What challenges are facing architects today when it comes to product specification? How are they tackling them? And what can manufacturers do to help? Building Design surveyed over 300 architects to find out. Here we share a snippet of our findings
Of all the industry professions, architects in particular require wide-ranging general knowledge of the sectors in which they specialise. They need good knowledge of building regulations and sector-specific requirements including building bulletins for education and building notes for healthcare.
Where do architects turn for information to help them meet the challenges they face? Manufacturers’ technical information is the most popular source of information, with 87% saying they frequently use this. Prior experience of products is the second most used source of information.
Most architects, 69%, would like manufacturers to do more to help them make informed specification decisions. The highest number, 22%, say they want better technical information, including faster and easier access to technical helplines and more detailed technical drawings and allied information.
Information on products’ interface with other parts of the building was cited as being useful by several architects and 19% want more and better-quality case studies.
This includes case studies where products have been in use for an extended time without issues and in difficult climates. They’d also like better images and testimonials from clients and project delivery teams.
Industry confidence in the claims that manufacturers make for their products has been shaken by findings in the Hackett review and revelations from the Grenfell inquiry.
We asked which information sources are most trusted by architects. Product certification is the most trusted according to 82% of architects and 68% say they have near or full confidence in manufacturers’ technical information, which is good news for manufacturers
Marketing literature comes bottom of the confidence ratings with only 13% of architects saying they have near or full confidence.
What would give architects more confidence in the products that they specify? Some 87% say independent testing would give them near or total confidence. Surprisingly, the new construction products regulator inspires less confidence than other measures – such as independent and more rigorous testing, longer guarantees and more detailed manufacturers’ technical information.
Request a comprehensive breakdown of the data that has been released in Building Design’s Product Specification Report 2022 here.
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