The field of building design and construction is constantly evolving, and keeping up with the latest trends is essential for staying ahead in the industry. From innovative building materials and construction methods to advancements in technology and sustainability, there is always something new to learn and integrate into existing workflows. A recent survey by cove.tool examines some key challenges and trends shaping architecture and building product manufacturing. The survey, which includes responses from 100 architects and building product manufacturers, provides invaluable insights into what is most important to both parties in today’s marketplace. This blog dives into the findings of the survey and shares key best practices to streamline processes and drive growth.
Staying Current on the Latest Technologies and Materials
A major shift is occurring in the design and construction industry as newly released regulations and standards prioritize the need to reduce carbon emissions globally. With more attention focused on sustainable building practices, architects are searching for tools and products to help them achieve their building performance goals. According to the cove.tool survey, 52% of architects use newsletters or online sources to stay current on the latest technologies and materials that can improve the sustainability of a building. This means that architects are actively seeking out information on sustainable products. Building product manufacturers looking to increase sales to architects can leverage performance data to validate their products, stand out from competitors, and build stronger relationships with design teams.
Accessing Performance Data for Building Projects
Architects need carbon, cost, and energy performance data to guide their design decisions. However, 90% of architects surveyed struggle to find product performance data for their projects. Building product manufacturers often face a significant challenge in providing performance data to architects due to various factors, such as a lack of time, resources, or expertise in gathering and presenting performance data in a way that satisfies the requirements of architects and other stakeholders.
This is where an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) can provide a considerable advantage for manufacturers. An EPD provides detailed, validated information on a product's environmental impact, including data on energy use, emissions, and materials. This information can be critical for architects, enabling them to make informed decisions on which products to use in a building project. Creating an EPD can be a complex and time-consuming process. Still, it provides building product manufacturers with a valuable tool for communicating the environmental impact of their products to support the design team’s sustainability objectives and drive sales.
Streamlining the Building Material Selection Process
The product selection process for architects is a critical but often time-consuming task, as 69% of architects reported that it takes several weeks to gather the necessary material information for their projects. This delay in information can cause design teams to choose a different product or go back to products they’ve used in the past, which may not meet the current project's requirements or sustainability goals. Moreover, 63% of respondents stated that during the material selection process, they consider 2-3 products before making a final decision. And 34% evaluated three or more. This highlights the importance of providing architects with detailed performance data early in the design process, which builds trust and helps them make design decisions faster.
Final Thoughts
The urgent need to reduce carbon emissions is driving a significant shift in the construction industry. New regulations and standards are encouraging design teams to focus on creating high-performance buildings. To meet this demand, architects need accurate data for building materials to ensure their projects meet performance targets. And building product manufacturers who want to increase sales to architects need to invest in resources, technology, and expertise to gather and report performance data effectively. By providing detailed information on a product's environmental impact, manufacturers can help architects make more informed decisions, speed up the product selection process, support sustainability objectives, improve transparency, and differentiate their products in a crowded market.
To learn how revgen.tool’s simulations can help you provide detailed performance and environmental impact data to design teams, streamline the building material selection process and drive sales visit our site or click here to speak with one of our specialists.