What is a Green Space Project Certified Professional™?
A GSP Certified Professional is a member of the construction, development, or design industry who has direct and significant impact over the choices made in the selection of sites, methods of construction, architecture, and materials used to complete a new building or retrofit an existing building. They will typically fall into the industry classifications of developers, architects, interior designers, and property management firms but can be from other industries if they meet the criteria.
What does it take to be a GSP Certified Professional?
GSP Building Certification was designed to be achievable by many with as little complexity as possible using commonly available materials and generally accepted design practices. Because of this, the issues that are dealt with in the assessment are second nature to those in this industry and do not require any new training or extensive examinations to demonstrate competence in these areas. So in keeping with the mission of the Green Space Project’s overall goal of simplicity and practical application we have reduced the requirements for certification to the following:
All must make the commitment to utilize the best practices The Green Space Project assessment advocates whenever possible, regardless of whether a project is up for GSP Certification, solely on the basis that it is good for the environment and society.
Architects- must have a valid license to practice architecture in their state
Interior Designers- must have passed the NCIDQ or have 3 years experience in a designer role.
All others- must have completed two (2) GSP certification assessments on their own properties or developments.
Upon successful completion and verification of these steps, the applicant will be awarded the GSP Certified Professional designation and the right to use the GSP logo. Initial certification will be for two years.
What are the benefits to being a GSP Certified Professional?
There are many benefits that people like to throw around: prestige, environmental concern, public relations and the like. A GSP certification brings these with it but at the end of the day you are responsible to the bottom line no matter how grand your intentions may be. A GSP certification provides more opportunity for billable hours than any other certification system in existence. Why? Because it is available to and achievable by more of your clients than any other system.
But I have already achieved the LEEP AP certification. Why would I want another?
This question requires an evaluation of how LEEP AP has improved your bottom line. The USGBC says there are more than 75,000 LEED AP’s since 2001. That’s a good sized city in most areas. How many LEED projects do you or your firm have? Compare the number of LEED projects you have with the number of clients you actually serve. Most clients can’t actually achieve a LEED designation and therefore do not pay you for any “LEED work”. The real question is given an opportunity to fulfill the your client’s desires to be “green” and to pay a reasonable fee to attain it, why wouldn’t you help them achieve that goal? GSP certification is not competing with LEED. It only recognizes the people whom LEED leaves out and allows you the opportunity to assist them and be paid for your services.
Is there a cost involved for certification?
For architects and interior designers there is a cost of $95 to begin the certification process for all others the cost is $149. If approved, the certification will be for two (2) years.