In Episode 5 of Surroundscapes Season 6, host Graeme Harrison reconnects with Scott Simpson, Director of Business Development for AVI-SPL’s Experience Technology Group (XTG), to discuss sustainability and the evolving role of AV in smart buildings.
With decades of experience ranging from control programming to large-scale experiential projects, Simpson highlights how AV professionals are uniquely positioned to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment. Buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, and AV integrators can play a critical role in shifting that number through power management, system design, and creative integration with other building technologies.
Simpson shares stories from projects like Portland’s Living Building and the LED installations at PDX Airport, showing how strategies such as daylight harvesting, content-aware energy management, and innovative rack cooling solutions can significantly cut energy consumption. He also points to advances in AI, machine learning, and e-paper displays as tools that will help make AV systems more efficient and responsive.
A central theme of the conversation is breaking down silos. By collaborating with mechanical engineers, architects, and IT, AV teams can move beyond being seen as an “add-on” and instead act as the eyes and ears of the building—providing essential data to inform smarter, more sustainable operations.
As the industry shifts toward hybrid work, wellness-certified buildings, and more dynamic, multi-purpose spaces, Simpson emphasizes the opportunity for integrators to think beyond traditional meeting rooms. From activity-based work zones to biophilic soundscapes, the role of AV is expanding into every aspect of the user experience.
“Sustainability is no longer just about supply chains or packaging,” Simpson notes. “It’s about how we design, integrate, and use AV systems as part of the building ecosystem.”
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