Architects may come to know their buildings, but what connection do they have to the ingredients used to make them? Most buildings are constructed from a tried and true, albeit huge, repository of materials that is listed in the McGraw-Hill Construction Sweets Catalog File, advertised in magazines, and unveiled at trade shows, but how often do architects have the opportunity to experiment with new materials or untested processes?
The obstacles to innovation are tremendous: "Convention gets built; innovation gets published," as the saying goes; commercial developers are risk averse; public agencies have pit bull watchdogs; building codes ask for ASTM certifications; owners need insurance; building inspectors expect uniformity; contractors thrive on repetition; everyone has shallow pockets. Innovation takes time, money, and a leap of faith, but it does happen, and it is happening more, although it can't be called the norm of practice—yet.
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