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Architecture is often framed as a balance between creative inspiration and technical execution — sketching ideas, refining concepts and ultimately turning vision into built reality. The persistent presence of the quote famously attributed to Mies van der Rohe, “Architecture starts when you put two bricks together. There it begins,” encapsulates this conception. Meanwhile, though architects are unlikely to dabble in actual construction (few architects can claim expertise in bricklaying), the design process stretches far beyond the drafting table, shaped not just by musings on form and function but by material choices, construction methods and budgetary realities.
Indeed, while clients and the general public often admire the final product, the behind-the-scenes process of material specification remains largely invisible. It’s an essential, yet understated, part of architectural practice. And as the profession embraces 21st-century advancements — digital platforms replacing print journals, parametric modeling refining design and globalized workflows transforming collaboration — one quiet revolution has been reshaping how architects specify materials and products. It’s a shift that doesn’t just influence design decisions but fundamentally changes how projects come to life.
From Showroom to Screen: How Material Specification Is Changing
Visualization of an Office Building | Courtesy of Material Bank
Traditionally, material selection has been rooted in tactile experience. Architects would visit showrooms, touch samples and scrutinize finishes under natural light. After all, photographs can be misleading — what appears as a warm oak veneer on screen might read cold and flat in person. Many architects still insist that physical samples are indispensable for final decisions, with case studies and site visits providing critical context for how materials perform in the real world. Relationships with product representatives further streamline the process, offering tailored recommendations, project-specific customization and quick access to samples.
Even still, digital platforms have profoundly reshaped the early stages of discovery. Architects now turn first to online resources to explore products, compare options and gather documentation. This shift is particularly pronounced among younger professionals, for whom digital search is second nature. Manufacturers that fail to embrace this evolution risk fading into the background, while those who invest in digital visibility — paired with responsive, real-world engagement — are emerging as leaders. In particular, Material Bank has revolutionized sampling by centralizing this process so that architects no longer need to bounce from site to site. On top of this, they offer overnight delivery of curated swatches from a range of manufacturers, reducing the need for showroom visits.
Introducing Digital Catalog: A Central Hub for Material Data Beyond Samples
Mock-up of Material Bank’s Digital Catalog
The latest leap in this ongoing transformation comes from Material Bank’s Digital Catalog, an offer designed to expand product categories and address inefficiencies in material search and specification. Built with the goal of eventually housing data from over 50,000 building product brands in the industry, Digital Catalog aspires to be the most comprehensive resource for material information, technical documentation and product availability — all within a single, user-friendly interface.
This industry-first solution offers a suite of powerful features tailored to the needs of AEC professionals:
- Centralized Data Repository: Access spec sheets, BIM files, visual assets, sustainability certifications, and more without juggling multiple platforms.
- Effortless Navigation: An intuitive search interface simplifies browsing, filtering, and data management.
- Project Central Integration:Provides workflow tools for organizing inspiration, enabling design collaboration, facilitating material research, sampling, and selection.
- Side-by-Side Comparisons: Easily compare product attributes and generate custom reports.
- Easy Quoting: One-click quote requests streamline cost estimation.
- Direct Communication: A dedicated inbox fosters real-time collaboration between architects and manufacturers.
The need for such a platform is clear. According to the AIA’s annual Journey to Specification report, more than half of architects seek technical descriptions, product specs, CAD/BIM files and pricing as the most important information when evaluating materials. Yet many report dissatisfaction with manufacturers’ websites, citing poor information availability and difficult navigation. Recent research conducted through Qualtrics underscores this frustration: 9 out of 10 licensed architects expressed a desire for a centralized product data hub.
Empowering Architects with Real-Time Insights
Mock-up of Material Bank’s Digital Catalog
For thousands of architects and designers, Digital Catalog is already integrating into their workflows and enhancing project outcomes. “We established the vision to help AEC professionals by enhancing information efficiency and transparency,” explains Manwen Li, Senior Director of Product at Material Bank. “Our mission is to provide an effective platform that seamlessly connects them with building product brands. Every hour spent searching for product documents is an hour lost in transforming space for humanity.”
By leveraging real-time access to reliable, standardized data, Digital Catalog not only accelerates decision-making but also supports sustainable design practices. From material selection to final specification, the platform fosters collaboration across project teams, ensuring that architects, designers, and contractors operate from the same playbook.
“In the era of AI, our goal is to lead and define expertise in the development of product data,” Li states. “By harnessing this data, we empower the AEC industry to transform spaces with greater intelligence and efficiency, from concept to completion.” Since the launch, Digital Catalog is already partnering with leading brands like CertainTeed, Cemex, Trex, and 3M to move the program forward.
Redefining the Future of Material Specification
Modern School Building | Courtesy of Material Bank
Material Bank’s Digital Catalog represents more than just a searchable database — it’s aiming to become a transformative tool that bridges the gap between inspiration and execution. By consolidating product data, facilitating direct communication and enabling smarter decision-making, it redefines how architects engage with the materials that shape their designs.
As architecture increasingly embraces digital workflows, platforms like Material Bank are setting new standards for efficiency, collaboration and innovation. For architects navigating the complexities of modern practice, the future of material specification is here — streamlined, connected and more intuitive than ever.
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Featured image: Visualization of a Museum | Featured courtesy of Material Bank
The post Beyond Samples: The Digital Revolution Reshaping Material Specification in Architecture appeared first on Journal.
In a restful environment, materials shape perception, which is why Loqa’s Unfired Circular Tile, with its artisanal texture and a guilt-free footprint, is the perfect choice. Formed from 85% industrial waste — ceramics, glass and fly ash — and no high-temperature firing, each tile cuts carbon emissions while boasting 106% more strength than conventional choices. The result is a textured finish that evokes calm and supports a truly sustainable retreat.
Nodding to Morris Lapidus’s mid-century flair, Hydro Systems’ Lido Freestanding Bathtub goes beyond the average oval tub to become a sculptural focal point in any spa-inspired interior. The gently dipping 1.5-inch deck allows effortless entry, while a 31-degree back slope and HydroLuxeSS™ material deliver the kind of indulgent soak that can confidently be specified for daily restoration. Optional hydro therapies — Cold Plunge, Hydro Indulge or Thermal Air — push the experience further.
BuzziCee is an acoustic seating concept that hushes the open-plan clamor with upcycled materials and soft geometry. Paired with BuzziPlanter — a lush, sustainable vessel for greenery — this duo turns shared spaces into zones for calm, connectivity and collaboration. BuzziSpace proves that well-being can be built right into the furniture with nature and noise control.
Stone Forest’s Facet Bathtub is made of natural stone to offer a soul-healing centerpiece. Hand-carved over three weeks from single blocks of Antique Gray Limestone or Noce Basalt each ovoid tub absorbs the ambient room temperature to turn a simple soak into an immersive, spa-like experience. Subtle planes and squared ends also provide both architectural flair and functional rest.
Architects looking to dissolve the line between indoors and out will find VetraSpan-L’s uninterrupted 50-foot expanse irresistible. Free of vertical joints or bulky frames, Sentech’s structural glass system amplifies openness to provide uninterrupted vistas. The result is an uncluttered façade that concentrates the focus on the view, not the hardware.
Ceilings can be an underutilized surface, but Pure + FreeForm’s ceiling products make them work harder with seamless, noncombustible panels. Made from at least 20% post-consumer content and free of off-gassing, these refined ceiling baffles help create a calm and health-conscious environment. By finishing to exacting tolerances, the system ensures architects can shape sanctuaries without sacrificing performance or sustainability.
Cosentino’s Dekton® Pietra Kode is the epitome of timeless Italian stone, yet, it is ideal for modern wellness-focused interiors, without the upkeep or carbon footprint of its quarried cousins. Reinterpreted by Daniel Germani, each color retains the grounded serenity of Vicenza, Travertine or Ceppo di Gré yet stands up to everyday demands indoors or out. It is a product that is carbon-neutral, ultra-compact surface that provides quiet luxury with lasting peace of mind.
Turf’s new Wall Scapes turn noise control into an artful statement, layering a double panel system in carved motifs that evoke farmland, forest peaks and waves. Each pattern is cut and configured so the gaps become part of the design. With up to 0.4 NRC for acoustic relief, these large-scale panels bring a calming presence with a dash of visual intrigue. A simple yet effective solution.
Luxxbox’s Cono pendant hushes background clamor while delivering warm, targeted illumination — exactly what’s needed in a lounge or private nook designed for peaceful conversation. Crafted from renewable wool on a PET shell, it is a multifunctional solution that merges acoustic performance with excellent lighting. Whether hung alone or in clusters, Cono is a brilliant all-rounder product.
Rustic terracotta rarely feels this contemporary. Italica takes an age-old aesthetic and elevates it for modern projects that demand both comfort and practicality. Five earthy tones — from volcanic reds to salty neutrals — let architects shift between large-format expanses or smaller, modular tiles. By harnessing the strength of porcelain stoneware, Italica enables a stress-free design that respects tradition while encouraging everyday calm.
Because nothing kills a quiet space faster than a door that scrapes or squeaks open, CRL’s 690/695 Sliding Door System glides with near-silent grace. A single advanced soft-brake mechanism hushes movement across broad glass spans while the minimal 2.5-inch header all but disappears, letting the architecture speak for itself. In any space aimed at genuine repose, this door helps keep the outside world firmly at bay.
Carving serenity from natural timber, the Seyun Collection by Zaha Hadid Design brings calm curves into any environment. Commissioned by Karimoku, the sculptural chairs, stools and tables pair digital precision with hand-finished warmth that’s both visually fluid and physically ergonomically supportive. Sustainably sourced and assembled with minimal waste, each piece aligns with an architect’s pursuit of tranquil, earth-friendly design.
As much as they might try plants, on their own, can’t do everything, but that’s where CSI Creative’s Bio-Acoustic Claypot Wall Panel comes in to help. Combining serious sound-dampening with botanic design, the recycled felt and terracotta wall planters referenced from African craft, integrate greenery in a modular recoverable system that architects and designers can install without the need for a horticulture degree. The result is a visually tactile surface that balances cultural authenticity and acoustic performance.