I work in a technical role without a technical background.
That’s why I question everything starting at the source.
What I uncover often shows where things are heading.
I connect vision to regulation, and regulation to action.
I’m currently Lead Smart Buildings at Equans Digital, where we work on scalable data analytics strategies for building efficiency, maintenance, and long-term investment decisions.
Right now, I’m focused on how regulations like GACS Class A will reshape how we think about maintenance, service contracts, and operational control. The market often underestimates how radically data-driven governance will shift roles, responsibilities, and accountability.
While many prepare for what’s already known, I explore what’s structurally inevitable — and help translate that into decisions today.
As the sector faces conflicting data models and rising project fatigue, we focus on long-term clarity: fewer false starts, more foresight. Our goal isn’t just smart buildings, but buildings that stay smart — through regulation, through change, and through deliberate design.
Name: Richard de Ruijter
Job: Lead Smart Buildings
Company: Equans digital
Email: richard@inqu.re
I specialise in the future of data-driven building operations as envisioned by the European Commission. My expertise lies in translating regulatory direction, market developments and operational frameworks into actionable strategies for large organisations. I help technical managers gain control through real-time insights, asset managers strengthen long-term portfolio strategy, and financial managers achieve greater predictability and budget stability. My work bridges the gap between policy, digital capability, and daily operational practice.
Condition Monitoring
Sustainability strategies
BMS Artificial Intelligence
Cybersecurity
Master System Integration
Data Driven Everything
Preparing for the shift to structured, data-driven maintenance as outlined in the anticipated GACS Class A framework. Focused on translating European policy into practical service logic, planning protocols, and compliance tooling across real estate portfolios.
Standardizing the Unified Data Layer (UDL) as the semantic backbone of smart buildings — standardising how systems, sensors and applications exchange structured data. It enables MSIs to build scalable, maintainable and regulation-ready infrastructures across assets and portfolios.
Reframing maintenance from a cost center into a strategic driver of value. This includes aligning building operations with investment and ESG priorities — supported by transparent data, forward-looking contracts, and long-term operational governance.
