When architects need assistance making decisions
about commercial kitchen faucet brands, an independent research study has found
that architects most often turn to engineers. The 2008 Accountability
Architects’ Brand Preference Study-a blind preference research study that asked
architects to write in their responses as opposed to choosing answers from a
given list-demonstrates the importance of engineers in the decision-making
process for commercial kitchen faucets, followed by consultants and facilities
managers.
In every commercial plumbing product category
Accountability researched, architects noted the involvement of engineers in the
specification and recommendation of brands. No other title
appeared in all of the 13 plumbing product categories that Accountability
studied. Consultants were the next most often named professionals to be
involved in brand decisions. Architects also listed facilities managers and
project managers, among other professionals.
According to the study, 62% of architects say
they are directly involved in specifying or recommending commercial kitchen
faucets. Another 25% of architects report that they are involved in this
decision, yet they have no preference for any particular faucet brand. About
20% of those saying they’re involved in the decision-making process, in
actuality, defer the brand choice to another professional. In other words,
instead of naming an actual product or company name as their preferred brand,
they wrote in responses such as “engineer” or “consultant.”
“The results offer very revealing insights into
architects’ perceptions of commercial kitchen faucet brands and how architects
turn to engineers, in particular, as part of the specification process,” says
Jim Nowakowski, president of Accountability Information Management. “Architects
also wrote in comments on their survey forms, which underscored their concerns
about product value, maintenance and other factors. The engineer plays a vital
role in deciding on products that address cost, as well as long-term
performance issues.”
For more information about the 2008
Accountability Architects’ Brand Preference Study, which also researched mixing
valves, toilet/urinal fixtures and other commercial plumbing products, please
visitwww.a-i-m.com/architector call 847-358-8558.