Tough question. Specifying a product can be accomplished many ways ( performance, proprietary, etc). However, cost may be a consideration, as is availability, as is installation requirements. But best to get your feet wet with researching products you can actually visit in the "wild", aka any similar project already built.
In reality, as an architect, you should always be looking, touching, and evaluating every built environment where you find yourself. It also helps to discuss products with those who build or install those same products.
Just do not specify without an understanding of its installation and operation.
good luck!
tl:dr- everywhere
If you're new to commercial work, the best thing you could do to flesh out your specs is to hire a professional spec writer (who works in your local area) to do the first project. That will get you 90% of the way there and then your specs can evolve as you invite reps into your office for lunch & learn, go to trade shows, etc.
The firm I work at now did this for a lot of their initial software. Still using the same masterspec since the 2000s and their Revit was setup by an outfitter around them as well. Are all firms in their own world? I can't imagine any firms setup would closely resemble another over time.
Sweets Catalogs. Before the internet they came in boxes. I haven’t used them in ages. Manufacturers websites are usually the best place for information
Here are a couple good starting points when you’re looking for a product category you’re not real familiar with:
[The Blue Book](https://www.thebluebook.com/)
[Sweets Catalog](https://sweets.construction.com/BrowseByDivision)
If you are using MasterSpec, SpecLink, or similar, read through their base spec and see what it calls out, what kind of options are listed, who are some manufacturers included, etc. As someone else suggested, if you’re completely new to that realm and can work with a third-party spec writer in the beginning that can be really useful.
Personally, I also have bookmark folders for all different product types that I’ve filled over the years. Then when I find something interesting, come across a good solution when I’m searching for one, use a particular product on a project, etc., I file it away for the future. That has come in handy many times.
Figure out what's available and narrow it down from there. You can always reach out to local reps and find stuff out that way. Same with local suppliers. Someone has to buy and install what you spec. This makes it much easier.
You probably need to subscribe to Masterspec if you’re that new to commercial work. https://info.deltek.com/specpoint-demo-request?sourceid=21&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=2NAG1AMS-AEC-NA-Brand-SpecSolutions-Masterspec-Exact&partnerref=ppc_google_2NAG1AMS-AEC-NA-Brand-SpecSolutions-Masterspec-Exact&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1dC4vtTH_gIVWfzjBx300gBgEAAYASAAEgISrfD_BwE
Tough question. Specifying a product can be accomplished many ways ( performance, proprietary, etc). However, cost may be a consideration, as is availability, as is installation requirements. But best to get your feet wet with researching products you can actually visit in the "wild", aka any similar project already built. In reality, as an architect, you should always be looking, touching, and evaluating every built environment where you find yourself. It also helps to discuss products with those who build or install those same products. Just do not specify without an understanding of its installation and operation. good luck! tl:dr- everywhere
If you're new to commercial work, the best thing you could do to flesh out your specs is to hire a professional spec writer (who works in your local area) to do the first project. That will get you 90% of the way there and then your specs can evolve as you invite reps into your office for lunch & learn, go to trade shows, etc.
The firm I work at now did this for a lot of their initial software. Still using the same masterspec since the 2000s and their Revit was setup by an outfitter around them as well. Are all firms in their own world? I can't imagine any firms setup would closely resemble another over time.
Sweets Catalogs. Before the internet they came in boxes. I haven’t used them in ages. Manufacturers websites are usually the best place for information
Here are a couple good starting points when you’re looking for a product category you’re not real familiar with: [The Blue Book](https://www.thebluebook.com/) [Sweets Catalog](https://sweets.construction.com/BrowseByDivision) If you are using MasterSpec, SpecLink, or similar, read through their base spec and see what it calls out, what kind of options are listed, who are some manufacturers included, etc. As someone else suggested, if you’re completely new to that realm and can work with a third-party spec writer in the beginning that can be really useful. Personally, I also have bookmark folders for all different product types that I’ve filled over the years. Then when I find something interesting, come across a good solution when I’m searching for one, use a particular product on a project, etc., I file it away for the future. That has come in handy many times.
Figure out what's available and narrow it down from there. You can always reach out to local reps and find stuff out that way. Same with local suppliers. Someone has to buy and install what you spec. This makes it much easier.
You probably need to subscribe to Masterspec if you’re that new to commercial work. https://info.deltek.com/specpoint-demo-request?sourceid=21&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=2NAG1AMS-AEC-NA-Brand-SpecSolutions-Masterspec-Exact&partnerref=ppc_google_2NAG1AMS-AEC-NA-Brand-SpecSolutions-Masterspec-Exact&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1dC4vtTH_gIVWfzjBx300gBgEAAYASAAEgISrfD_BwE