It’s the year 2060. A developer has gathered a group of designers to answer a request for proposals for a 250,000 ft
2 building in Portland, Oregon, built entirely with natural materials and without mechanical systems, plumbing, or electric lighting. The developer represents a company that will profit from the ecosystem services the building provides. With him are a public interest attorney, an infant named Wee One, and a salmon; these others are there to ensure that the building does not harm the socially disadvantaged, future generations, or the site’s ecology.
Sound far-fetched? That’s the point. Ralph DiNola, Assoc. AIA, a consultant with Green Building Services in Portland, used this exercise recently to kick off a charrette for the Oregon Sustainability Center, a mixed-use building that will house three clients whose purpose is to “create an intentional business community in a building that embodies their missions, values, and intentions.” The owners have asked the project team to certify the building through the Living Building Challenge (LBC), a relatively new rating system developed and administered by the Cascadia Green Building Council.
...
This page is visible only to BuildingGreen members
Read it now with a FREE 30-day trial membership to BuildingGreen Suite
