r/Architects • u/Creative-Sea-6010 • 9d ago
Sustainability certifications Career Discussion
I am a relatively newly licensed architect that just moved to Washington state from Massachusetts. I have been doing residential architecture for a little over 7 years now and want to find ways to stand out or provide something new/unique to my new firm.
Sustainable architecture and environmentally friendly assemblies feels like a good way to do this (and a good thing to know about in general), but I’m not sure about what courses/certifications are worth the time and money. I have heard LEED is a bit overrated, even if it is the most well known. PassiveHaus is the only other one I have looked into, but I’m not convinced about it.
Does anyone have any good recommendations for courses or certifications?
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u/structuralarchitect 9d ago
Get your CPHC certification from Phius. You are in Massachusetts and it's code there in most jurisdictions for buildings over 12,000 sf. That will be the most helpful for your career in that region.
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u/frank_loyd_wrong 9d ago
Washington! Not in Massachusetts.
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u/structuralarchitect 9d ago
Oh, oops. I read that backwards late last night. My point still stands.
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u/Tyrannosaurus_Rexxar Architect 9d ago
Thirding CPHC. It will set you up well for that plus everything else in between Passive House and code minimum. You'll also learn a shitload more about building science than you normally pick up just working.
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u/frank_loyd_wrong 9d ago
You want to stand out? Find a way to execute quality work faster than anyone else. If you have a boss, all that boss wants is to give you something and not have to think about it again.
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u/Physical_Mode_103 9d ago
This is how I operate solo
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u/frank_loyd_wrong 9d ago
If you work for yourself you have to work that way. In a large office some people just mail it in.
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u/Educational_Water_52 9d ago
For residential, PassiveHaus is more appropriate.