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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Petal Certifications Help the Living Building Challenge Jump in Scale
August 2, 2017News Brief
With recent and upcoming certifications, the Living Building Challenge breaks out of its boutique building typology.
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Living Product Challenge Logs First Certifications
June 6, 2016News Analysis
Though only a year old, LPC has its first two entry-level certifications: Owens Corning insulation and Sirewall rammed earth.
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Behind Humanscale’s Living Product Challenge Certification
February 7, 2017News Analysis
Going big, committing early, and removing unneeded chemistry were key ingredients in certifying the Diffrient chair and Float table under LPC.
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Fiberglass, XPS, Cork? Insulation Options for LEED v4 and Living Buildings
April 4, 2017Product Review
Choosing insulation with an eye to points in LEED v4 or Living Building Challenge compliance? Here’s how insulation materials compare.
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Gunlocke Seat Back Goes Red-List Free Using Mushrooms
September 8, 2015Product Review
The first furniture manufacturer incorporates Myco Board because the mushroom-based product is a sturdier alternative to plywood.
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SIREWALL: The Next Generation of Earthen Walls
July 6, 2016Product Review
Made from local earth, rebar, and polyiso, SIREWALL rammed earth walls are beautiful, durable, and are stronger than concrete with less portland cement.
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Stone Certification Recognized in LEED v4, Living Buildings
November 7, 2016News Brief
Natural stone is one of the oldest green building materials, but it’s the newest to have a rigorous multi-attribute certification recognized by USGBC
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Deep Material Vetting (That Won’t Chew Through Your Design Budget)
April 23, 2015Webcast
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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How to Succeed with the Living Building Challenge: 12 Teams Share Tips
January 4, 2015Feature Article
The bar is high—that’s obvious—but watch out for some surprising pitfalls. Here’s how dedicated teams have tackled Living Building challenges.
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Take Control of Your Materials: Four Empowering Lessons from Teams That Beat the Red List
February 1, 2015Feature Article
Need to streamline your product vetting process? These LBC project teams have it down to a science, and anyone can apply their methods.
