Photo: One of Canada's greenest buildings is the Centre for Sustainable Development in Montreal, Quebec

Like the idea of helping to create the next generation of sustainable buildings? Don't want to invest years in university, training to become a licensed architect?

A career in green building design and drafting could be a perfect fit.

Green building design focuses on creating safe, functional structures that have minimal impact on the environment. The aim is to produce buildings that satisfy human needs and respect the surrounding ecosystem.

But what does that mean in practice? What makes a building "green"?

How is a green building drafter different from a regular draftsperson? And what kind of training do you need to get into this field?

All those answers are in this post. And by the end, you'll be better prepared to decide if a career in sustainable architecture is right for you.

Let's begin.

Updated January 2021.

Think you might want a career in architectural design, but have no real idea what training involves—or what it means to study "sustainable" architecture?

You're not so different from Robbie Hart. Robbie was a carpenter for 15 years before heading back to school to study sustainable architecture at Herzing College Montreal.

When he first started, he knew very little about eco-friendly design and had no drafting experience. Robbie understood the building process, but he'd never created technical drawings or used CAD software.

Now, just 6 months after graduation, he has built a successful freelance career as an architectural technician. Robbie is currently working for several companies, including McGee & Associes Inc. in Beaconsfield, Quebec. 

Sustainable architecture focuses on preserving the environment by using eco-friendly building methods and materials. There's been tremendous growth in this field all over the world. It's much more than a passing trend to "go green."

Herzing instructor, Sam Graceffa has over 20 years of experience in sustainable architecture and building design

Sustainable architecture is a very fast-growing field in Quebec, throughout Canada, and across the globe.

This industry is all about designing structures with minimal environmental impact. Sustainable building designers use cutting-edge technologies and products to conserve energy, lower costs, and protect natural resources.

Architectural technicians provide an essential service to architects, civil engineers, and construction companies. They combine expert drafting skills with thorough knowledge of building codes, best design practices, and creative insight.

If you're passionate about architecture and enjoy the meticulous, detailed process of creating blueprints and technical drawings, training to become an architectural technician could be your ideal career path.