The Hidden Microbiome Living Inside Every Building

Propmodo Technology

Greetings,

The big tech story this week is the antitrust ruling against Google’s dominance in internet search. Instead of breaking up the company, as some expected, the judge ordered Google to share its search data with rivals and to pay for the privilege of being the default search engine on non-Google devices. Markets cheered the decision: Google’s stock climbed more than 8 percent on the news.

For PropTech, the ruling signals that courts are paying attention when tech companies restrict access to data. At the same time, it shows regulators are favoring lighter remedies over structural breakups. For now, companies should be mindful of how they structure data-sharing agreements, but they don’t need to fear being dismantled by court order.

This week we’re also looking at building health. Air quality has long been central to healthy design, with buildings routinely tracking particulate matter and CO₂. Now a new DARPA initiative is expanding the focus to bacteria. The program envisions mapping building microbiomes to better understand how pathogens spread indoors. One day soon, buildings may be able to monitor and manage microbial ecosystems as easily as they measure temperature or humidity—potentially preventing outbreaks before they start.

Let’s go!

Propmodo Playbook

Data Driven Strategies for Office to Residential Conversion Success

For office building owners and investors, the key to a successful conversion lies in knowing which properties will truly deliver returns. Buildings with the right dimensions, elevator access, and natural light can unlock new residential value, while outdated systems or structural limitations can quietly erode profits. Market dynamics matter just as much, with vacancy rates, housing demand, and local incentives shaping which cities offer the best opportunities. Watch the webinar to hear directly from the people who are building successful conversions and reshaping office space into housing.

Bytes

🧊 Ice bath
A study by Texas A&M has shown the potential of lowering peak energy use in buildings by utilizing “ice batteries.”

🏭️ Built different
Reframe Systems has raised $20 million to scale its AI-powered microfactories that cut housing construction time by a third, aiming to deliver climate-ready homes at speed and scale.

🥊 MLSs strike back
The nation’s biggest MLS has announced that it will start to sell its proprietary tech tools to the larger brokerage industry.

Overheard

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Propmodo Technology is edited by Franco Faraudo with contributions from readers like you and the Propmodo team.

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