Senior environmental consultant qualifies as 'EDGE expert’

Shikha Bhardwaj, senior environmental consultant at ChapmanBDSP, has qualified as an 'EDGE expert’, expanding the company’s offering in a building certification system used in 140 countries.

EDGE, the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies certificate, is an internationally recognised sustainability model which is backed by the World Bank Group and helps building owners in developing countries create better buildings. It can be used to certify homes, hotels, offices, retail and hospitals at any stage of their life-cycle and focuses on the financial benefits of resource efficiency.

ChapmanBDSP, a multi-disciplinary building services consultancy that has delivered major projects across a range of sectors, has delivered several landmark projects in Africa, including Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana, where the certification is becoming widely used.

The company provided mechanical, electrical, public health and environmental services for the Britam Tower, the first Edge rated building in Kenya. The tower, which is also the tallest building in Kenya, has been shortlisted as 'International Project of the Year' at this year's Building Awards.

As an ‘EDGE expert’, Shikha will focus on improving clients’ understanding of green design principles to EDGE standard and help facilitate applications for the certification. She said: ‘I am looking forward to using the certification to helping clients in emerging economies grow the green environment.’

Shikha joined ChampanBSDP’s environmental team as a graduate four years ago and has worked on sustainable masterplans for cities around the world. Now a senior environmental consultant, she has collaborated with the world’s leading architects and has worked on the ‘The Observation Tower’ project in Dubai, Battersea Power Station and the DCN Madrid project with Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners.

Chris Cummings, technical director at ChapmanBDSP, added: ‘We are constantly seeking to expand our knowledge base and build our range of services, so having one of our rising stars acknowledged as an expert in the delivery of EDGE is a great achievement. Well done Shikha.’