Mission Accomplished

Week #14 (12/07/20 - 12/11/20): Mission Accomplished

This week was a relieving and a stressful one. I was able to finish my Independent Study original work which outlines the importance of external factors in terms of material selection. I created a guide of sustainable alternatives for commonly used construction materials such as concrete, brick, and glass. After finishing the content part of it, I was thrilled to add my own creative elements to it. I used Canva, a graphic design platform, to create a title cover and chapter pages for my original work guide. Here is a picture of the cover page! I wanted my guide to match the sleekness of the cover pages, so I changed the background of the document to a light green color. My initial objective for my original work project was to identify loopholes in LEED certification. I decided that I would not completely discard the idea of reforming LEED certification, but I would rather educate myself more in-depth on an aspect of it that can prepare me in the future for reforming and actively engaging with its standards. While identifying sustainable alternatives, I found myself wondering about where these products are located, how they are packaged, and what architects do to get a hold of them. I realized it is of utmost importance to think holistically when deciding what material should be used in a construction project. I met with Griffin Peck, a college student at The University of Minnesota who helped LEED certify his own school. Speaking with Griffin helped me think about my final product more; perhaps it will have something to do with certifying Centennial High School. My goal in the coming weeks is to continue to look for a mentor through interviews. My original work is completed so I guess I can officially say "Mission Accomplished!"ーfor now.