Austin’s Hotel Magdalena, designed by Lake Flato, was the first mass timber hotel in North America, when it was completed in 2020. Wood products are low-carbon, climate friendly options for interior designers, provided they are sourced responsibly. Phoro courtesy Nick Simonite

Product Selection

Understand the Impact of Products

Use the AIA Materials Pledge

The AIA Materials Pledge lays out all possible impacts that products can have in five areas: Human Health, Climate Health, Ecosystem Health, Circular Economy, and Social Health & Equity. Explore these impact areas and familiarize yourself with

Tip: Use the AIA Materials Pledge Starter Guide to immerse yourself in this framework.

Prioritize Impact Based on Product Use

While low-emitting materials and products, i.e., those with a low GWP number, are fundamental to designing low-carbon interiors, clients might want to take other factors like VOCs or Red List Chemicals into consideration for certain applications. mindful MATERIALS provides an easy way to review those additional factors while reviewing for Climate Health.

Invest in Tools

Find tools to support every stage of product selection.

To search only within low-carbon options: Talk to Material Bank about their Carbon Impact program.
To find products that have your documentation requirements: Use Ecomedes.
To compare Embodied Carbon emissions on products that you have shortlisted: Use EC3.
To understand the holistic impact of a product: Use mindful MATERIALS.

If you have feedback on the Climate Toolkit for Interior Design, write to: [email protected]