Abstract:

This course provides essential knowledge of sustainable building concepts that are fundamental to all LEED rating systems. Learn about LEED intents at the credit category level, including common strategies, synergies, metrics and referenced standards; as well as basics of the LEED certification process. Interactive activities based on real LEED projects reinforce what you've learned. This course is recommended prior to taking commercial rating system-specific education programs.

This is a full-day, USGBC Faculty-led course.

To see course program, please click here.

Short Profile:

A graduate, summa cum laude of the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, and a post graduate from the same institution, Mario is a Professional Engineer with registration in North America, Europe and the Middle East. His career spans the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering disciplines, with specialization in HVAC Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance. His passion and drive for engineering excellence and sustainability has led him to integrate many features to achieve energy and water conservation in the numerous residential, industrial and commercial buildings he has been involved with, through their design, construction, operation and maintenance phases.

His keen interest in making sustainable development a reality, paved the way for his involvement with the United States Green Building Council at its very early stages, coercing him to lead and facilitate the process of LEED Version 1, for the LEED Bronze certified Kandalama Hotel in Sri Lanka in the year 2000. This resulted in the First LEED Green Building Outside the USA and the First LEED Green Hotel in the World.

Pioneering likewise in the Middle East as well, Mario was responsible for the LEED Gold certification of the Wafi City District Cooling Chiller Plant One in 2006, the First LEED Green Building in the UAE and the region, and the LEED Gold certification of the ABN AMRO Bank’s Operations Offices at the Dubai Outsource Zone, the First LEED certified Commercial Interiors project in the Middle East. Now having three LEED certified buildings on his profile, Mario continues to facilitate the LEED process for a host of sustainable projects spanning the Middle East and South Asia.

A versatile presenter of his passion, Mario has been involved in spreading awareness and capacity building in almost a dozen countries on various topics such as Sustainable Design & Engineering, Green Buildings & LEED, Energy & Water Conservation and Low Carbon Development. As the First International LEED Faculty Member, he is currently involved in organizing and executing LEED Workshops for the USGBC, for Architectural and Engineering Professionals keen on pursuing Sustainable Development.

For over 3 decades in the UAE, Mario has been involved in M & E Engineering Design, Contracting, Operation and Maintenance industry projects that address energy and water issues; key components in buildings and sustainability. Such projects include the Dubai International Airport, Dubai Ports and Customs Building and the Hyatt Regency among many. This experience of his brings to projects, a positive and balanced outlook that ensures success and engineering excellence.

AWARDS

• Summa Cum Laude (1982) – University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA
• Professor Mohan Munasinghe Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Cause of Energy Conservation (1985) – Sri Lanka
• LEED Bronze Award for Kandalama Hotel (2000) – U. S. Green Building Council
• Environmental Contribution Award (2007) – Middle East Business Achievement Awards, UAE
• Eco Award (2010) – DAFZA Business Awards, U.A.E.
• LEED Fellow, Class of 2011 – U.S. Green Building Council

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Fellow – Institute of Mechanical Engineers, UK
• LEED Fellow – USGBC
• Member - Society of Engineers, UAE
• P.Eng. - Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, Canada
• P.Eng. - Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta, Canada
• LEED Accredited Professional (BD + C) – USGBC
• Member - American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, USA
• Member - Institute of Electrical And Electronics Engineers Inc., USA
• Member Tau Beta Pi - The Engineering Honor Society, USA
• Member - National Advisory Council for the College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah
• Chartered Engineer - The Engineering Council, UK.
• Européen Engineer - Federation Européenne D'Associations Nationales D’Ingenieurs, UK

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• LEED Faculty Member – U. S. Green Building Council
• LEED Mentor – U.S. Green Building Council
• Member of National Advisory Council for the College of Engineering – AUS
• Past Secretary to the Board – World Green Building Council
• Founder & Past Secretary to the Board – Emirates Green Building Council
• Development of Green Building Guidelines for the UAE
• Member – Technical Advisory Committee, United Nations Habitat Program Best Practice Awards (2004)
• Co-Chairman – USGBC International Conference & Exhibition, Pittsburg, California, USA (2003)
• Co-Chairman – USGBC International Conference & Exhibition, Austin, Texas, USA (2002)
• Committee Member – USGBC LEED Pilot Project (2000)
• Committee Member – USGBC LEED Version 1 (1998-1999)