Green Building… What?

Engineering Education 1024 can do things to people. By this I mean a huge variety of effects, such as create a new detest toward the EngE classes in general, learn to hate group projects that end up being mostly theoretical, and have a gratefulness for the curriculum on which it focuses; namely, sustainable energy! I actually ended up liking the class for the most part despite the complaints of my fellow classmates, mostly because our focus on sustainable energy and alternative solutions to our current power crisis. I’ve always been somewhat environmental and a bit “hippieish” (really, I can’t think of any word that suits it better) in the nature sense, so thinking of ways to kill fewer trees and burn up less gas would be fantastic. My inital decision to “do my part” consisted of using less electricity, recycling, and utilize transportation methods. Although these are fantastic steps, it’s not a bad thing to want to be more proactive, right?

So, I decided to rampage the nearest Borders in hopes to find something, ANYTHING, about ways of going green. Possibly a cookbook of just organic food, or how to create blends of chemical free cleaning supplies?After an hour and a half of searching on my own, on the in-store catalogue, and pestering a sales associate, I concluded that I wouldn’t find anything in there. Disappointed, I went back home to announce to my mom the entire reason for my trip there was completely nonexistant within the boundaries of the store, so she decided to google for a book. (For real, I know this word has been considered a verb for awhile, but I still find it hilarious.) The first result gave me the website for the Sierra Club. Apparently, they give weekly newsletters with ways to help improve the environment and different clubs and charities that are in effect. I thought this was pretty cool and actually had intentions upon paying a pretty hefty fee a joining it. Before I even printed out a copy of the application to join (for some reason, these things require an application despite the fact that they let everyone join, just call it a damned information sheet), I decided to add the Facebook App. It’s very much free. I very much like this . Especially since my mom distracted me with yet another group before I decided to shell out my money to the Sierra Club.

(WARNING: this paragraph might get a little boring to the majority of people.) Being part of an architecture firm, my mom is required to go to multiple seminars in hopes to report the newest innovations to those working above her. Recently, she went to a LEED seminar, which, she claimed, would be something I should consider. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a rating system within the US Green Building Council. Being LEED certified pretty much means I paid for $300 information sessions and exam in the end to prove I know what it takes for a building to meet today’s standards on a sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Being LEED certified would be an amazing on my behalf because I’d know how to make things more effective, something that I REALLY want to do, plus it gives me a better chance on being hired as soon as I’m able to put this on my resume. I plan on doing this around my junior or senior year .

So, as a beginning step toward becoming green friendly, I joined HRGBC, which stands for Hampton Roads Green Building COUNCIL (I ALWAYS ALWAYS forget what that damned “C” stands for, so if I’ve ever mentioned to you this organization and left out the “C”, there ya go). I get a few e-mails and notifications of seminars. Also, along with visiting these seminars my parents flip over my NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. Honestly, it’s not the main reason why I wanted to join but, hey, they’re right. So while I get to learn the technology of how a green building works instead of just the concept, I’ll have the opportunity to work my way into a company I could actually work with for a long period of time.

I’m so excited to actually be getting somewhere WHILE helping the environment… I’m a goober.

~ by timidventer on June 10, 2008.