Are you interested in a career in sustainable and green building?
Photo by Sky Garden Ltd
If so, you may find yourself exploring a wide range of green and sustainable building specialties, discovering career paths you never knew existed, and maybe inventing a whole new way to live.
Did you know?
"Building operations and construction now account for nearly 40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions."
Common Green Building Skills
There are some common skills people in the sustainable and green building industry need to develop regardless of the specific career path chosen. These include:
Knowledge of sustainable materials
Cork
Coffee husks
Mycelium
Algae
Cob
Sustainable building practices
Renewable technologies and energies
Waste and wastewater reduction
Pollution and carbon reduction
Building Science basics
Physics, chemistry, engineering, architecture, and life science
Full life-cycle of buildings
Building systems and component relationships
Building performance
Other important skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Attention to detail
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
Did you know?
Green building skills are in growing demand around the world.
Green Building Product Designers
Do you like to design products that solve specific problems?
Green building product designers design sustainable building products such as insulation, roofing, and flooring. They work to create products that are eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and made from sustainable materials.
Wikimedia Photo
Wikimedia Photo
When designing a green building product, the product designers need to consider:
A product's lifecycle
How the product integrates into the rest of the building
Materials used
Regulations and policies
Did you know?
Just as professionals and buildings can be certified, building components can be certified as well. While the use of the products don't guarantee a building certification, they can help. Passive House Institute has a Component Database with a range of certified components.
Green Architects
Green architects design sustainable buildings that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. They work with clients to create designs that prioritize sustainable materials, natural light, and energy efficiency.
Photo by Eleonora Albasi on UnsplashBamboo is a popular sustainable building material.
Wikimedia Photo
Building retrofits are an important part of the green building industry.
Green architects evaluate these characteristics of a building:
Ventilation systems designed with the heating and cooling systems
Energy efficiency
Water conservation
Landscaping for passive solar energy and cooling
Minimizing impact on natural habitat
Using alternative and local power sources like wind and solar
Using non-synthetic and non-toxic materials
Locally obtained and responsibly harvested materials like wood and stone
Adaptive reuse of older buildings
Using architecturally salvaged items
Efficient use of space
Did you know?
Green buildings have some common considerations in design. Some credentials and certifications focus on just a few, while others focus on multiple factors. Green architects with knowledge in more than one sustainable building practice can blend concepts for even more sustainable buildings.
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Sustainable Construction Manager
Sustainable construction managers oversee construction projects with a focus on sustainability. They work to ensure that the construction process is sustainable and eco-friendly, from sourcing sustainable materials to reducing waste and minimizing the project's carbon footprint.
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The more experience a construction manager has in a specific type of sustainable construction method, the smoother, easier, and cheaper the project will be.
To get experience on a variety of projects, sustainable construction managers should consider:
Specialized certifications
Apprenticeships
Volunteering
Did you know?
There are several areas of construction waste like transportation, inventory, overproduction, defects, and skills.
Green Construction and Tradespeople
Green construction and tradespeople work on the construction and renovation of sustainable buildings. They use eco-friendly materials and practices to reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects.
Wikimedia Photo
Wikimedia Image
Tradespeople and skilled laborers are responsible for the building behaving the way it was designed.
Tradespeople need to develop their skills through sustainable construction courses and apprenticeships.
Did you know?
A sustainable building is more than just a design. The Passive House Building Certification requires buildings to also perform. In order to do this for any green project requires tradespeople in construction, HVAC, and other specialties to work together towards the final outcome.
Sustainable & Green Building Certifications
Sustainable building certifications are a way for buildings and professionals to showcase their commitment to sustainability and green building practices. Here are some popular certifications:
LEED — A well-known standard used world-wide that has strict energy efficiency standards, address health, and wastes.
Passive House — This world-wide standard has strict energy efficiency standards where building performance must be proven.
Well Building — This standard is about human health in the building environment.
Net Zero— This well-known standard is about balancing energy use and energy production.
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Different certifications focus on different criteria and metrics for building certification. When a professional is certified, they show the skills and knowledge needed to design, or construct, a building to the standard. Although buildings may be designed to a specific standard or standards, they aren't always certified.
Wikimedia Photo
Quiz
Which certification standard(s) would you consider if energy was a top concern? Select all that apply.
Did you know?
Despite its name, the Passive House standard can be applied to any building type. The Passive House Institute certifies professionals and buildings from around the world to the Passive House standards.
Green Professionals
As the world continues to prioritize sustainability, the demand for sustainable and green building professionals is on the rise. Here are some examples of the types of people you might meet in the industry:
Zoe is a green architect.
She has a Master's degree in sustainable architecture and has a LEED AP with a building design and construction specialty.
She is currently working on obtaining her CPHD, or Certified Passive House Designer credential. Her current project is a mixed-use building that will meet both Passive House and LEED standards.
Salary: $76,000 USD.
Juan is a construction manager specializing in sustainable projects.
He's working in the construction industry for many years and has a degree in sustainable construction management and is a Certified Passive House Tradesperson and Site Supervisor.
His current project is a multi-story commercial building that will be certified to the Passive House Plus standard.
Salary: $120,600 USD.
Sidney is a product designer.
Her work focuses on improving the carbon footprint, energy efficiency, and r-values of insulation and similar materials.
She has an undergraduate degree in product design with a minor in chemistry, as well as a master's degree in sustainable product design. She's also interested in the cradle-to-cradle design approach.
Salary: $71,000 USD.
Ayden is a skilled carpenter specializing in green construction.
He has apprenticed with numerous tradespeople and works at a green design-build company.
He has a variety of certifications. He also teaches green construction techniques at the local trades college.
Salary: $61,000 USD.
Quiz
You are interested in joining the green building industry. Who would you talk to in order to find out more about green building? Select all that apply.
Take Action
Congratulations, you're on your way to discovering a career in sustainable and green building!
To continue your journey, here are some actions you can take:
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