Caldeira, Space, Waite, Valentine and Wierszchalek of Vision 3 Architects earn LEED AP

Joseph Caldeira, Jennifer Space, Christopher Waite, Frank Wierszchalek, and Brian Valentine, all of Vision 3 Architects have completed the U.S. Green Building Council's certification requirements to become LEED Accredited Professionals. Their achievement brings the number of LEED APs on Vision 3's staff to 18. Caldeira is a graduate of Boston Architectural College and has over 20 years of design and management experience. As senior project manager and team leader of the education team, Caldeira manages all of Vision 3's education design projects, including the Grace Visitor Center at Johnson & Wales University which is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification. Caldeira recently participated in Rhode Island's Green Economy Roundtable, a collaboration of Rhode Island's brightest and most forward-thinking individuals who gathered to create a clear plan for the growth and advancement of a green economy in Rhode Island. Space graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a Master of architecture degree. She is a member of AIA Rhode Island's committee on the environment. Space is working on Briarcliffe Manor, a new, 43-bed Alzheimer care facility which is expected to become a national model for Alzheimer and early dementia facilities. Waite graduated from Roger Williams University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He is the team leader for Vision 3's corporate office team. He is overseeing design of a new 340,000 s/f world headquarters corporate office building registered with the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED Silver certification. Wierszchalek received his Masters of Architecture and Bachelor of Science degrees from Roger Williams University. He is working on the new Providence Community Health Centers headquarters building. This project is in the early stages of design, and is being planned to achieve LEED certification. Valentine graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University. He is working on the new 39,000 s/f Child & Family headquarters building under construction in Middletown. It is the first building in Rhode Island to qualify for construction rebates under National Grid's "Advanced Building Systems" program for new construction. Valentine is the events coordinator for AIA Rhode Island's committee on the environment. Recently, Valentine co-founded and coordinated Rhode Island's first Green Buildings Summit. The event gathered 40 leaders from around the state to discuss the future of the environmental building movement in Rhode Island. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System is a national standard developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that provides a comprehensive framework for assessing building performance and compliance with environmental goals. By passing the LEED PA exam, Caldeira, Space, Waite, Wierszchalek, and Valentine have demonstrated their understanding of green building practices and principles, as well as proficiency with LEED specific requirements, resources, and processes. LEED AP of staff members strengthens Vision 3's ongoing commitment to provide responsible, creative, and sustainable design solutions through implementation of design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact buildings can have on the environment and occupants. As leaders of the design process, Vision 3's LEED AP guide clients, builders, and consultants through the often complex process of identifying how design decisions can impact land, water, and air quality, and the ability of people to enjoy healthy, positive experiences in the spaces created for them.