ARCHITECT‘s Katharine Keane reports that Dutch architect and UNStudio practice co-founder Ben van Berkel, Hon. FAIA, has launched UNSense, a startup and innovation platform dedicated to researching and developing sensor-based technology for cities, buildings, and indoor environments.
“The digital revolution is driving change in every part of our lives, except within the built environment,” van Berkel wrote in a blog post announcing the new company. “I believe the time has now come for architecture and the building industry to catch up.”
Though UNSense will operate as an independent sister company to UNStudio, van Berkel predicts that any innovations by the startup will inform the work of the Amsterdam-based architectural practice. UNStudio associate director of new business Roger Tan will be responsible for running the startup, which will be located in an innovation hub in Amsterdam.
