For decades, the construction industry followed a familiar rhythm: design came first, materials followed. The pressing need for sustainable buildings has shattered this routine. Material selection is no longer an afterthought, but a critical decision made at the outset, with the potential to dramatically reduce a project's environmental footprint. This shift is even more crucial given the construction industry's appetite for raw materials – a staggering 3 billion tons extracted annually. To navigate this new landscape, digital material libraries and data-driven evaluation are emerging as powerful tools, creating a culture where materiality takes center stage to shape a more sustainable built environment.
Traditionally, material selection often occurred late in the design process, limiting its potential impact on a project's sustainability. However, this approach is rapidly changing. Kika Brockstedt, Co-Founder & CEO of Revalu explains, "The earlier this evaluation can happen, the higher the impact, meaning as a decision-maker and planner can reduce up to 75% of the embodied carbon, by comparing different scenarios early on". Delaying material evaluation minimizes impact and inflates costs, turning it from a driver of change into a mere reporting exercise.
