Workshop on LEED Green Associate Certification

A two day workshop on LEED Green Associate certification was held at the Department of Architecture BUET from June 21 -22, organized by the Green Architecture Cell (GrACe), Department of Architecture, BUET, and the Institute of Architects, Bangladesh, (IAB). LEED stands for Leader ship in Energy and Environmental Design and a trademark of United States Green Building Council, USGBC. Participants of this workshop were from different professional groups, preparing for LEED Green Associate (GA) examination, a step towards attaining certification on Green Buildings from (USGBC). Architects, Designers, Engineers, Building or Facility Managers, Project Managers, Developers, Product and Building system manufacturers, Government Agencies, professionals targeting the LEED Green Associate examination, to be taken subsequently through the USGBC, participated actively in the event. The Workshop gave a holistic view on LEED issues including LEED GA certification, the most expansive environmental design and green building certification. It is not only one of the most recognized certifications in the industry, but it is also the benchmark for meeting acceptable standards in sustainability.
This workshop was part of ongoing activity of the Green Architecture Cell (GrACe), which started its journey in June 2009, as a research outcome of a project on Promoting Green Architecture in Bangladesh, conducted by the Department of Architecture, BUET, with funding from GIZ of Germany. Though that project focused primarily on the Readymade Garment Sector (RMG) in Bangladesh, the research results ultimately impacted the whole Building Industry. The Cell now specializes in the design of sustainable buildings, with emphasis on environmental, ecological, energy and other facets, attempting to reduce development impacts and promote energy efficiency and resource management, a current concern in Bangladesh. The BUET Department of Architecture, being the pioneering institute working in this field, now offers courses in both the Undergraduate, as well as the Master’s level, on these issues. The development of GrACe has made the Department a knowledge centre, disseminating knowledge to practitioners, while also offering design services for the society.
The Workshop Instructor, Mahbuba Khan a member of the American Institute of Architects, a LEED AP and President of MnK Architects PLLC awarded course completion certification to the participants. The Coordinator of the Workshop was Prof. Dr. Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed, Dept. of Architecture, BUET. Certificates for Completion of the Workshop, conferring 10 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Credits to IAB Members participating in this workshop, were awarded by Assoc. Prof. Shamim Ara Hassan, Coordinator, Green Architecture Cell (GrACe) and Prof. Dr. Zebun Nasreen Ahmed, Head, Department of Architecture. The Workshop team acknowledged sponsorships from the local building industry stake holders, Green Solutions, Ambit Holdings Ltd and Cityscape International.