The entry into force of the Building Modernisation Act (GModG) on 29 July 2026 will lead to a significant expansion of requirements for building automation in non-residential buildings. In particular, Section 56 GModG now defines comprehensive stipulations for building automation, energy monitoring, indoor climate quality and automatic lighting controls. Previously, comparable provisions applied primarily to large non-residential buildings with a heating or cooling capacity exceeding 290 kW. In future, buildings with a capacity of more than 70 kW will already be covered.
This change means that numerous office, administrative and commercial buildings will fall within the scope of legal requirements for the first time. For electrical and building services engineers, as well as project developers, this necessitates integrating the provisions of the GModG into their planning processes at an early stage. Gira presents practical room automation solutions on its website that are based on the requirements of Section 56 GModG, DIN/TS 18599-11, and ISO 52120, demonstrating concrete solutions for lighting, shading, heating, cooling, and technical building management.
Impact on New Builds and Existing Buildings
For new builds with more than 70 kW heating or cooling capacity, the GModG demands digital energy monitoring technology, indoor climate quality monitoring, the networking of building services systems, and at least automation level C according to DIN/TS 18599-11. For non-residential buildings exceeding 290 kW, at least automation level B is mandatory. A further requirement of Section 56 GModG for new builds and existing buildings over 70 kW is automatic lighting control, for instance, using presence detectors in appropriate zoning. Lighting must therefore be controlled automatically depending on the use of a room.
This regulation leads to a concrete need for retrofitting in many existing buildings. Implementation must generally take place by 31 December 2029, provided there is no proven uneconomical justification. The requirements for energy monitoring will also affect new and existing buildings in the future. Energy consumption and building services systems must be continuously monitored, evaluated, and made available via suitable interfaces. In existing buildings, this presents a challenge due to differing meter structures, systems, and communication protocols, which must be integrated into a common monitoring system. For existing systems, retrofitting deadlines of up to ten years from installation may apply.
Planning Support and Added Value
The implementation of the legal requirements, which describe the necessary building functions, begins in the early HOAI (Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers) service phases. Here, specialist planners and project developers must coherently combine legal requirements, investment costs, user demands, ESG goals, funding opportunities, and building concepts. To support this complex task, Gira provides extensive planning and working materials. These include, among others:
- —Functional diagrams and functional descriptions
- —Tender specifications and equipment parts lists
- —Exposé texts and product images
- —BIM and GAEB data
The provided documentation serves as a basis for HOAI service phases 2 to 5 and aims to enable a documented, traceable, and standards-compliant implementation of the requirements. Gira’s offered solutions do not exclusively focus on meeting minimum legal requirements but also demonstrate how energy efficiency, operational safety, and user comfort can be combined. This includes presence and constant light controls, intelligent sun protection functions, adaptive lighting controls, system monitoring, and cross-discipline room automation concepts in accordance with ISO 52120-1. For the implementation of energy monitoring, Gira additionally recommends the product Sheet4Q from 4ba GmbH as a management level for recording, evaluating, and visualising energy data.
Gira Akademie will shed light on the topic of GModG together with Prof. Dr. Michael Krödel from IGT – Institute for Building Technology in an online seminar on 20 January 2027. The seminar is aimed at relevant stakeholders such as electrical and building services engineers, project developers, consulting engineers, operators of non-residential buildings, and specialist trades, and will discuss the implications of Section 56 GModG for planning, building automation, and energy monitoring in new and existing buildings. A recording of the seminar will be available afterwards.
