LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE

 

The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is a performance based philosophy, certification, and advocacy tool which encourages buildings to become regenerative. The Living Building Challenge is based on actual performance rather than anticipated performance and therefore requires buildings to be operational for a minimum of twelve (12) continuous months before they are assessed and audited. In addition, the program is designed to be holistic and as such each project must address components of all seven (7) Petals.

 

The program encourages the design and construction of:

A Living Building Challenge Assessment must be undertaken after the project has been operational for a minimum of twelve (12) months. Each project must comply with aspects of all seven (7) Petals and their associated imperatives.

 

1. Place

The Place Petal encourages the restoration of a healthy relationship between nature, place and community. The Petal consists of two (2) core imperatives and two (2) imperatives:

Core Imperatives

1. Ecology of Place - Project protects wild and ecologically significant places whilst encouraging ecological regeneration and the enhanced function of local communities and places.
2. Human-Scaled Living - Project contributes to the creation of walkable, pedestrian-oriented communities that reduce usage of fossil fuel vehicles.

Imperatives

1. Urban Agriculture - Project integrates opportunities for the local community to grow fresh food.
2. Habitat Exchange - Project protects the land of other species.
   
   

2. water

The Water Petal encourages the creation of developments which operate within the water balance of the location and climate. The Petal consists of one (1) core imperative and one (1) imperative.

Core Imperative

1. Responsible Water Use - Projects minimise wastage and use of potable water, as well as avoiding downstream impacts and pollution.

Imperative

1. Net Positive Water - Projects balance the use and release of water to work with the natural water flows of the site and its surroundings.
   
   

3. Energy

The Energy Petal encourages projects to rely on renewable resources. The Petal consists of one (1) core imperative and one (1) imperative.

Core Imperative

1. Energy + Carbon Reduction - Projects must minimise energy-related carbon emissions which are contributing to climate change.

Imperative

1. Net Positive Carbon - Projects must implement strategies to be 'zero ready' ensuring the project can easily adapt to future renewable energy systems.
   
   

4. Health + Happiness

The Health + Happiness Petal encourages projects to foster environments that optimise both physical and psychological health as well as well being. The Petal consists of one (1) core imperative and two (2) imperatives.

Core Imperative

1. Healthy Interior Environment - Project must promote good indoor air quality and healthy interior environment.

Imperatives

1. Healthy Interior Performance - Projects must demonstrate an ongoing commitment and execution of high-quality indoor air and a healthy indoor environment.
2. Access to Nature - Projects must provide opportunities for occupants to directly connect to nature.
   
   

5. Materials

The Materials Petal encourages projects to use products that are safe for all species through time. The Petal consists of one (1) core imperative and four (4) imperatives.

Core Imperative

1. Responsible Materials - Projects must positively impact the building products market by considering transparency, sustainable extraction, local industries and waste diversion.

Imperatives

1. Red List - Projects must avoid Red List chemical classes and foster a transparent materials economy free of toxins and harmful chemicals.
2. Responsible Sourcing - Projects mist consider the sustainable extraction of materials and the transparent labelling of products.
3. Living Economy Sourcing - Projects must support local communities and businesses whilst reducing transportation impacts.
4. Net Positive Waste - Projects must integrate waste reduction into all phases of projects and consider the reuse of salvaged "waste" materials.
   
   

6. Equity

The Equity Petal encourages projects to support a just, equitable world. The Petal consists of two (2) core imperatives.

Core Imperatives

1. Universal Access - Project must provide equitable access to, and protections from negative impacts resulting from the development of the project.
2. Inclusion - Projects must create stable, safe and high-paying job opportunities for people in the local community whilst supporting local businesses.
   
   

7. Beauty

The Beauty Petal encourages the celebration of design that uplifts the human spirit. The Petal consists of two (2) core imperatives.

Core Imperatives

1. Beauty + Biophilia - Projects must connect their teams and occupants to the benefits of biophilia and incorporate biophilic design elements.
2. Education + Inspiration - Projects must provide educational materials about the operation and performance of the project to the both the occupants and the public to share successful solutions and catalyze change.

 

The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is a groundbreaking standard for sustainable building. Unlike traditional green building certifications, the LBC requires actual, verified performance over a 12-month period. This ensures that buildings do not just meet minimum standards but truly excel in sustainability.

 

The LBC evaluates projects across seven critical areas known as 'Petals': Place, Water, Energy, Health + Happiness, Materials, Equity, and Beauty. Each Petal represents a core aspect of sustainability, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in eco-friendly construction.

 

The LBC offers three certification pathways to accommodate different project needs and goals. The 'Living Certification' is the most comprehensive, requiring compliance with all Imperatives across all seven Petals.

 

The 'Petal Certification' pathway allows projects to achieve certification by meeting the requirements of three Petals, including at least one of the Core Petals (Water, Energy, or Materials). This pathway offers flexibility while still demonstrating significant sustainability achievements.

 

The 'Core Certification' focuses on the essential 10 Core Imperatives, providing a streamlined yet impactful approach to sustainability. This pathway is ideal for projects that want to start their journey toward full LBC compliance.

 

Continue Reading