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Photo by Sky Garden LtdIf 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.
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:
Other important skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Attention to detail
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
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 PhotoGreen 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 PhotoBuilding 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?
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.
Wikimedia PhotoThe 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
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.
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Tradespeople and skilled laborers are responsible for the building behaving the way it was designed. Often the best intentions for a green building can end up left behind if the construction isn't done with sustainable practices in mind.
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.
Wikimedia PhotoDifferent 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.
Quiz
Which certification standard(s) would you consider if energy was a top concern? Select all that apply.
The LEED and Passive House standards require buildings to meet strict energy efficiency standards, although the criterion vary between standards. The Net Zero standard requires buildings to make as much energy as they consume. And the Well Building standard does not directly address energy as it focuses on the comfort of people in the building environment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
That's right. All of these people are good sources of information about the green building industry especially if you are undecided about which direction you want to take. However, even if you do know your path, consider reaching out to people working in other areas to see how their work impacts your chosen path. You can find people to talk to through social media groups and professional associations.
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:
This Byte has been authored by
Sara Hill
Learning Designer | Sustainability Advocate
BLA