associate Vice President. “However, this integration has also opened the door to new risks. OT systems, which were once isolated, are now vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. We’re seeing a growing demand for our industrial cybersecurity services as clients work to protect critical systems like SCADA, building management, and production control from increasingly sophisticated attacks.

How Salas O’Brien is working with clients to meet what’s next

The built environment is changing rapidly, pushing all of us to think in new ways, embrace innovation, and collaborate more effectively. The trends shaping 2025 highlight both challenges and opportunities—where sustainability needs to show measurable value, technology is redefining how people experience spaces, and resilience is becoming essential for long-term success.

At Salas O’Brien, we view these changes as opportunities to work alongside our clients to tackle today’s challenges while preparing for what’s coming. Together, we’re creating spaces that are practical, forward-thinking, and designed to make a lasting impact.

For media inquiries on this article, reach out to Stacy Lake, Director of Corporate Communications