To ensure design quality while debating material choices, focus on the project’s core aesthetic and functional goals. Evaluate each material’s durability, cost, and impact on the intended design. Prioritize high-quality materials for key areas that define the space, while considering cost-effective options for less prominent zones. Encourage the team to view samples in context to visualize the end result. By balancing budget with strategic material placement, you can maintain the project’s integrity without compromising on quality.

In my experience, ensuring design quality while debating material choices with the team requires a balance of functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. I start by defining clear project standards and prioritizing materials that meet durability and environmental benchmarks without compromising the design vision. Using data-driven tools, such as lifecycle assessment software, I evaluate each material's long-term performance and environmental impact. Additionally, I encourage testing samples and prototypes to assess visual compatibility and durability in real conditions. This collaborative and evidence-based approach helps the team make informed decisions, upholding the design integrity and project goals.

At blocs design, material selection is key to ensuring design quality. When debates arise, we stay focused on our mission: Design for Thriving, Design for All, and Design for People. We start by revisiting the project’s purpose—does the material support creating spaces where people can connect and communities thrive? Next, we weigh cost against long-term performance, prioritizing durability and sustainability to enhance user experience and deliver value. Equity is also critical—we ensure materials are inclusive and welcoming to all. Through collaboration and creative problem-solving, we make thoughtful choices that uphold quality and enrich every project.