The Living Building Challenge is an international program that certifies buildings and other developments as sustainable. It was started in 2006 and is managed by the non-profit International Living Future Institute. The Institute explains that the program is a philosophy, a tool used to support sustainability efforts, and a way to measure how sustainable buildings and environments are. It can be used for projects of any size, including new buildings, renovations, infrastructure, landscapes, neighborhoods, and both urban and rural areas. It is different from other programs like LEED or BREEAM.
History
The Living Building Challenge began in 2006 by the Cascadia Green Building Council, which is part of both the U.S. Green Building Council and Canada Green Building Council. Jason F. McLennan and Bob Berkebile of BNIM, an architecture and design firm, started the program. McLennan brought the program to Cascadia when he became its CEO in 2006. In May 2009, the International Living Building Institute was formed by Cascadia to manage the Living Building Challenge and its related programs.
The International Living Future Institute is a non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on helping create a global shift toward true sustainability. The Institute works with leaders in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to achieve a future that is fair, culturally diverse, and helps the environment recover.
The Institute is the main organization for the Living Building Challenge, the Cascadia Green Building Council, The Natural Step US, and Ecotone Publishing.
Intention
The Living Building Challenge aims to help create buildings that improve the environment. This program sets higher standards for buildings by moving from causing harm to helping the environment. It works to close the gap between current building practices and the positive solutions we want to achieve. This challenge encourages architects, builders, and building owners to meet these goals.
The Living Building Challenge uses a flower as a symbol to explain its framework. Founder Jason F. McLennan says flowers are a good example of regenerative buildings. Like flowers, these buildings get energy from the sun, nutrients from the soil, and water from the sky. They also provide homes for other living things and support the ecosystem around them. Flowers are beautiful and inspiring, and they adapt to their surroundings. Each petal of the flower represents a part of the framework. These parts include Materials, Place, Water, Energy, Health and Happiness, Equity, and Beauty.
The Living Building Challenge has seven performance areas: Site, Water, Energy, Health and Happiness, Materials, Equity, and Beauty.
Process
Certification depends on real performance, not on planned or expected results. Projects must be fully operational for at least 12 months in a row before being evaluated. Projects that can be certified include current or new buildings, single-family homes, multi-family homes, institutional buildings (such as government, schools, research centers, or places of worship), commercial buildings (like offices, hotels, or stores), and medical or laboratory buildings. There are three certification options: Living Building Certification, Petal Certification, and Zero Energy Certification. All certifications are based on how well the project performs.