June 2009 - Thomas Cissell is a LEED Accredited Professional

Thomas Cissell, PE, Project Manager at Oates Associates, has been certified as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional by the Green Building Certification Institute.

LEED Accredited Professionals possess knowledge of green building practices, which emphasize sustainability, conservation and efficiency. More and more institutions want to incorporate green design elements into their projects to reap the environmental, economic and health benefits associated with a green site.

Working with a civil engineer that understands sustainable design principles is the first step toward achieving an environmentally friendly yet functional site. According to the Green Building Certification Institute, as of March 31, 2009, of the 101,165 LEED Accredited Professionals less than 4% practice civil engineering. Having a team of both architects and engineers with this certification helps the team implement green design across all building functions to improve the building’s performance. It also provides for a streamlined certification process. Oates Associates has both civil and architectural staff members with this certification. As a civil engineer with the LEED designation, Mr. Cissell has the knowledge to incorporate site design concepts, such as rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement, and water harvesting into projects to meet LEED standards.