The Living Building Challenge is currently the most rigorous benchmark of sustainability in the built environment. It is the gold standard against which all others are measured.
Living Building Challenge comprises seven performance areas: site, water, energy, health, materials, equity and beauty. These are subdivided into a total of twenty Imperatives, each of which focuses on a specific sphere of influence. The targets are rigorous and set at the highest conceivable level. Every project must meet each of the 20 strict requirements to achieve the certification.
The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is widely considered the most stringent green building standard in the world. Run by the International Living Future Institute, LBC encourages net-zero or net-positive impact on virtually everything the built environment touches. Its requirements are categorized under seven “petals”, including Place, Water, Energy, Health, Materials, Equity and Beauty. To achieve LBC certification, everything is a prerequisite. This differs from LEED, within which project teams can choose among credits.
van Zelm is currently designing a number of projects according to Living Building standards, including the new 550,000 gsf Science Complex, which is expected to achieve new performance goals in energy efficiency and the quality of its work environments. Living Buildings are regenerative buildings that connect occupants to light, air, food, nature, and community. Living Buildings are self-sufficient and remain within the resource limits of their site . . .
Living Buildings are designed and built to create a positive impact on the human and natural systems that interact with them.