The Industry’s Digital Commons, Curated for a Connected Future
For over two decades, AutomatedBuildings.com has been the essential resource for professionals navigating the evolution of intelligent buildings.
We are a curated digital commons where the global community connects to share knowledge, foster innovation, and translate technological complexity into real-world opportunity. We have chronicled the industry’s most profound shifts, from pneumatic and analog control through the DDC revolution, networking and the internet, IT/OT integration, the migration to the cloud, and now the transformative age of AI. Our mission remains what it has always been: to be a catalyst for connections and a curator of the conversations that move this industry forward. As Ken and Jane have for over five decades, we invite you to help write the next chapter.
A 55-Year Journey of Innovation
Our founder, Ken Sinclair, began his journey in 1966 as a student member of ASHRAE and is now a life member. His career mirrors the industry itself, evolving from hands-on roles to pioneering, visionary concepts.
- Foundational Experience. From training at Johnson Controls to managing large buildings and serving as Assistant Energy Analyst for the Province of Alberta, Ken gained a ground-level view of the industry’s needs and potential.
- Pioneering Spirit. In 1975, Ken and his wife Jane co-founded Sinclair Energy Services Ltd., now SES Consulting. They were early adopters of remote work, running computer simulations and energy analysis from one of the first home offices in the industry.
- Groundbreaking Projects. Ken was instrumental in landmark work like the University of Alberta’s 1975 campus-wide DDC system, one of the first of its kind, deepening his expertise in complex building operations.
That practical experience revealed a critical need for a platform to share knowledge and connect the industry. That vision became AutomatedBuildings.com.
Our Mission: Connect, Educate, Transform
We exist to serve the intelligent buildings community, in three ways.
Connect
Bring together the global ecosystem of engineers, manufacturers, facility managers, and technology innovators.
Educate
Curate and publish high-quality articles, interviews, and insights on the trends shaping the industry, from IoT and cloud computing to AI and machine learning.
Transform
Foster conversations that turn emerging ideas into practical solutions, helping our community navigate complexity and capitalize on opportunity.
27 Years of Building Automation History
Explore the largest searchable archive in intelligent buildings. AutomatedBuildings.com has chronicled our industry’s evolution since 1998, from early integration concepts to today’s smart building revolution. Trace the origins of modern practices and discover how today’s innovations were born from yesterday’s breakthroughs.
Access the Archives »Join Our Community
The conversation continues where the industry meets. We host free Industry Education Sessions at major events like the AHR Expo, tackling the most critical themes shaping our future. Explore the site, contribute your voice, and help us build the future of automation.
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