LEED

wonder woman's comment reminded me that i never got around to my post about LEED and what it is! sheesh. since it's pretty much my life right now, you would think i could remember to at least do that! well, here goes, a crash course in LEED...

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. it's basically an exam that i will take that kind of "proves" to the architectural world that i am "capable" of designing green [environmentally friendly] buildings. it's not required, but highly regarded in the architecture and design field and i feel morally responsible to take and pass the test, so i'm working on it! i'm not sure i even posted that i failed the test the first time i took it. by ONE POINT!

but i'm over it and that's that. i'm retaking it soon [and, no, sorry, i'm not going to tell you when i'm retaking it. when i pass, i'll let you know... :)] and i'm once again studying my butt off!

back to the exam. the exam currently has a pass rate of 35%, but it's getting a revamp and in 2009 it will have a pass rate of 22%, so i'm trying to get it done before the new version comes out. it's expensive [$300] and i don't really have the money to retake it a whole lot, but i will finally get reimbursed by my firm once i finally pass.

once i pass, i will be considered a LEED Accredited Professional, aka, a LEED AP. according to www.gbci.org, a LEED AP is:

LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) are building industry professionals who have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building and the LEED® Green Building Rating System™. The LEED AP credential indicates that the professional has the knowledge and skills to facilitate the LEED certification process.

LEED Professional Accreditation is a voluntary designation achieved by over 60,000 individuals who have passed the LEED Professional Accreditation exam. The Green Building Certification Institute recommends that LEED AP candidates have building industry knowledge, as well as experience working with green building professionals from multiple disciplines.

hopefully this clears things up a bit, it's kind of a weird process and it's fairly new, so all the kinks are still getting worked out.

hope everyone's weekend is going great!