My GreenSpec: proof of concept
‘My GreenSpec’ provides:
• It allows the specifier to check on the supply and availability of his selected products by automatically submitting his outline specification to an online database maintained by GreenSpec and its supply partner.
• The supply partner is provided with detailed information about up-coming developments, and the potential for an early association with the building designers and contractors.
My GreenSpec dramatically smooths and simplifies the process of preparing an outline specification. Previously the specifier would need to record each product individually outside of GreenSpec, along with attendant details. Enquiring about supply and availability required a laborious chain of emails and telephone calls. With My GreenSpec the specifier moves around within GreenSpec selecting and ‘collecting’ products for future reference. The products are collected within a web page dedicated to the individual – hence ‘My GreenSpec’. The result forms both the basis for the development of the project’s specification and a possible partnership with a dedicated materials supplier at an early stage.
Technologically, ‘My GreenSpec’ has much in common with the interactive ‘saving’ features found on the likes of ‘You Tube’ or ‘Face Book’. A personalised web page is created by the user who then interacts with the site by adding chosen building elements and components to the page according to the project’s building design. Products can then be added or subtracted at will, as the outline specification is built up. At any point, the specifier can check on the availability and supply of his chosen products by submitting his page to the database. The database is constantly maintained with up-to-date information about the supply and availability of each of the products on GreenSpec.
Below, we have sequenced an example of creating and architect ‘John Smith’s’ My GreenSpec. His project is for housing and his search and selection of building products will be governed by the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The building elements he will be selecting are drawn from those listed in the BRE’s Green Guide. By building a specification around the Green Guide, Smith will be using elements and materials that will qualify his project for credits within the Code. In this example he chooses too, to check with the supply database for availability and delivery. GreenSpec's preferred supply partner in this example is 'GreenSupply'.
Please note that the file sizes will require a few seconds for the pages to download.
| 1 |  |
click here | Register page | This is the opening page for a new user having clicked 'My GreenSpec' in the side menu. He is invited to fill in the form and sign-up. The service is only available to those who register their details. |
| 2 |  |
click here | Default opening page | On signing up he will be given the list of elements that he might like to complete (he doesn't have to do all of them). He clicks on 'Select element' and he is taken to ..... |
| 3 |  |
click here | CfSH Green Guide element group selection page | The Green Guide lists specific elements which qualify for credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes, though the process is equally applicable to other building types. |
| 4 |  |
click here | 'Cavity walls' element selection page | The list of elements. The specifier will scan through the list and identify the way he wants to design his wall. He clicks on the one he is interested in and is then returned to his page.... |
| 5 |  |
click here | A cavity wall element is selected | As you can see, the element and all its components are listed and ready to fill out. At any time he can choose to find a product in GreenSpec or add one of his own (custom product). On clicking the 'Add product' symbol he will be taken to the appropriate page eg for concrete blocks he will be taken to the GreenSpec page listing blocks or if he clicks 'add product' under the 'Paint title' he will be taken to the GreenSpec page listing paints. In this example he clicks 'add product' under the heading 'Insulation' so he is taken to the GreenSpec... |
| 6 |  |
click here | List of insulation products page | Insulation page. We're in familiar territory here - he looks down the list and wants to know more about 'Thermafleece' so he clicks on and is taken to the 'Thermafleece' product page.... |
| 7 |  |
click here | 'Product page' | The product page - if he likes this product and wants to add it to his list he can click on 'Add product to My GreenSpec' - or, if he doesn't like it he can carry on browsing for another form of insulation or return to his own page. |
| 8 |  |
click here | A product is selected | Back on John Smith's page, you can see that he clicked on to add Thermafleece, and now it has been dynamically added to the list. He then proceeds to add other products. At any time he can add or delete products from the list. |
| 9 |  |
click here | Other products are selected | More products and |
| 10 |  |
click here | Other elements and associated products are selected | More elements and their associated products - until he has got as far as he wants. At this point he can either sign-out to return to the list at a later time and or he can get a paper print out of his list downloaded. At this point too, the specifier can elect to forward his outline spec to the supply and availability information hub. |
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Supply / Availability enquiry hub |
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| 11 |  |
click here | The form is submitted to the database. | The individualised form arrives at the supply / availability database. Each product is automatically checked against the its latest supply and availability status. |
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Information returned to specifier |
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| 12 |  |
click here | The completed form is returned to the specifier. | The database automatically completes the form and returns it to the specifier who can then make informed decisions about the specification of products. Information about the specifier and his project is shared with the supplier partner. |