Inside the Spec - Episode 17: Beyond the Booth at AIA26: AI, Sustainability & What Manufacturers Need to Know

This episode of Inside the Spec highlights the conversations architects were having beyond the show floor at the 2026 AIA Conference. Industry leaders discuss how AI is reshaping product discovery and workflows, why trustworthy sustainability data matters more than ever, and what building product manufacturers can do today to support architects.

Key Insights

• AI is rapidly becoming an efficiency tool—not a replacement for architectural expertise.
• Architecture firms are looking for specialized AI platforms built specifically for the AEC industry rather than relying on general-purpose LLMs.
• Manufacturers should focus on creating structured, accessible product data that AI platforms can accurately interpret.
• Data quality and transparency are becoming competitive advantages as AI tools become more integrated into specification workflows.
• Technology fatigue is real. Firms want fewer, better-integrated tools instead of fragmented technology stacks.
• Sustainability conversations have evolved beyond marketing claims—architects increasingly expect verified certifications and measurable data.
• Greenwashing continues to be a major concern. Third-party certifications and transparent documentation are essential.
• Sustainability messaging should connect product attributes to real project outcomes, owner priorities, and business value, not simply list certifications.
• Manufacturers who educate architects on sustainability concepts create stronger relationships and improve specification opportunities.
• Cost and lifecycle value remain central to specification decisions, and sustainable products often compete more effectively than many manufacturers realize.

Practical Takeaways for Manufacturers

• Audit and organize your product data so it is accurate, structured, and AI-ready.
• Invest in APIs and digital infrastructure that make your information easier for specification platforms to access.
• Support your sales team with AI-assisted research and customer discovery tools to create more relevant conversations.
• Replace broad sustainability claims with verified certifications, test data, and transparent documentation.
• Help architects understand why your certifications matter—not just that they exist.
• Tailor sustainability messaging to the priorities of specific market sectors such as healthcare, education, multifamily, or data centers.
• Tell a complete value story that includes installation, maintenance, lifecycle costs, and long-term performance.
• Position sustainability as one component of an overall business case alongside performance, aesthetics, durability, and cost.
• Continue educating internal teams on both AI and sustainability so they can confidently support architects' evolving workflows.

Annie Bevan

Annie Bevan is CEO and Founder of the Sustainability Management & Strategy Collaborative (SMSC), where she helps organizations develop practical sustainability strategies that align environmental responsibility with business growth. A nationally recognized sustainability leader, Annie works with manufacturers and design professionals to improve data transparency, product communication, and market adoption.

Ashley Robertson

Ashley Robertson serves as Director of Partnerships at Acelab, where she works closely with architecture firms and manufacturers to strengthen collaboration through technology, product data, and digital workflows. Her work focuses on helping firms evaluate technology solutions that improve specification efficiency and project delivery.

Andre Baros

Andre Baros is Senior Director of Material Data at Acelab. He leads initiatives focused on product data quality, sustainability information, and AI-powered material discovery. As one of the industry's leading voices on structured building product data, Andre helps manufacturers better connect with architects through accurate, accessible information. His architectural career includes positions at Harry Weiss Architects, Wheeler-Kerns Architects, HOK, and SA&R. He has also taught studio at the University of Colorado Denver, bringing both practical and academic perspectives to material selection and specification.

Megan Kacvinsky

Megan Kacvinsky helps Building Product Manufacturers drive specification through targeted AEC marketing. As a partner at Point To Point, she specializes in demand generation, customer engagement, and strategic content marketing that fuels sales success.

With 15+ years of experience, Megan combines digital marketing expertise with sharp business acumen to bridge the gap between marketing strategy and real-world impact. She has transformed marketing programs for Fortune 500 companies, mid-market firms, and startups—adapting strategies to fit each organization's unique needs. Known for her tailored, results-driven approach, Megan crafts high-impact solutions that help brands thrive in the competitive building and manufacturing industries.

Vardhan Mehta

Vardhan Mehta is a second-generation architect and co-founder of Acelab, an AI-powered platform transforming how the AEC industry makes material decisions. After working as an architect designing U.S. embassies and institutional projects for MIT and Yale, he recognized the critical inefficiencies in how architects, owners, manufacturers, and contractors communicate about building products.

He co–founded Acelab while at Harvard Graduate School of Design to solve this problem by creating a new universal language for material decision-making. The platform helps design teams evaluate and select materials based on real performance data, costs, lead times, and sustainability metrics. Acelab was recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 2025 for digital transformation in AEC industry.

“A couple of years ago nobody knew what an API was, nobody was talking about APIs. And now you have people approaching you and say, ‘Hey, how can I get my API connected to Acelab?’…That was not a conversation even two years ago.” — Andre Barros

“We still need the human eye. And this is the value that humans will bring to that process. But gosh, if I don't have to write another proposal again, actually write out every word, what a what an amazing opportunity for all of us to consider. So we can do all what we do best as opposed to getting bogged down with that that clerical.” — Annie Bevan

“Technology fatigue is a real thing. And it's a real thing at these architect firms. And I do believe that's why a lot of these CTOs and CIOs and those folks were at the event. They're trying to understand tools that can solve more of their challenges, where they can kind of minimize their tech stack and get deeper into workflows and understanding like technology is not a one size fits all.” — Ashley Robertson

Architects are embracing new technologies while demanding higher-quality information than ever before. Manufacturers that invest in structured product data, verified sustainability documentation, and meaningful education—not just marketing—will be better positioned to earn trust and secure specifications. As AI and sustainability continue reshaping the industry, companies that align their digital strategy with architects' evolving workflows will create lasting competitive advantages.