Weird question, but I'm the mod from /r/metric (inform about and adapt the metric system) and I'm looking to inform myself a bit better.

Since the 70s when the US/Canada began metricating, one of the issues we've struggled with is that the design/construction industries have remained one of the most unmetricated parts of the economy. Most other industries (science and medicine) have a near universal adaptation of the metric system, or use a hybrid metric-imperial system (CPG, retail and manufacturing). Not design/construction.

My question revolves around why that is? I've been informed that sci/medical demands precision, thus almost universal metric adaptation. Is that not so for design/construction?

Other contractors that I've talked to say that the US gov'ts contract in the imperial system, thus even though firms would like to standardize and metricate, it's not possible.

Am I full of hot air when I say design/construction uses the imperial system? Does your firm / do you design in metric or do you use the imperial system?

Perhaps someone point me other subs that can help me inform myself?