This year marks a pretty big milestone in the world of building automation – KNX is turning 35. That’s three-and-a-half decades of shaping the way our buildings think, feel and respond.

For anyone in the industry, that kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when a standard is built on solid foundations, adapts with the times and keeps proving its worth year after year.

A quick look back

The KNX story begins in Belgium, where the KNX Association was founded in 1990. But its roots go back even further, to the late ‘80s, when a few pioneering European manufacturers realised that buildings needed a universal “language” to connect all the different systems – lighting, blinds, heating, security, you name it.

Back then, every manufacturer was pushing their own proprietary solution, which meant you were locked into one vendor, one range of products and one way of doing things.

The design intent of KNX was refreshingly simple: Create an open, vendor-neutral protocol that anyone could use, and make sure it would always remain backwards compatible. That way, buildings could evolve and grow, without leaving their technology behind.

Proprietary systems: A cautionary tale

If you’ve been around long enough, you’ve seen plenty of ‘flash-in-the-pan’ automation systems. They launch with fanfare, push a closed ecosystem and then quietly disappear a few years later when the company changes strategy or folds altogether.

The problem with proprietary systems is that they don’t protect the end user’s investment. When the vendor walks away, so does the support, spare parts and upgrade path.

KNX has never fallen into that trap. Its commitment to backwards compatibility is legendary. Products installed decades ago still talk to the latest ones being installed today. That continuity is a big reason why architects, engineers and integrators trust it for serious projects.

One system, infinite possibilities

From an environmental perspective, this “one system” approach is gold. Think about it: Instead of ripping out entire systems when technology changes, you can just add or replace components. Instead of being stuck with one brand, you can combine products from over 500 manufacturers, all tested and certified to work together. That reduces electronic waste, saves energy, and extends the life of buildings.

And then there’s the control side – KNX can manage lighting, HVAC, blinds, metering, security and more, all from the same backbone. It means less duplication, fewer devices, and far more efficient outcomes.

Leading by example

Another reason KNX has lasted so long is its governance. The KNX Association has always prioritised standardisation and transparency. That highly structured approach has inspired other industries as well. Just look at the DALI Alliance – its shift to an open, standardised approach to lighting control clearly borrowed pages from the KNX playbook.

Bus systems work best when they are stable, predictable and future-proof. KNX proved that the model works and now others are copying it.

The Australian story

Here in Australia, KNX adoption is still in its early days compared to Europe. Our market has been dominated by proprietary systems for a long time and change doesn’t happen overnight. But the shift is happening. The integrators, consultants and developers who understand KNX today are already ahead of the curve. They’re winning jobs by offering clients something that’s open, sustainable and supported worldwide.

For building owners, that means peace of mind: they’re not tied to one supplier, and their systems won’t become obsolete in five years. For integrators, it means working with the widest possible toolkit – any device, any function, one protocol.

Why 35 years matter

It’s rare in our industry to see a technology last this long and still feel fresh. The fact that KNX is celebrating 35 years isn’t just a nice round number – it’s proof that the model works. It’s proof that collaboration beats lock-in. It’s proof that when you build for the long term, everyone wins: Manufacturers, integrators, building owners and the environment.

So as KNX moves into its next chapter, the message for Australia is clear: This is no longer just a “European standard”. It’s a global one. And those who get on board now are going to be well-placed to lead the market for decades to come.