Sara Hagos | Green Roof Professional (GRP)
Sara Hagos, GRP
Sara Hagos works as an architectural representative for IKO Industries Ltd. Her credentials include a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Haromaya University and a MASc. with distinction from Building Science Graduate Program at British Columbia Institutes of Technology (BCIT). Her MASc project is an experimental study that investigates the thermal and moisture performance and rainwater retention of various extensive green roof systems, which vary in terms of plants' existence, growing media, drainage layers, and green roof designs. The study was carried out at the Whole Building Performance Research Laboratory (WBPRL) at the Building Science Center of Excellence under the supervision of Dr. Fitsum Tariku. The project was fully funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canada Research Chair (CRC), and the School of Construction and the Environment at BCIT. The research findings were published in the Building and Environment Journal and 2022 Buildings XV International Conference organized by ASHRAE and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Contact her on Linkedin.
How did you find out about GRHC and the GRP program?
When I conducted my research project, I was looking online for training opportunities or information about green roof design, installation, and maintenance and I came across GRHC and the GRP initiative.
Why did you become a Green Roof Professional (GRP)?
As my MASc study project is on thermal and moisture transfer in green roof systems, I wanted to get more active in green roof projects and the community, expand my knowledge, and I think that being a GRP is the best way to accomplish the goal.
What does your job entail? What does your day to day look like? What is your favourite part of your job?
As an architectural representative, I review job specifications and proactively work with customers to ensuring that suitable IKO products are utilized to best support the project, create demand, and pursue opportunities at architectural and design firms, provide product knowledge training sessions such as lunch & learns, develop and manage personal relationships and participate in related association events to representing IKO commercial and building envelope products. The best part is meeting with clients, trying to understand their needs, and providing support.
What advice would you provide to someone interested in pursuing a similar career path to yourself?
Taking the GRP courses offered me confidence and credibility in the area and helped me stay current on industry advances and best practices in the field of green infrastructure. GRP classes require a solid study schedule, especially for those who are working.
What trends about green infrastructure/sustainability make you excited for the future?
Although there are various trends in green infrastructure and sustainability, I am most interested in how we can expand the green roof projects in urban areas and benefits from these systems.
How does having a GRP on projects benefit the company?
Being a GRP gives me confidence and credibility in the green infrastructure field and will help me connect with clients easily and get me involved in more green roof projects.
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is a non-profit 501(c)(6) professional industry association working to grow the green roof and wall industry throughout North America since 1999. Our mission is to develop and protect the market by increasing the awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roofs, green walls, and other forms of living architecture through education, advocacy, professional development, and celebrations of excellence.
We publish The Living Architecture Monitor quarterly online magazine where industry leaders share their insights and expertise. These articles increase awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roofs, walls and other forms of living architecture.
We also offer free access to The Living Architecture Academy, an online professional development platform which is dedicated to bringing you the best, most up to date professional training information on design, installation and maintenance practices across a wide range of green infrastructure topics. The LAA offers short lectures and multi-day courses such as: Green Roof Professional Training, Introduction to Green Walls, Biodiverse Green Roof Maintenance, and more.
We also publish the Green Pages: Industry Green Roof and Wall Directory which is designed to support you with your living architecture projects by providing a list of trusted manufacturers, suppliers of accessories, green walls, nurseries, and certified Green Roof Professionals (GRPs). From small-scale residential projects to large commercial installations, this directory has everything you need to find support to create a sustainable and beautiful living space.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
