By Matt Root
Living Future 2024 (LF24), hosted by Living Future in the bustling capital of Atlanta, Georgia, proved to be a wellspring of insight and inspiration. With industry leaders offering their expertise on pressing issues—climate, health, equity, and innovation—LF24 was an event buzzing with a call for action oriented solutions. Requiring more than academic participation or dependency on technological innovation, this is a radical concept imploring us to evaluate and change our behaviors—holding ourselves accountable to the future by being solicitous of the decisions we make today.
Reflecting on a notably intense meeting from years ago, I remember an attendee turning to me to say “Buildings are easy. People are hard.” So how do we convince project teams to step outside their comfort zones to incorporate increasing amounts of environmentally friendly products into their projects?
Storytelling is the bridge that connects minds and hearts, fostering a deep understanding and empathy. When we share stories about our projects—the successes and the challenges—we don’t merely exchange information; we create a shared experience that resonates on an emotional level allowing us to assimilate information unambiguously, understanding it through the lens of our experiences. This personal connection to information is crucial for radical collaboration as it breaks down barriers, builds trust, and encourages open dialog. By educating the mind while opening the heart, storytelling paves the way for innovative solutions through collaboration and collective processes.
The Red2Green project management platform originated from project stories that revealed a demand for healthier materials and a concise comparison process for better product selection. But this was just the start. With an ever expanding library of nearly 25,000 products for comparison; submittals, specifications, and communications features to keep teams informed; embodied carbon tracking; and project documentation storage, Red2Green captures your project’s journey, enabling you to leverage your story for consistent outcomes.
Let’s share our stories and collaborate on better materials and healthier projects. It’s time to take action. The future is in our hands.
Matt Root, Materially Better associate principal, is a sitting member on the NESEA board of directors.
