The goal of value engineering in commercial architecture and interior design is to optimize for the best balance between design functionality, aesthetics, and cost. Meanwhile, market forces, including changes in product availability and cost of labor, can quickly impact a project's budget, forcing project teams to revise specifications to accommodate. Then there are times when owners simply get tired of forking over cash and ask for budget cuts.

You often compromise your design with these alterations, and you likely need to rush to make them to the drawings and finish schedule in order to meet construction schedules.

Interior designers have to be ready and flexible to adapt to potential changes. And with so many factors to consider when specifying your materials selection, including codes, acoustics, maintenance, and long-term durability (as well as the design aesthetics) to say “it’s complicated” is an understatement. Fortunately, having ready access to reliable product information is within reach. This is particularly important when balancing sustainability practices with value engineering challenges.

Following LEED standards ensures that chosen products meet sustainability criteria, helps designers contribute to healthier indoor environments, and the third-party certification adds credibility, making clients less likely to substitute products or compromise environmental goals. While upfront costs might be slightly higher, the inherent value of LEED-certified products make them more resistant to specification changes. Interior designers play a crucial role in educating clients about these benefits and fostering cooperation throughout the project.

Through our collaborations with thousands of project teams and hundreds of designers, Green Badger has identified interior architectural finishes and furniture products linked to LEED attributes.

Using these essential products, along with others like them necessary for your team to accrue certification points, can prevent jeopardizing your beautiful finishes before installation.

The great news is you can instantly find and verify thousands of products for a LEED project, all consistently updated and easily referenced in Green Badger’s platform.