Who Decides on Materials…Architects, or Designers?

A few weeks ago I set out to do have as many conversations as humanly possible with design specifiers, to gauge what they know about laminates, and how the final material decisions are actually made.

The results have been both disturbing and enlightening, but all point to the same issue – the laminates industry still has plenty of work to do.

What I’m finding out is, in general the architect sets the larger design themes, and relies on interior designers to work with the clients and choose materials that meet budget and aesthetic demands.

From a resource librarian at a $300 million commercial architectural firm: “The designer determines the final spec. Everything would be reviewed by the project architect, but they trust the interior designers’ expertise.”

An interior designer for a custom builder says: “The architect makes the initial spec, and when I take that to the client their eyes pop out at the costs. It’s my job then to find materials that the client can afford, and still get the look they want.”

Suppliers of high-value interior materials, take note!

Also please take note of an excellent blog on 3-D laminates: http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/