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A Compass for the Sustainable Materials Maze: Product Aware Launches Across Australia

This month, Product Aware launched across Australia.

COX hosted launch events in our Sydney and Melbourne studios, uniting members from contributing practices including Bates Smart, BVN, COX, and SustySpec, alongside industry experts, designers, and suppliers.

Each event highlighted the transformative potential of Product Aware, a platform designed to enhance transparency and improve access to product sustainability information. Attendees were given an in-depth look at how the platform works, demonstrating its capacity to drive positive change in the industry.

Following the demonstrations, panel discussions led to honest and inspiring conversations about the future of our profession. These discussions provided valuable insights and underscored the collective commitment to advancing sustainability in architecture and design.

The launch events not only celebrated the culmination of an 18-month development process but also set the stage for a more sustainable future, fuelled by collaboration and innovation.

Designed by Architects for Architects – What is Product Aware?

Born from a desire by some of Australia’s largest architectural practices to make meaningful, lasting change in the industry, Product Aware aims to standardise how we address product sustainability. It highlights clear sustainability metrics for the products listed in its database, ensuring a consistent and transparent approach to evaluating sustainable materials.

The online platform has been developed for industry by COX’s Design Technology team. It is both free to use and contribute to.

Key Features

Product Aware comprises two main components designed to streamline and enhance the sustainability efforts of architects and designers:

  1. Questionnaire: This tool guides users through engaging with suppliers, simplifying the process for individual practices and promoting a consistent approach across the industry.
  2. Database / Information Bank: An independent, open-source, and not-for-profit resource for comparing and specifying sustainable materials and products. While suppliers maintain ownership of the information submitted, the platform ensures easy and independent access to essential data.

Dr Matthias Irger, Head of Sustainability

Product Aware is a game-changer, saving us time and helping us make better choices for the planet. With building materials accounting for approximately 12% of global carbon emissions, selecting low-carbon and circular products is crucial in addressing the climate emergency. Product Aware empowers architects and designers to choose materials and products based on their sustainability credentials, including embodied carbon emissions and other key environmental criteria.

Bridging a Gap

While similar platforms exist globally, Product Aware was created to address a specific need in Australia. Despite ongoing efforts in sustainable design, aligning firms—regardless of size, sector, or location—remains a challenge. Product Aware serves as a tangible tool for all, promoting uniformity and accessibility in the pursuit of sustainability.

The platform’s intuitive search function ensures that users find the best products, not just sponsored posts or familiar brands. By using key terms to compare a wide range of products, users can discover new options and achieve the most sustainable outcomes. This approach ensures unbiased results and promotes the selection of truly sustainable materials. This feature is especially beneficial for niche products and suppliers, whose current production may be too small for other platforms.

David Henderson, Senior Associate

Product Aware fills a critical gap in our design toolboxes. Specifying sustainable products is crucial, yet finding and vetting materials is often overwhelming and time-consuming. Existing tools fell short, providing inconsistent information and adding barriers. So, we built Product Aware to simplify the process, offering reliable, unbiased, and accessible product data.

Join the Movement

Product Aware invites all Australian architects, designers, and suppliers to sign up and access its growing database. This platform represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future in the industry, empowering professionals with the tools they need to make informed, responsible decisions.

COX is proud to have been involved with Product Aware since the beginning, and look forward to seeing its use across the industry.

Access Product Aware now. For inquiries, contact info@productaware.com.au. Technical information about the platform can be accessed here.