Archinect - News 2024-05-02T03:42:43-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/139876820/google-flux-healthy-building-network-and-thinkstep-launch-quartz-database-a-resource-for-comparing-building-material-sustainability Google, Flux, Healthy Building Network and thinkstep launch Quartz database: a resource for comparing building material sustainability Amelia Taylor-Hochberg 2015-10-27T14:32:00-04:00 >2018-01-30T06:16:04-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/df/dfu2jfe8aywhu0hl.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>Choosing building materials is a delicate balance of factors &ndash; looks, quality, price, environmental impact and sustainability all contribute to the success and overall value of the product. When data about building materials are illegible or biased, the construction process can become convoluted and compromise the final structure, straining the architect&rsquo;s role in the process.</p><p>Hoping to streamline and vet a resource for the overall health and utility of building materials, Google, <a href="https://www.healthybuilding.net/content/about-us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Healthy Building Network</a> (HBN), <a href="http://archinect.com/firms/cover/127320343/flux-factory-inc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Flux</a>, and <a href="https://www.thinkstep.com/what-we-do" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thinkstep</a> have formed <a href="http://www.quartzproject.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Quartz database</a>: a place where AEC professionals as well as the general public can review a &ldquo;common dataset&rdquo; of building materials&rsquo; effects on both human and environmental health, ultimately to support a more sustainable built environment.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/uploads/36/36atvpaw1nstubip.png"></p><p>Born out of the year-old Quartz Project, which was (according to a Quartz press release)&nbsp;formed to &ldquo;promote the transparency of building product information&rdquo;, the Quartz database aims to create a new AEC i...</p>