Students explore sustainable construction
in competition

A group of construction management students at Northern Arizona University is learning how to construct projects with sustainability in mind.

The students were part of a team that participated in a recent competition where they applied Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design construction practices—more commonly referred to as LEED—to a real-life scenario.

"LEED design is a comprehensive way of designing and building future projects for triple bottom-line results—environmental, social and economic benefits," said Susan Thomas, LEED team coach and lecturer in construction management at NAU. "For the health and welfare of future generations, not practicing LEED and construction according to its goals is not an option."

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, which developed the LEED rating system, a building that meets strict LEED design specifications receives a nationally recognized certification that it is "environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work."

At the region's annual Associated Schools of Construction competition, construction management students from 13 states across the western United States competed by solving problems in various areas of the construction field, such as commercial, residential, LEED and more.

Although this was not the first time NAU students competed at the event, it was the first time the university had a team competing in the LEED category, which was a national competition. NAU student teams also participated in the regional Commercial and Heavy Civil construction categories, with both of those teams taking second place honors in their categories.

The students involved in the LEED project team included J.D. James, who served as team project manager, Philip Smith, Matthew Bozek, Tyler Posten, Ryan Dibble and Roseanna Jumbo.

To prepare for the competition, the team had weekly class meetings last semester and toured all three LEED-certified buildings on campus, including the Applied Research and Development building, The W.A. Franke College of Business and the Engineering building. The team also sought the counsel of outside professionals in the LEED construction field, joined the U.S. Green Building Council and studied several reference materials.

Thomas and her students also voluntarily studied for and took the national LEED exam, an intense test that certifies those who pass it as "Accredited LEED Construction Professionals."

Smith, a senior with dual majors in construction management and Spanish, said he chose to participate in the LEED competition because he wanted the opportunity to enhance his knowledge of sustainability options in the construction field.

"I am taking away from this experience a newfound respect for individuals who work hard to minimize the negative effects that construction has on our world today," Smith said.