… after a few weeks of intense study and preparation, I just recently passed the LEED 2.2 exam. I was equally enthusiastic and contemplative about taking a professional exam since my last exam occurred back in college (pre-1993). One resource that had a tremendous impact on the result of the exam is my career exposure to the LEED process, particularly during my years with ADD Inc in Cambridge, MA. It takes genuine understanding of the LEED process from both the client and architect perspective to incorporate the LEED process into any project. Furthermore the learning curve and level of acceptance by contractors often times lessens the opportunity from occurring based on irrational cost data associated with LEED.

My education and experience in architecture is also a credit to new challenges. As a designer I view the world through a critical eye and assess various needs and discrepancies and make attempts to provide design where there is none or limited opportunity to explore architectural principles. Design is also a process of learning, experimentation, evaluation, implementation and review, as much as the design process is seen as a linear action the reality is of a much more chaotic non-linear progression with varied results.

Study for the exam took on a design like approach based on review of the big picture and then the smaller nuisances. Just like the design of a building where the broad strokes outline building form and the details provide dimensional reference at a larger scale or more accurate stroke (I think I learned this from Tom Kinslow, architect of the famous T-House). I found the LEED 2.2 Reference Guide as the form generator, a series of handwritten notes to define and a shortlist of information to detail the relationships.

I encourage everyone to learn about the LEED process. Information is on the US Green Building Council website, including an abbreviated version of the Reference Guide.

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