Montgomery County Community College Offers Sustainable Building Advisor Program

In keeping with the growing demand for green building technology and practices, Montgomery County Community College is offering a nine-month Sustainable Building Advisor Program starting January 2010.
The new program will provide the training and information for participants to become leaders in their careers, organizations and communities in the sustainable building field. The program is beneficial for a wide-range of building professionals and interested others.
The non-profit organization National Sustainable Building Advisor Program develops the comprehensive criteria for the program, which is offered at the College’s West Campus in Pottstown as part of its Continuing Education offerings. Click here to watch a NSBAP video.
Architect, David Hartke, MBA, AIA, a principal of the architectural and engineering firm Stampfl & Hartke Associates, LLC, of Bucks County, is the local administrator, in conjunction with the College, and is one of the teaching professionals for the program.
“The instructors are professionals and specialists in their fields, including geologists, engineers and designers,” Hartke said. “The program brings together, holistically, all of the concepts of sustainable building and design.”
Classes will be held monthly from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and consecutive Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This type of class schedule allows for on-site visits and tours to complement the interactive classroom sessions, Hartke said.
During the nine months, the program will cover all aspects of sustainable building and design for both new and existing construction. Topics include site assessment and location, land usage, green communities, renewable energy options, investment costs and savings, indoor environmental quality and water conservation.
“We will be meeting with representatives from the state Department of Environmental Protection,” Hartke said. “We will tour the DEP facility in Norristown, as well as other sites and projects.”
Participants will learn how to apply the practices and standards of sustainable building, including the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the National Green Building Standards.
They will also learn how to calculate the initial costs, determine long-term savings and utilize available financial incentives to offset investments. Working with fellow professionals, participants will learn how to implement a sustainable design goal and to train others in green building practices.
At the conclusion of the program and completion of its requirements, students are eligible to take the NaSBAP examination for national certification as a Sustainable Building Advisor.
The American Institute of Architects approved the SBA program this year for 100 learning units. In 2008, U.S. Green Building Council approved the NaSBAP course for its Continuing Education that is now required for LEED Accreditation of professionals.