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INDUSTRY VIEWFINDER
was endorsed by a majority of 56%, however 31% said they were ‘unsure.’ There was a lack of clarity on whether it was possible to combine design certifi cations on one project, but most respondents believed it was diffi cult to some degree – half thought it was ‘somewhat diffi cult’ while a further 21% said it was ‘very diffi cult.’ And a sizeable 14% believed that it was ‘impossible.’ The comprehensive, in-depth, real time certifi cation of a building post-construction is a challenge to achieve in practice, meaning further investment of time, money, and potentially staff onboarding, but it can prove beyond all doubt the veracity of a project’s design claims. The diffi culties are suggested by our fi nding that 43% of our respondents said they were not using it on their commercial projects. However, a positive fi nding of 21% saying they were shows that it is possible, and that many clients are going to the next level to ensure their certifi cations are credible on an ongoing basis.
Manufacturer information
Sourcing information from manufacturers on products is one of the key means of ensuring that projects can meet their sustainability certifi cations in a reliable way. We asked respondents how they were doing this, and most (57%) said that CPDs were their main source of information, followed by more sustainability-specifi c EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations), individual Design Details, and specifi c conformity information relating to the accreditation (36% and 29%). However, many (28%) were using more general performance information on the products, and 21% were using performance guarantees.
Our respondents gave some revealing answers to the question of whether they have experienced challenges in getting objective advice on products’ ability to contribute to certifi cation. This is understandable, given the vast range of products concerned in any building project, but also somewhat indicative of a wider industry problem of credibility of advice when it comes to product information. Three-quarters of our cohort said they have encountered challenges on this front, meaning that more focus
The results also showed that architects believed that ESG was the key reason for corporate clients to pursue the route of investing in robust certifi cation
needs to be put into initiatives such as the new Construction Products Regulator which is set up to increase the robustness of the product certifi cation system, but broadening this beyond its safety remit to a wider performance framework.
Conclusion
Our research supported the belief that sustainability accreditation is a powerful tool in the commercial sector facilities for designers and clients alike, as well as highlighting the challenges. Architects revealed how they are tackling these, from the investment needed to the diffi culties of certifying buildings.
The results also showed that architects believed that ESG was the key reason for these often major corporate clients to pursue the route of investing in robust certifi cation to prove the sustainability credentials of their projects as a market differentiator. Our survey shows how the return on investment can be substantial, up to 20% in some cases, which is a compelling case for clients. With many commercial sectors becoming more and more competitive, attracting and retaining the right staff is a fundamental business imperative. Providing them with measurably good, healthy environments in which they can work and function more healthily as well as more productively is seen as a major plank of business, and architects and others in the design community are benefi tting from these drivers.
For the full version of the Industry Viewfi nder white paper report, visit
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ADF FEBRUARY 2025
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