In Selargius, just outside Cagliari, Studio Castello Engineering has created the first digital condominium in Sardinia, powered by ABB smart building technology.

The project is an example of how digitalisation can transform residential living, improving comfort and safety while reducing energy use and simplifying building management.

The development forms part of a wider urban regeneration plan for the Is Corrias district, originally built in the 1970s with limited planning. Over the past decade, Studio Castello Engineering has led a multi-phase transformation of the area in collaboration with the KNX Association and ANACI Sardegna, the national association for condominium and real-estate administrators.

This long-term programme has delivered more residential spaces, upgraded road infrastructure and improved green public areas, making the neighbourhood more comfortable, connected and sustainable for the community.

In this renewed setting, the digital condominium uses ABB (www.abb.com) smart buildings technology to automate and manage common areas. For example

• InSite energy management system to monitor and control centrally the energy flows in the condominium
• Dali-2 smart lighting adjusts to occupancy and daylight levels, ensuring lights are only used when needed
• KNX Mini Premium presence detectors in stairwells and shared spaces help avoid energy waste and improve safety for residents
• Zenit design range of light switches, pushbuttons and socket outlets made in ABB’s Mission to Zero site in Oiartzun, Spain

To support renewable energy use, the building’s photovoltaic (PV) system is connected through a KNX Modbus gateway, enabling real-time visibility of energy production. A KNX weather station also feeds live climate data into the system, helping optimise performance based on changing outdoor conditions.

All systems are managed through ABB’s InSite energy management system and its SCU100 control unit provides insights for more efficient energy use and predictive maintenance. The system also integrates with Digital Place, ANACI Sardegna’s digital platform for centralised condominium management, simplifying administration and providing transparency for building managers and residents.

Special attention was also given to installation quality and ease of use. The development features the ABB Zenit compact push-button panels, chosen for their durability, versatility and ease of maintenance.

“The developments in Is Corrias reflect our long-term vision and ambition for urban transformation,” said Alessio Lovina, engineer at Studio Castello Engineering (www.castelloassociati.com). “The digital condominium was designed to provide high living comfort, significant energy savings and a lower environmental impact. We selected reliable, high-performance solutions that make the building efficient, easy to manage and built to last.”

This project highlights how a coordinated approach to design, digitalisation and technology can make residential buildings more efficient and user-friendly, with benefits for both residents and administrators.

The Selargius development now stands as a scalable model for smart living in the residential sector, reinforcing ABB’s commitment to making buildings smarter, more sustainable and ready for the future.