Short abstract:

Based on an empirical study of four smart university buildings in Lille (France), this paper will examine the promises and failures of the smart infrastructures and imaginaries - or how can users be both distanced and involved?

Long abstract:

Smart technologies such as smart grids and smart buildings, are presented as responses to social and environmental challenges. The aim is to meet the (presumed) aspirations and (standardised) comfort of users, while at the same time responding to strong environmental requirements, whether in terms of energy saving, resource conservation, biodiversity, etc. However, smart technologies are based on an ever-greater distance (technical, operational and symbolic) between the user and the technical infrastructure: the user cannot and must not interfere with the technologies, to ensure their smooth operation and efficiency. Paradoxically, in the « smart » imaginaries, the users are surrounded by technology, and at the same time isolated from it (Reigeluth, 2023). Their environment are invaded by technologies that generate and analyze data, but over which they have no possible means of action, as these are automated and managed by a control center. At the same time, the “smart user” is asked to adapt their practices to the building or to the grid, in order to reach energy saving. How this process of making technical systems invisible and inaccessible could be compatible with the objective of reducing consumption, which requires, on the contrary, making visible the energy used by the physical and sensitive apprehension of technologies, the understanding of the technical system and thus, its appropriation? Based on an empirical study of four smart university buildings in Lille, France (ongoing INCLUNIV research project), this paper will examine the promises and failures of the smart infrastructures and imaginaries.