There are many programs and ratings systems that can aid designers in confidently specifying materials and furnishings that align with standards for sustainability and healthful design. Manufacturers and companies may seek to achieve the requirements associated with U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification, attain International Living Future’s Declare Labels, earn Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and so on—all in effort to assure products are suited for sustainable design projects. Not surprisingly, interior designers can easily get sucked into a proverbial rabbit hole trying to decipher these documents to determine how one product may compare to another.
MindClick entered the scene with a commitment to level the playing field, to simplify product selection for designers so they can more easily identify products that are best for their projects. MindClick evaluates the environmental health performance of manufacturers and their products through nine primary metrics through the MindClick Sustainability Assessment Program (MSAP). Furthermore, through MSAP, every vendor and product receives ‘good, better, best’ ratings of their social and environmental impact, helping designers specify products that complement their overall priorities.
Based on the thorough assessments, products reviewed within MSAP are designated with ratings of Starter, Achiever, and Leader. These ratings, along with the overall social and environmental impact ratings, make it simple for interior designers to quickly identify the right materials for their projects. Designers can select options based on specification and sustainability requirements of their projects, and they can be confident that their choices align with their overarching commitment to healthy design.
MindClick’s journey with MSAP started more than five years ago to support the challenge faced by manufacturers trying to tell their sustainability story, and brand leaders trying to green their global supply chain. Since 2015, Marriott International has utilized MSAP to specify products that support the company’s Serve360 sustainability goals, which include reducing environmental impact, building and operating sustainable hotels, and sourcing responsibly.
Renowned for our corporate commitment to sustainability, Crossville chose to be among the early participants of MindClick’s program. All Crossville products are now included in the MindClick MSAP, with our various selections holding the rating of Achiever Level in all categories. With our MSAP ratings and active participation in Marriott’s Serve360 program, all Crossville products are now an option for specification for Marriott International’s Full Service projects, eventually their Prototypical Design Program.
Today, MindClick is in expansion mode, going beyond product assessments to create a unique blend of recognition and inspiration that meaningfully connects designers and participating companies. Through its recently launched platform, Design for HealthTM, MindClick provides a portal where designers can showcase unique installations and feature the high achieving vendors specified in their projects. The user-friendly site is a place for designers to share their success stories, be recognized by their peers for contributing to a healthier environment, and gain ideas to apply to future projects.
Additionally, MindClick is expanding from hospitality. The organization has already turned a spotlight on healthcare and is now poised to include other industries such as retail and restaurants. Through Design for Health, the Digital Studio for Healthy Interiors, design teams can access MSAP-rated vendors for use on any project across all segments of the built environment.
As part of our ongoing sustainability efforts and devotion to healthier environments, Crossville continues to provide innovative resources that work hand-in-hand with the architecture and design communities. As part of Design for Health, we have a powerful way to provide designers with an easy-to-understand environmental health rating for our products. If there’s a sustainable, health-focused commercial project being designed, we want every opportunity to make the specification. Our involvement with MindClick certainly supports this all-important goal.
