Inside the architect’s workflow: how specifiers choose building products

Q: When does a product enter your consideration process?

A: Architectural projects typically move through three phases: concept, schematic, and design. The concept phase focuses on brainstorming, exploring the site, landscape, and preliminary shapes. The schematic phase then defines the building’s overall form, flow, and character. Finally comes the design phase, when everything is detailed and manufacturers are brought directly into the process. At that point, budget becomes a key factor, and the availability of high-quality, easily accessible BIM objects becomes crucial for us to evaluate products accurately. 

Learn more about how BIMobject can help you get your products in front of specifiers!

Q: How do you discover new products, and what makes a manufacturer stand out?

A: Once we reach the design phase, discovery starts with the project’s specific needs. We no longer leaf through catalogs, everything happens digitally. We search online databases and marketplaces like bimobject.com to find products that match performance requirements. 

Manufacturers who provide BIM objects stand out immediately. It shows they understand our modern workflows and contribute real value to the specification process. Having a solid digital presence on platforms where specifiers search is the minimum requirement to enter the selection process.

Make your products easy to find. Start your digital transformation with BIMobject 

Q: What is a BIM object, and why is it so important in your workflow?

A: A BIM object is the digital representation of a real-life product. It contains all the data we need to perform calculations, create schedules, and ensure everything fits together. High-quality BIM objects are important because they significantly improve our workflow by saving time and costs, eliminating the need for us to model from scratch. We trust manufacturer-provided BIM objects since they originate from the source itself, giving us confidence in their accuracy and alignment with the real product. 

Q: What information do you need from a manufacturer to consider a product?

A: The specific information we need depends on the project type, whether it's structural or design-focused, a private development or a public tender, and, of course, the project stage. But there’s a baseline of data that we expect to see every time, regardless of context:

• Material: what it’s made of and how it performs.
• Dimensions: exact sizing that allows us to check fit and integration.
• Weight: crucial for structural calculations and installation planning.
• Certifications: proof of compliance with standards and regulations.
• Sustainability data: increasingly crucial for both regulatory requirements and client expectations.

All of this must be accurate, clearly structured, and prioritized inside the BIM object so it’s quick to find and use. If we have to spend time digging for critical details, we’ll likely move on to another option. While precise data is vital, experience also shapes our choices. Positive past collaborations with manufacturers: good support, reliable files, smooth communication make us more confident about reusing their products in future projects.

Curious how top manufacturers approach BIM? Get practical strategies in our free BIM content development ebook.

Q: What are some common "red flags" that would make you immediately discard a product?

A: Neglected BIM files are a significant issue. Often, manufacturers assume they are ‘’done’’ once the BIM content is created. This can lead to outdated information and potential problems down the line.

Another risk is developing content without BIM expertise. Those who work with BIM daily understand what information and details truly support an architect’s workflow. That’s why many manufacturers turn to our award-winning BIM content creation services to build files that specifiers can actually use. 

If you’re unsure where to start, check out our blog on how to create a BIM content strategy from zero.

Q: What’s the best way for a manufacturer to keep their BIM files updated?

A: The best way for a manufacturer to keep their BIM files updated is to use a dedicated BIM content maintenance service. Your content will stay accurate, up-to-date, protecting the investment you’ve already made.

Time changes everything. Software updates, URL changes, and evolving standards can lead to broken or outdated content that hurts your brand and confuses specifiers. AECs depend on having files with correct software compatibility, accurate product data, and reliable links.

Experts manage this for you by using a content maintenance service. They will:

• Evaluate your existing content library.
• Update your files to match the latest BIM software versions.
• Validate data accuracy and fix any broken links.
• Provide a yearly summary of all the actions taken.

Q: Why do you use platforms like BIMobject to find products?

A: Platforms like BIMobject save us time because everything is in one place. Instead of searching across dozens of manufacturer websites, we can quickly access BIM objects that are already standardized and compatible with our design software. 

For manufacturers, the platform is also a marketing channel. If you publish your content on BIMobject, your products are visible to millions of AEC professionals who log in daily to find manufacturer-specific products. Beyond downloads, the platform helps you:

• Target specifiers directly with relevant marketing tools.
• Turn product engagement into qualified leads, not just anonymous stats.
• Nurture those leads with integrated email campaigns.

That blend of easy discovery for specifiers and powerful visibility with lead generation for manufacturers is what sets BIMobject apart.  

You’ve heard why architects use BIMobject. Now see how manufacturers turn that engagement into leads. Book a demo to see how it works!

Q: What challenges still exist in BIM adoption across the industry? 

A: For us, BIM is just how we work now. It’s how we design, collaborate, and move projects forward. The real challenge is with manufacturers who haven’t caught up yet. Some still underestimate the importance of BIM in the specification process, or they treat BIM objects as an afterthought instead of a real connection point with specifiers. 

Specifiers are working under pressure. Products available in BIM move faster through evaluation because we already have the necessary information. Products without BIM rarely make it past the first look. On the other hand, when manufacturers invest in well-made, reliable BIM objects, it not only makes our current projects easier but also increases the chance we’ll reuse those products again in the future.

Q: What's one piece of advice you'd give to a building product manufacturer?

A: My main advice would be to fully embrace BIM as the natural evolution of the industry. It leads to time and cost savings and can increase your product’s project inclusion. For smaller manufacturers, I recommend starting with BIM content for your most requested or "best-seller" products to gradually enter the market and understand the value. Also, consider providing configurators that offer continuously updated BIM content, or a direct contact button within the BIM object platform, which makes it easier for architects to reach you without navigating to a separate website.

Let's talk BIM. Want to know more about BIMobject or have your BIM content developed by our experts? Contact us today!