Over the past two years, Metal Architecture has provided me with the opportunity to use this column as a way to communicate the subject of sustainability to its readers. Sustainability and, more specifically, sustainable design and construction is a deep passion of mine. I feel fortunate to be able to work in this industry and share my thoughts and experiences with all of you each month. I have made an attempt to provide information pertaining to the various aspects of sustainability, especially as they apply to the design and construction industry, in hopes that readers will find this information to be valuable. After two years of telling stories and providing information I hoped would be of interest, we’ve decided to change the format of this column to focus on you, the readers.
Instead of me picking the topic of my column each month, I want to hear about the challenges your team may be facing on a sustainable project or answer your questions about sustainability. We invite all of you to send in questions, comments, opinions, challenges and successes-we want to hear them all! Whether you have a question about a specification, a new approach to a typical construction process, a LEED template that doesn’t work, documentation for LEED certification or anything else to do with sustainability, we want to hear from you.
We started this column focusing on how the requirements of the LEED rating system can or could affect anyone who works in the construction industry. Topics in the past have included the U.S. Green Building Council‘s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the specific application of individual credits found in that rating system and the process behind a project certification. We’ve also discussed individual LEED credits, how they could be achieved and how the designers or contractors can use their experiences to enhance a LEED project.
We have covered the evolution of the LEED rating system and the technological advances each new version brings and have examined the legal nature of the sustainability marketplace, risks of building green and how to avoid making common mistakes. We broadened the view of the column to include information about other sustainable building rating systems and tried to provide sustainable solutions for building projects all over the world. Having the ability to bring you these stories has been challenging and rewarding.
My career in this industry started long before the advent of the USGBC or the LEED rating system. I grew up in the construction business and have always wanted to be a part of that industry. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work on many different construction projects-everything from home renovations to Industrial processing plants and parking garages to health clinics. Every project has its challenges, and I have found that if the team rises to the challenge, they will reap the rewards.
I tend to view this column as a project in itself. Every project has a beginning, a middle and an end, and writing the monthly column for all of you each month is no different. While we are now in the middle of this “project,” the story is long from over.
The opportunity to provide each of you information on sustainability on a monthly basis has been rewarding, and I am eager to get your feedback so I can continue to cover topics that are of interest to you. Starting with the January issue, I’ll begin to discuss your questions, concerns, successes, opinions and challenges. I encourage you to send your comments or topics of interest directly to me at ttaylor@vertegyconsultants.com, and I will begin to delve into each topic and answer your questions throughout the year.
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Thomas Taylor, a 30-year veteran of the construction industry and noted expert on sustainability, is the general manager of St. Louis-based Vertegy. His recent book, “Guide to LEED 2009: Estimating and Preconstruction Strategies,” provides step-by-step information about the LEED 2009 for New Construction process. To learn more about Vertegy or Thomas’ new book, visit www.vertegyconsultants.com for more information.