Andrew J. Pawlowski, an architect with Siteline Architecture in Nevada City, has passed the demanding test for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is now a LEED-accredited professional.

“I‘ve always felt strongly about the principles that the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) now promotes, and I was increasingly fatigued with what is being passed off as ‘green/sustainable certification' by various organizations,” Pawlowski said.

“The LEED process is unique in that it is not tied to particular products or trades, but certifies ‘green' using independent standards in a way that approaches the building as an integrated whole, not just a building that happens to have a couple of sustainable products used in its construction.”

Pawlowski has been trained in how to incorporate sustainable building principals in a way that suits the project, site and its users without significant added cost, he added.

The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings administered by USGBC.

Contact Siteline Architecture (530) 478-9415 or visit www.SitelineArch.com. The office is at 644 Zion St., Nevada City.

Learn more about the Green Building Council at www.usgbc.org.