Mateero
Improve Scheduling by automating material documentation to create a reusable digital library
Project type: Design Software
Industry: Architecture and Interior Design
Role: Founder and Product Designer
Hearth becomes Mateero
Building on insights from my Hearth project and a passion for improving the architecture industry, I partnered with a skilled engineer to launch Mateero. Being a founder has broadened my perspective on product design and greatly influenced my approach. This case study examines the product’s development and the diverse factors shaping its growth.
Insight from Product Designer as Founder
Problem Statement
In the construction industry, creating accurate material schedules and specification documents are both time-consuming and prone to costly errors.
Why?
By analyzing the design-to-construction process and how various trades interact with material information, we identified three key factors behind these challenges.
All
Manufacturer
Series
SKU/ Product number
Finish
Price
Dimensions
Lead times
Scheduled Information
Plumbing fixture
Flow rate
Clearance
Drainage needs
Lighting Fixture
Lamp Watts
Voltage Requirements
Temperature
Light Spread/ angle
Foot-candle
Designers must provide the builder a wide range of information ensure the correct product is purchased and installed. Below are a few examples of Scheduled categories and the specific information needed.
Appliance
Clearance
Voltage Requirements
Accessories
Weight
Incomplete or Fragmented Information
Users must often search through pages, links, and downloads to find all the necessary product information- if it exists at all.
2. Manual Entry Leads to Human Error
Most material information is manually recorded in static presentations and construction documents, leading to errors and miscommunication as projects evolve.
Building projects involve numerous skilled trades, designers, and subcontractors. With each party re-entering data into their own documents, the risk of errors increases as more stakeholders join the project.
“It’s like playing a game of telephone in 3 different languages”
-Havel Wieder, Studio Vara
3. Ineffective Company Library
Though many companies have a physical material library, they often lack a comprehensive digital library leading to duplicate work and a loss of valuable collective knowledge.
Respondents noted that finding trusted products from previous projects is often very time-consuming. In construction, products frequently change to save time and money, but these changes are rarely tracked effectively.
Key Insight
Primary challenge in creating an effective schedule arose from the initial challenge of finding and documenting trusted products.
User Journey
Scenario: Sam, a young architect needs to specify a wall mounted faucet for his clients bathroom. Note: their office works in a BIM software to model and produce drawings
1
2
3
Problem:
Manual Human Entry
Holistic Solution
Since these issues are interconnected, by approaching each problem in the context of the overarching goal, we can enhance material scheduling for both immediate needs and long-term benefit of the user.
Incomplete or fragmented product information
Browser plug-in that scans manufactures site and automatically records data.
Ineffective Company Library
JTBD:
Enable users to quickly find all needed material information
Reduce or remove need to manually record material information.
Provide an effective and reliable means for users to find trusted materials.
Proposed Solution:
Provide template to create downloadable “Product Profile”
Cloud based company library comprised of product profiles.
How does this improve scheduling?
A digital library of product profiles enables users to quickly populate schedules with accurate, detailed information, fostering clearer communication between designers and builders.
Early Feedback
I followed up with previous respondents and received overall positive feedback around these concepts along with the following questions that helped guide the products direction:
Can the platform integrate with existing BIM tools or construction management software to streamline workflows?
Who maintains the Product Profiles? What if a products information changes?
If a product changes do I need to revise it in BIM and this app separately?
Product Profile
A Product Profile is a comprehensive log of information useful to a designers and builders. This includes:
Scheduled information as listed before
Specification sheet
3D and BIM objects for 3D modeling software such as Revit
2D drawings and patterns
Images to be used on inspiration boards and client presentations
Website link
Product representative contact
Instead of storing this data in different folders and address books a central product profile allows users to quickly find what they need.