Phuket Business: Local firm takes the LEED in sustainability

PHUKET: The island-based construction and development firm, Development Management Group Co Ltd (DMG), recently announced that its Sustainability Manager, John Covello has earned his LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) certification.

The designation, with a specialization in Building Design and Construction, makes John one of a small number of sustainable building specialists in Thailand.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a certification system overseen by the US Green Building Council.

Each LEED AP must pass an accreditation exam administered by the US Green Building Certification Institute.

The designation demonstrates technical competence with regard to green building practices and principles, as well as LEED requirements, resources, and processes.

John joins DMG’s existing team of LEED APs and Green Associates, who identify themselves as “professionals with knowledge of the best strategies for incorporating green building principles”.

“We are seeing more and more owners and building operators in Southeast Asia interested in sustainability, simply because of the sound financial return provided by the operating expense savings from a sustainable and green building,” said David Arell of DMG.

DMG’s client base includes owners, developers, real estate investors and buyers of luxury resort and residential developments. Its business scope spans everything from single superbly-crafted oceanfront villas to high-yield resort developments, with a working mission to “take clients’ goals to heart and commit highly-qualified personnel and polished management systems to carry dreams from concept to reality.”

DMG owner, O B Wetzell, concludes, “The prudence of sustainability and environmental sensitivity is axiomatic to DMG’s management practices.”

LEED is a certification program for new and renovated buildings that encourages the process of a holistic approach to sustainable building. The program is voluntary and has created a methodical multi-step process for the implementation of strategies for better energy, environmental and health performance of buildings.