The Environmentally Responsible Choice
Architects Influence Sustainable Choices More Than You Think...
A recent conversation with a manufacturer of architectural framing systems was eye opening. This particular customer offers powder coating at an AAMA 2604 level, but has not yet also added 2605 powders to their portfolio. In a discussion about this very topic, a team member stated that the reason was that architects don’t want 2605 powder because they don’t specify it.
It was such striking contrast to a previous conversation with a prominent architectural firm in the Pacific Northwest, where a team member asked in frustration, ‘but why don’t they offer 2605 powder as an option – we want the more sustainable choice but aren’t being offered it!’.
So what comes first, the chicken or the egg?
Simply adding architectural grade performance powders into the project specification shows demand for a more sustainable performance coating – without compromising on performance, color or warranty – and provides options. If for some reason another performance coating is not available, if provides an option to get the same performance, color and warranty. Of course it also signals demand for a more sustainable coating option – surely part of what sustainable design is about.