The American Institute of Architects (AIA) released a report that explores architects’ specification needs and closely examines the importance of collaboration between architects and product manufacturers. The report, titled “The Architect’s Journey to Specification,” considers three main categories of research: collaboration between manufacturers and architects, new product adoption, and sustainable product specification.
The research provides insights for architects and product manufacturers alike.
The voices behind the data: decision-making design professionals
The report draws conclusions from an electronic survey, with 92 percent of respondents being licensed architects, firm principals, or partners. Forty-five percent of respondents work in firms with under 10 employees, 25 percent come from firms of between 10 and 49 employees, and 30 percent come from firms of 50 or more employees.
Collaboration in specification
How architects research products
According to the report, when architects research materials for specification, they use multiple channels with 86 percent contacting manufacturer representatives as a part of this process, and 34 percent using this action as their first step. The importance of manufacturers having project information readily available and accessible is clear, with 85 percent of respondents visiting manufacturer websites and 82 percent reviewing manufacturer-provided technical product information. These are the most prominent figures answering the question of where architects seek technical guidance, highlighting the importance of clarity and communication on the manufacturer’s side.
Notably, respondents from small firms are more likely to turn to external sources of information like technical consultants, distributors, and peers from other firms. Meanwhile, respondents from larger firms are much more likely to consult with colleagues within their firms on product specification.
Knowledge supporting architects’ specification needs
In seeking support from manufacturer representatives, members of firms of all sizes highly value a deep product knowledge. Large-sized firm members tend to also seek local and general code compliance advice, as well as product comparisons relative to their designs.
Another notable trend in what architecture professionals look for from manufacturers, people who have been in the industry for less than 20 years tend to seek information on comparable products the most.
Integrating new product innovations into projects
While the vast majority of responding architects (87 percent) depend on manufacturer guidance for unfamiliar products, very few (24 percent) show interest in being involved in product development. In fact, the majority of respondents (70 percent) prefer to refrain from using new products until various channels of information are available about the materials’ proven quality.
Additionally, 66 percent of survey respondents prefer to specify products manufactured in the U.S. This is a result of stable, predictable supply chains. In terms of their practical application of this preference, 71 percent are more likely to use domestically produced materials. Both economic and sustainable advantages are a factor to this response.
In terms of sustainable progress, the majority of respondents (78 percent) want to specify more sustainable products, though 71 percent find accurate environmental impact evaluation challenging.
The report also shows that in 2025, 13 percent more architects reported making environmentally preferable product recommendations to clients than in 2020. Interestingly, architects reported that energy efficiency remains the highest priority when specifying environmentally preferable materials. This factor supports both environmental sustainability and cost-efficiency for building owners, indicating that in this respect that the green choice is also the best for ongoing financial sustainability.
The second highest priority for architects’ specifications of sustainable materials concerns human impact, meaning occupant health and wellbeing. Architects look for materials that allow building environments where occupants can trust their physical and mental health is supported.
Understanding the function, impact, and origin of materials helps architects create designs that perform and meet clients’ goals. Reflecting on the scope of goals and processes of American architects gives industry professionals a look into material progress in the built environment. From the results of “The Architect’s Journey to Specification,” it is clear that architects depend heavily on manufacturers for product information, seeking product knowledge, codes and standards information, and comparable products. When specifying, American architects tend to prefer American-made products. The majority of architects want to specify sustainably, though the majority also feels a need for more accurate accessible environmental impact information in the market at large.
