OVERVIEW
The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is widely considered the most stringent green building standard in the world. LBC, run by the International Living Future Institute, attempts to emulate a flower by encouraging net-zero or net-positive impact on virtually everything the built environment touches. Its requirements are categorized under seven petals:
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Place
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Water
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Energy
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Health
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Materials
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Equity
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Beauty
Through detailed “imperatives,” LBC leaves little wiggle room. Everything is a prerequisite, unlike in LEED, where project teams can choose among credits.
Here we have collected strategies, case studies, and expert commentary on how to achieve LBC certification in the real world.
IN-DEPTH
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New Label from ILFI to “Reveal” Building Energy Data
News Analysis
Buildings will be able to display a standard label showing energy use under a new program from the International Living Future Institute.
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Deep Material Vetting (That Won’t Chew Through Your Design Budget)
Webcast
In just one hour, learn how to vet products and materials (without having to earn chemistry and toxicology degrees!). Includes special access to a forum offering post-webcast product vetting support.
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LEED Offers Living Building Challenge Alignment
News Analysis
Projects certified under LBC will be able to get full LEED credit in energy and water categories without added documentation.
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The Problem with Red Lists
Primer
Having a short list of toxic chemicals to avoid is convenient, but nasty “alternatives” can sneak in the back door. Hazard screenings help solve this problem.
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ECOS Challenges Paint Industry to Disclose Ingredients
Product Review
ECOS Paints ignored “trade secret” complaints made by other manufacturers and now makes the first paints designated Red List Free for the Living Building Challenge.
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Can the Living Building Challenge Scale Up?
Op-Ed
The stringent system has already changed the world, but to reach beyond demonstration projects it has to help everyday buildings succeed.
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Beyond Living Buildings: ILFI Expands Scope to Food, Products, Communities
News Analysis
With new program announcements, the International Living Future Institute and its Living Building Challenge continue to drive innovation and transformation.
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America’s Greenest Office Building
Blog Post
The Bullitt Center in Seattle is showing that a six-story, 52,000 square-foot building can meet the net-zero-energy, net-zero-water Living Building Challenge
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Seattle School Earns World's Fourth Living Building Certification
News Brief
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New Accreditation Could Add a Living Future to Your Name
News Brief
