Bae-Won Koh

Title: Chair of Triangle chapter of U.S. Green Building Council; vice president and director of design of Innovative Design Inc.

Age:39

Education: Bachelor's in architectural engineering from Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea; master's in architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y.

Worked at two architectural firms in Seoul for four years; worked at CSArch (previously Collins + Scoville) in Albany, N.Y. for five years.

Green Tip: Don't be afraid to try new things. Green building is not out of the ordinary

You are meeting with members of the legislature soon. What does the green building industry want from state government?
We are offering ourselves as a resource for green building decisions. We are offering help with: immediate and long-term financial savings for government agencies; affordable, accessible, livable communities for low-income residents; a work force prepared for meeting progressive building performance expectations; and green building technologies and standards, bringing new jobs and businesses.

What are the major initiatives at Triangle USGBC?
Our mission is to educate building professionals, policy makers and the general public about green building and LEED, with ten committees working to meet the mission. I'd like to focus on three major topics this year. First, we are expanding our education programs. At the sixth annual Green NC scheduled for Sept. 9 -- a trade show of green building products and services -- we will offer several education sessions throughout the day. Second, we are reforming a statewide advocacy coalition through which we successfully achieved key legislation. Lastly, we are collaborating with several organizations that represent underserved populations to educate those who need affordable, low-maintenance homes.

Are you seeing signs of a pick-up in construction activity?
Although the recession has hit the building industry hard -- I was told at a presentation that the construction worker unemployment rate is 25 percent and for architects the rate is near 40 percent -- the green building movement has not stopped. LEED-registered projects are still growing, and the number of LEED-accredited professionals is also growing. A majority of the stimulus money has been spent on creating green jobs, the renewable energy sector and energy efficiency improvement projects. I believe green building is the best way to survive through this tough time.

How has the Triangle USGBC fared in membership?
Four years ago, our membership was slightly more than 100. Right before the recession began in 2008, we were at 380. In early 2009, we reached nearly 500 members. Since mid 2009, we have experienced a slight decline, but we remain relatively strong in retaining memberss compared to the unemployment rate in the building industry.

Green construction is said to cost more than conventional projects. Is that true, and what can green building designers do to reduce costs?
No. Green building should not cost any more than conventional projects. Statistically, the early LEED buildings used to cost a little more than non-LEED buildings mainly due to a lack of experience among designers and builders and a lack of available green materials. A study done four years ago showed a green building cost average 1.5 percent to 2 percent more than a conventional building. I believe now there is no additional cost since a lot of designers and builders have figured out how to do it for less. The best way to reduce costs is to include all stakeholders -- not just designers -- in the design process.

Where are you from and how did you land in the Triangle?
I am originally from South Korea and came to the U.S. in 1997 for a master's degree. I lived in upstate New York for seven years and came to the Triangle in 2004. I didn't know anyone in the Triangle when I moved. The only reason I decided to move was Innovative Design. I had known the firm since my master's thesis because of their early leadership in green school projects. I immediately fell in love with the area -- the weather, Southern hospitality and the people.