Recently I went to a presentation about The Chesapeake Bay Foundation. During the presentation, the speaker talked about how their new education center was trying the "Living Building Challenge." On the right is an infographic, put together by Skanska, that explains the challenge through the eyes of the first Living Building, a science classroom addition to a school in Seattle. These are the most rigorous building requirements out there. What I love about this challenge is that the goals are challenging, but not impossible. They set the high bar, but the bar is within reach. Another great thing about the LBC is that it encourages community interaction and education. They understand that a pretty building, even with all of the amazing technology and green requirements, is just a pretty building to most. Without information and noticeable features, the technology will go mostly unnoticed, but to a handful of people. This challenge thinks about everything, from the net zero energy requirements to the use of construction vehicles. The details are what makes this amazing. If the right person looks at this challenge and even just takes a piece of it to their next building or school, the changes could be amazing. This challenge is inspiring and I hope more people get to see it and understand it. It truly sets a standard for our future. There are a small number of buildings that won this challenge, but if we could really research each of those buildings and put together a good amount of information to send to architects, builders, designers etc. I think they would be so much more open to an idea like this. The future of this is getting the idea out there and educating them on it. | |
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Cassie HowardA high school student aspiring to change the world through green technology and sustainability. Archives
April 2015
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