Here’s the million dollar questions so many building product manufacturers are trying to answer: Where do architects go for green information?
The funny thing about green is that architects have in some ways surrendered expertise. Green building is expanding so quickly that one cannot expect the average architect to keep up with every new product, building method or certification.
Enter the emergence of third-party online resources. These are the people and sites propelling the green movement by providing up-to-date information on every green topic imaginable. But are architects using them?
We know you get Arch Record every month. Maybe you read Architect. But these pubs only focus on green one month out of the year. Maybe you’re now reading eco-structure, GreenSource or Environmental Design & Construction. But as quickly as the green building product industry and certifications continue to evolve, is an update once a month enough?
I still read these pubs each month, but I’m online everyday, looking for the latest news and best products. I suspect architects are doing the same. There is an endless list of online green resources, and sifting through it can be daunting and time consuming. But once you lock in on the best of the best, you have a constant, unrivaled up-to-date stream of all things green.
From product databases to blogs, when you need to spec a recyclable wall cladding or recycled countertops, nothing is more immediate or thorough as the internet. What separated print from online was the journalism behind in-depth case studies and industry profiles. However, blogs such as Jetson Green are quickly closing the gap, providing well-written articles of their own.
We know architect product libraries are becoming dated and unreliable, especially for green building. We know there are just too many benefits to the online world to deny it’s influence: downloadable specs, BIM, online continuing education. We also know that Google is where many architects turn for that first piece of information.
The question is, where are you going next?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Great Post! As an LD I struggle to keep up with products as they roll out. I certainly have the blogs I read, and generally product reps are good about keeping me informed. But unless I touch turn it on and light up a wall in my office with it, I won’t spec it. It can be really hard to keep up. In my next life I’m going to review lighting fixtures for a living.
Just wanted to mention that Environmental Building News (buildinggreen.com) seems to be THE most established, credible source for green building product information and news. I’ve been using their database and specs since I started in the green building industry 6 years ago, and if you’re a green building product manufacturer, you need to be listed here. Most folks in the CA green building industry use this site. As for publications, I like your list but also like reading Sustainable Industries Journal and Cascadia GBC’s new online mag Trim Tab.
I get most of my “news” from blogs and the like. Twitter is a great resource to find these resources.
Believe it or not, architects are also getting their green info from their networks, their alma maters, and through a host of required continuing education resources (including you building manufacturers). In fact, the AIA has made sustainability an educational requirement for all architects starting this year! We provide online courses on sustainability and greenbuilding through our education site http://www.redvector.com , but many manufacturers are using companies like us to create online learning programs that they can host on their own websites. I hope that helps
Mike,
I completely agree, and continuing education is something I’m very familiar with as our agency produces courses as well. But many architects view con ed strictly as a requirement and many just want to satisfy those credits and get it over with as quickly as possible. Perhaps other architects here can chime in their thoughts on con ed, or maybe it’s a blog post for another time?