Landmark study provides roadmap to enhancing architect-manufacturer relationship

WASHINGTON – Dec. 20, 2018 – A new study published today by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) sheds new light on the critical relationships building product manufacturers and architects share in creating better outcomes for building owners and occupants.

“The architect’s role in specifying products is well-known in the construction industry,” said AIA EVP and Chief Operating Officer Robert Ivy, FAIA. “Feedback from The Architect’s Journey to Specification gives manufacturers a better understanding of an architect’s process for specifying products and how they can support them. Acting on this feedback can help architects in the design process and help manufacturers to provide more attractive offerings in the marketplace.”

The Architect’s Journey to Specification: Rethinking the Role Between Architects and Manufacturers provides ground-breaking research into the preferences, habits and attitudes of architects in their roles as specifiers of building products. Major findings from the study include a need for:

  • Forming partnerships between architects and manufacturers and recognizing them as valuable to their careers.
  • Developing an understanding on the role architects want manufacturers to play and how that can enhance specification outcomes.
  • Formulating a mutually beneficial expectation for partnerships and their outcomes.
  • Redoubling efforts to create partnerships between architects and manufacturers despite a changing market and nuanced demands.
  • Being responsive and helping architects solve wider challenges than just product selection and specification.
  • Creating transparency to build relationships with architects.
  • Rethinking how and why reps provide advice to architects.
  • Understanding and meeting the needs of architects on manufacturer websites.

“This report has major implications for manufacturers of building and construction materials,” said AIA Managing Director of Corporate Partnerships John Crosby. “The detailed  results provide a roadmap for future engagement with architects in order to gain preference in specification choices. The ability to filter the data online makes this report a necessary planning resource.”

The 43-page report and the online data dashboard are available to manufacturers for $1,499 and may be purchased by contacting AIA at partnership@aia.org. AIA Corporate Partners receive the report at no cost.

A special executive summary is also available for download.

Learn more about the AIA Corporate Partnership Program on AIA’s website.