Design leaders at a global forum warned that procurement teams often prioritize upfront cost over lifecycle value, producing lower-quality outcomes and higher long-term maintenance expense. Speakers including Tina Norden of Conran and Stellar Works CEO Daisuke Hironaka argued that universities and institutions — where procurement decisions affect dorms, labs and common spaces — should factor longevity and sustainability into capital planning. They also discussed AI’s role in accelerating bespoke furniture and interior design workflows, noting that archival design data can be repurposed for engineering tasks while preserving human-led creative judgment. The panel urged procurement education to bridge the gap between 'money people' and designers to improve campus facilities outcomes. Source: Fortune Brainstorm Design forum coverage.