Dustin Williams receives LEED accreditation

For immediate release:
Dustin Williams receives LEED Accreditation

Q. How long have you been working with D.L. Howell and what type of experience did you bring with you?

A. I have been with D.L. Howell since November of 2007.  My prior experience is varied.  Initially, I went to college for computer aided product design. This gave me some great experience with CAD and Engineering. My civil engineering work experience has come from my position at a civil firm in Delaware where I did residential and commercial site development.

Q. Can you describe a typical day at D.L. Howell, the types of work you do, example projects, etc.?

A. Typically, about half of my day consists of the CAD responsibilities in our particular office and the other half of the day I spend designing and managing projects. These projects are typically residential and commercial site development.

Q. What would you say is the most challenging aspect of your current position?

A. Dealing with poorly written, out of date, or counterproductive ordinances and guidelines.

Q. In terms of enjoyment, which of your daily responsibilities at D.L.Howell would you rank highest and lowest?

A. I very much enjoy doing design work, sustainable designs out weigh all others. My least favorite responsibility is carrying the paper recycling out to my car only because the bag always, always breaks.

Q. You’ve recently obtained your LEED Accreditation; is that correct?  Can you tell me a little about what that certification entails?

A. Yes, that is correct. I am genuinely excited to be a recognized professional among the LEED community. Simply put, the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) is one who can steward the goals and guidelines of the LEED rating system.

Q. At what point in your career did you become interested in “Green Building” techniques?

A. I have always been very interested in architecture, so I first heard about LEED through architectural magazines and websites. After more research, I found that there was a big need for sustainable design knowledge, even outside the building footprint. While working within the civil engineering field, I have continually noticed new ways green building techniques can improve projects and the environment.

Q. What factors do you feel promoted your strong interest in the environment?

A. The most obvious factor that promoted my strong interest in the environment is that I have in the past and still do spend a lot of my time outside enjoying nature. Little things like getting your foot stuck in a tire in the streambed when you are fly fishing or trying to find clean water on an Appalachian Trail hiking trip will do wonders for your interest in keeping the unspoiled portions of the environment just that way.

Q. Can you briefly summarize your position on the current state of the environment?  Are we headed in the right direction globally?  How about specifically in terms of residential and commercial land development?

A. I have mixed feelings about this. I believe the current state of the environment is dire, and we are most certainly not headed in the right direction to rectify this globally.  There is ever increasing, unsustainable growth globally that threatens the well being of the planet and its inhabitants. People are beginning to see the signs locally and are beginning to react, but many are not.

In residential and commercial land development I believe the days of unsustainable development are numbered. That being said, the recent popularity of the LEED system has been a great success and gives us a powerful tool to create a better future.

Q. I have to ask the question – does working for an engineering firm specializing in land development conflict with your environmental ideals or do you see it as the sector where your qualifications can do the most good – make sure the most environmentally friendly designs are being explored, that type of thing?

A. It is very true that an immense amount can be done with just a little intelligent engineering to significantly improve the performance of our buildings and sites, therefore, having a lesser impact on the planet. I would very much like to have a hand in that effort.

Recently I have learned two important things that make a lot of sense to me. One is that it is not that all development needs to stop, but rather that the land vitally important for the health of the planet needs be protected.  The second is that economic growth of the society pulls people out of poverty.

Q. In what other ways do you think being LEED accreditation will benefit you in your day-to-day activities at D.L. Howell?

A. I can incorporate my sustainable design knowledge into any job I do whether or not they are seeking certification, just because it makes “good design sense.”

Q. What is your prediction on the number of years in which all new construction will meet some level of LEED accreditation?

A. I do not think that it will ever be a requirement in all municipalities, but it sure would be nice.  LEED is defined as Leadership in Energy and Environment Design. The intention of LEED is to be only the leaders of the industry in sustainable design. There are, however, a few cities that are beginning to require LEED certification, one of those being New York City.

Q. Last question, I understand the Green Building Council is exploring a Neighborhood Development LEED accreditation to specifically address site design parameters outside the building footprint.  How do you see our commercial and residential site designs changing once the Neighborhood Development accreditation is in play?

A. Some parameters will change a lot, and some we already meet or exceed. With greater regularity, development will be located closer to urban centers, and redevelopment will become more common as well.  The USGBC Neighborhood Development guidelines intend to encourage healthy living, reduce urban sprawl, protect threatened species and increase transportation choice and decrease dependence on automobiles. I can envision that these site designs will limit disturbance, utilize new technologies for stormwater management, increase rainwater capture and reuse, increase siting of onsite renewables, decrease impervious and increase open space, just to name a few. Developing in this manor, will be very beneficial to the triple bottom line.