Category: Materially Better
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Awe Is a Design Tool: From Stardust to Specifications
Discover how curiosity, data, and stewardship turn materials decisions into lasting impact across buildings, portfolios, and communities. Read more
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Turn Your Specs Into a Ready-to-Submit AIA Pledge Report—Without the Lift
Convert 100% CD specifications into submission-ready AIA Materials Pledge reports. Benchmark portfolios, identify gaps, and lead with data. Read more
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Anchors in the Work: Mentorship, Growth, and Human-Centered Leadership in the AEC Industry
Matt Root reflects on the mentors and lessons that shaped his AEC career, and what they mean as he watches his kids begin their own paths. Read more
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The Spreadsheet You Thought You Knew
Discover sustainability in context by turning siloed data into actionable insights to drive smarter, faster, and greener project decisions. Read more
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Beyond the Blueprint: How Construction Decisions Shape Building Health
70% of products are chosen on-site, creating gaps between design intent and what gets built. Learn why bridging that gap is essential for healthier spaces. Read more
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Building Change: The Power of Advocacy in Materials Transparency
Strategic advocacy during materials vetting for Yale Divinity School’s Living Village transforms individual product choices into market-wide change—advancing transparency and healthier buildings. Read more
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Sustainability Without Judgment
Progress in sustainable building is evolutionary, not absolute. Learn why small, continuous steps in healthier materials matter more than perfection. Read more
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Six Years on the NESEA Board: What I’ll Carry Forward
After six years on NESEA’s Board of Directors, Matt Root shares what matters most: community, honest conversations, and mentoring emerging voices. Read more
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Trust by Design: What Privacy Really Means in a Data-Driven Practice
Privacy isn’t a checkbox—it’s foundational to our data-driven materials practice. Learn how we protect project data while generating collective insights. Read more
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Though Ghost Chemicals Linger, Joining Forces for Safer Materials Is Crucial Today
Regulation lags behind reality. Here’s how AEC teams can close the gap—building transparency, accountability, and healthier materials now. Read more
