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GREENandSAVE President, Charlie Szoradi, recently had an opportunity to sit down with Andrew Horning a LEED Accredited Professional based out of the Greater Philadelphia area to learn about the ‘State-of-the-Industry’ as it relates to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Exam Preparation.
What is all the last minute frenzy over the LEED AP NC v2.2 Exam about?
For over a year, the USGBC has been preparing to rollout LEED NC Version 3, as well as the newly format Accreditation process. Originally, it was slated to be out at the end of 2008, which created a ground swell of activity at that time. The new Accreditation process will be vastly different for the current, as candidates will not be able to be reach LEED AP immediately. Unfortunately, the USGBC was unable to complete the programs by that deadline. Instead, they pushed the deadline for passing the exam by June 30, 2009, hence the flurry of activity at this point.
What will be the key differences in the process?
The new process is a tiered credential system with individual specialty exams and the Credentialing Maintenance Program. The GBCI will be issuing the credential information later this year and the new exams throughout the year. They have also established a new category for the LEED Green Associate.
What are the expected time delays to complete Accreditation?
Practical experience will also factor into the pace to full Accreditation. With the new requirements not even issued yet, this timeline is still an unknown. This is also the driving force for the completion of the exam process by the end of June.
How will candidates benefit from your course for their final study preparation for the exam?
I try to approach the exam from two different aspects than most by calling upon my experience on LEED projects over the last five years to better illustrate the credit topics, as well as by providing using the natural synergy of the credit formats to tie multiple credit studies. This approach provides a better understand of the credit intent by using the credit interconnections. This differs from the straight numerical credit review, which is just pure memorization.
What sort of tools do you use to convey this message?
I ask that the student bring their LEED NC v2.2 Reference Manual to the class. This is their key study manual so that by using their existing book to make the credit connections will be easier in a familiar document. Additionally, we provide study guides/table, and short cut handouts, which will highlight the section to section connections, such as certain code that is germane to multiple credits or material costs that are applicable to several areas of the Material and Resources.
Who would benefit from this course?
I will try to schedule or tailor the course to the attendees needs. I would not rule out that we would need to start from the beginning for some attendees, but with the class time allotted, we will need to move quickly. On the other hand, with the deadline nearing, I’m expecting that people will be well on their way studying and will have pointed questions or specific areas that we can work to concentrate on. During the registration/reservation period, I will send along a brief questionnaire to attempt get a sense of baseline level with the attendees for a particular class.
When will the course be presented?
I am targeting the afternoon of June 2nd from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM for our class to fill. I will then schedule additional times each week after if the class sizes allow from there to the last week of June. I am also planning to be able to present a Webinar version too for those unable to attend. It’s going to be busy seven weeks for both instructor and attendees. The final location of the class will be dictated by class size but should be expected to be in the Wayne/Malvern area.
How do people register?
Since the date is coming up quickly, we will be filling reservations on a first come first serve basis for the initial class. Due to the timing, we will ask that payment be handled by check at the class. People may contact me by phone or email: 484-892-1934 or email ahorning@verizon.net
About the LEED Exam Prep Instructor:
Andrew Horning, LEED APLEED Educator,
President, Andrew Horning Consulting, LLC
Andrew is the President of Andrew Horning Consulting, LLC., a firm specializing in green building and sustainability solutions.
Andrew provides clients a unique perspective on sustainable construction and renovation. His hands on experience as a LEED AP since 2007 and management of various LEED projects from Registration to the final certification stages at the Gold and Silver Levels offers practical insights and usable tools to assist course attendees understanding the basics necessary to assist in obtaining LEED certification.
Over five years ago, Andrew began his LEED education by attending the Big and Green Exhibit at the National Building Museum in Washingon, DC , which was followed by an in depth educational tour of The Chesapeake Foundation’s LEED Platinum Building, The Phillip Merrill Center in Annapolis, MD. The comprehensive scope of a 36 point LEED New Construction Project brought the application of LEED to life for him and the passion to incorporate LEED principles into various forms of constructability, not only large scale LEED projects.
Andrew has been trained at the premier programs for LEED, including the US Green Building Council’s Annual Greenbuild Conventions in Pittsburgh (’03) and Chicago (’07), as well as numerous Urban Land Institute Sustainable Development and Green Building Conferences and Workshops. He brings over 20 years of Commercial Construction Project Management experience working for both Developers and General Contractors here in the Delaware Valley. His training program for Building Owners, Developers, Architecture and Mechanical Engineering Professionals is centered on the synergy of the LEED principles with credit structure as opposed to the typical credit review. He is a graduate of Lehigh University, in Bethlehem, PA with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He is Green Advantage Certified, through the Delaware Valley Green Building Council.
Andrew Horning can be contacted for reservation or questions at: 484-892-1934 or email ahorning@verizon.net.
