The Coalition for Smarter Buildings (C4SB) and the Linux Foundation have formed the C4SB Foundation to support technical projects that develop open standards and open-source software for building automation, real estate applications and the lifecycle of buildings.

By harnessing the power of open collaboration, the C4SB Foundation aims to unlock the digital potential of smarter buildings, and to improve the efficiency, sustainability and value of properties worldwide.

Initially formed in 2021, C4SB is a non-profit organisation that brings together domain experts, technology innovators and building owners to accelerate the adoption of smart building technologies. By joining with the Linux Foundation, C4SB aims to enable deeper collaboration and impact across the real estate sector.

Moving forward, the C4SB Foundation will promote open interoperability, more efficient operations and enhanced occupant experiences, while searching for new avenues of innovation. Grounding these efforts in the Linux Foundation’s proven record of open standards and open-source software should ensure building owners maintain control and flexibility over their digital infrastructure.

“Open-source collaboration is crucial to driving innovation across industries, and the move of the C4SB to the Linux Foundation underscores the potential for open source in real estate,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation. “By uniting key players in the building and real estate sectors, we are not only creating a shared framework for interoperability, but also driving sustainable and transformative advancements for the future of smart buildings.”

The C4SB Foundation welcomes initial support from technology, real estate and sustainability-focused organisations, including Bosch Climatec, Cimetrics, Clean Tower Innovations Alliance, Digital Masterplanning, Engenuity Systems, Facil.ai, Onuma, Padi, SkyCentrics, Verdicity, We Write Code, Asset Leadership Network, Building Intelligence Group (BIG) and LonMark International. Together, these organisations will work to support CS4B’s mission to advance interoperability and innovation in building data.

“The fragmented data landscape in the real estate and building management industries has long been a challenge,” said Rick Justis, executive director of C4SB. “By uniting open standards and open-source software under the Linux Foundation, C4SB will empower stakeholders to achieve higher efficiency, transparency and sustainability in the built environment.”

The C4SB Foundation invites real estate professionals, building owners, facilities managers, and technology providers to get involved and help define the future of smart buildings. To learn more about C4SB, including how to become a member, please visit www.c4sb.org.

The Linux Foundation (www.linuxfoundation.org) organises collaboration on open-source software, hardware, standards and data.