Better Materials, Managed Digitally

Matt Root | Integrated Eco Strategy
From our vantage point, the next big technology breakthrough in building design and construction is the digitization and full utilization of product information. Currently, details get lost in static PDFs of specifications and construction submittals, Excel spreadsheets, emails, and meeting minutes. We envision a process where project teams identify materials, track, communicate, make decisions, record, and report-out on all products-at any moment in a project lifespan-all while working within a shared software platform. Managing product information in a database-driven platform enables access to answers. How many products listed in the 50% CDs have Health Product Declarations? Why did we use that drywall? How many products on approved submittals were “Made in the USA”? Ultimately, the question is: “Are we getting better?” And a firm can only do this successfully by properly tracking the information.