Advancing Cognitive Digital Twins for Low-Carbon, High-Performance Buildings
BEACON (the Building Energy Analytics Cognition & Operations Network) at Toronto Metropolitan University is a multidisciplinary research team dedicated to transforming how buildings are designed, operated, and maintained. The group bridges architectural science and data driven engineering to advance Cognitive Digital Twins across building, infrastructure, and city scales.
By integrating data from existing sensor networks, artificial intelligence, and semantic modeling, BEACON develops systems that support decarbonization at scale and improve building performance. This work enables more efficient operations, better retrofit planning, and healthier, more responsive indoor environments.
Our mission is to enable rapid decarbonization of the built environment through AI-informed tools that support operational performance and retrofit planning at scale.
Explore our work
Our Projects
BEACON brings together a portfolio of applied research initiatives that advance Cognitive Digital Twins, building performance, and decarbonization at scale.
Our Facility - Smart Campus Integration and Testing Hub (SCITHub)
BEACON’s flagship facility, SCITHub, is a fully digitally enabled, net zero carbon living lab located on Toronto Metropolitan University’s campus.
This mass timber research facility integrates HVAC, lighting, building envelope, security, IT, and communications systems within a unified data platform. Researchers and partners use the facility to evaluate performance in real time, compare technologies, and refine control strategies that improve efficiency and occupant experience.
Key capabilities include:
- Three parallel all electric HVAC systems
- Diverse space types for human building interaction research
- Three testbeds, including a living lab for simulated building scenarios
Work With Our Team
Led by principal researcher and lab director, Dr. Jenn McArthur, BEACON brings together researchers, students and collaborators across industry, government, and academia to advance smart building research and implementation.
Latest News
Latest Publications and Resources
BEACON contributes to advancing knowledge in smart buildings, digital twins, and low carbon systems through peer reviewed research and applied outputs. Explore recent publications and resources that support industry, policy and academic communities.
Authors: MS Kandil, JJ McArthur
Publication: Energy and Buildings
Authors: M Fatehijananloo, JJ McArthur
Publication: Buildings
Authors: JJ McArthur, S Dunne, SB Ivory
Publication: Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility