9 of the most impressive Living Building Challenge certified projects

To become a <a href="http://living-future.org/living-building-challenge/case-studies/certified-projects">Certified Living Building</a>, a project must prove that it interacts with the natural environment like any other helpful biological force - improving its surroundings, rather than degrading them. Using passive design techniques, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=net-zero">net-zero</a> or net-positive energy systems, and a host of other green tricks, each project works to meet <a href="http://living-future.org/lbc/about">Living Building Challenge</a> standards on seven different “petals,” or categories. These petals are Place, Water, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=Energy">Energy</a>, Health &amp; Happiness, Materials, Equity and Beauty. The following nine structures have all passed the test and become glowing examples of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=green+buildings">green buildings</a> that give back.

<a href="http://living-future.org/case-study/bechtelenvironmentalclassroom"><h1>1. Smith College Bechtel Environmental Classroom</h1></a> The Bechtel Environmental Classroom, designed by <a href="http://www.candharchitects.com">Coldham and Hartman Architects</a>, is a former pastoral observatory transformed into a green learning space in Whatley, Massachusetts. The 2,500-square-foot, single-story building serves as a part of Smith College and sits on 223 acres of pasture and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=forest">forest</a>, overlooking an old stone dump site. One of the two enclosed areas provides space for biological and environmental science classes and the other, larger area gives plenty of room for humanities seminars and other classes, such as poetry and dance. A drilled well ensures a sustainable water supply and composting toilets give back to the Earth. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=LED+lighting">LED lighting</a> and two solar panels combined ensure a gentle footprint on this peaceful site.

<a href="http://living-future.org/case-study/hpaenergylab"><h1>2. Hawaii Preparatory Academy Energy Lab</h1></a> If you are going to teach the next generation how to move forward with alternative energy, the facilities had better reflect the mission. That is just what the Hawaii Preparatory Academy Energy Lab ensured with its completely sustainable, net-zero-energy design. <a href="http://www.flansburgh.com">Flansburgh Architects</a> are behind the structure, which achieved <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=LEED+Platinum">LEED Platinum</a> certification, and its array of project rooms, state of the art research center, and laboratory. On-site filtration of wastewater, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=photovoltaic">photovoltaic</a> panels, and reflected daylight measures all impact the scope of the site’s green status.

<a href="http://living-future.org/case-study/omegacenter"><h1>3. Omega Center for Sustainable Living</h1></a> New York’s Hudson Valley is home to the <a href="https://www.eomega.or">Omega Institute for Holistic Studies</a>, where students “awaken the best in the human spirit.” The Center for Sustainable Living is dedicated to making a small a mark on its surroundings as possible, encouraging students to engage with its rigorous water filtration system which collects rainwater, sterilizes it, and disperses it for garden <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=irrigation">irrigation</a>. The <a href="http://www.bnim.com">BNIM Architects</a>-designed structure includes solar arrays for power and relies on a good amount of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=daylighting">daylighting</a> to stay illuminated. The building will hopefully meet LEED Platinum standards soon and become certified as a Living Building.

<a href="https://living-future.org/case-study/mcgilvraplacepark"><h1>4. McGilvra Place Park</h1></a> Small, urban parks are so often overlooked as opportunities for creating a living structure, and that seemed to be the case for McGilvra Place Park in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=Seattle">Seattle</a>, Washington. The 242-square-meter traffic median has now been reborn as an accessible park with reclaimed timber seating and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=native+plant">native plant</a> species. When the community requested more green space, the <a href="http://www.bullitt.org">Bullitt Foundation</a>, <a href="https://seattleparksfoundation.org">Seattle Parks Foundation</a>, <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/parks">Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation</a>, and <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/">Seattle Department of Transportation</a> delivered. Eleven century-old London Plane trees were protected and given a spotlight in the process, which included removing irrigated turf and planting native plants; because of the new greenery, water service to the site was able to be decommissioned. Possibly the best part is the designers’ pride in using the most natural solar array of all for energy: the existing tree canopy.

<a href="http://living-future.org/phipps-conservatory-center-sustainable-landscapes"><h1>5. Center for Sustainable Landscapes at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens</h1></a> The <a href="https://phipps.conservatory.org/green-innovation/at-phipps/center-for-sustainable-landscapes">Phipps Conservatory</a> and <a href="https://phipps.conservatory.org">Botanical Garden</a> in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania has always been in the business of educating the public on sustainability and the vital part that plants play in our shared environment. The addition of the Center for Sustainable Landscapes complements that mission. The former brownfield site has been restored into a net-zero-energy facility, utilizing energy from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=geothermal">geothermal</a> wells, solar panels, and a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=wind+turbine">wind turbine</a>. Because of the botanical gardens, all water captured on the site is treated and reused to reduce waste and to build the connection between plants and their human visitors. The Center for Sustainable Landscapes surely plugs into its community, with the goal of “awakening people to understand the true benefits of allowing ourselves to live, play, and work in harmony with nature.”

<a href="http://living-future.org/bullitt-center-0"><h1>6. Bullitt Center</h1></a> Central Area Seattle is home to the new headquarters of the <a href="http://www.bullitt.org">Bullitt Foundation</a>, a six-story office building housing numerous tenants who all conduct their business according to the structure’s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=net+positive">net-positive-energy</a> features. 575 photovoltaic panels power the facility and a rooftop <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=rainwater">rainwater</a> collection system treats water to potable drinking standards and supplies all other water needs throughout the building. Forest Stewardship Council certified glulam beams make up the frame, which sits upon a ground-source heat exchange system comprised of 26 wells. Health of employees is just as valuable as the health of the planet in the Bullitt Center, as well. A heavy-timber and glass-enclosed staircase encourages daily exercise with its breathtaking views of the city.

<a href="http://trimtab.living-future.org/case-study/old-oak-dojo/"><h1>7. Old Oak Dojo</big></h1> Tucked away behind a multi-family residence in Boston, Massachusetts, lies the <a href="http://oldoakdojo.com">Old Oak Dojo</a>. Designed by <a href="http://nps-architects.com">Next Phase Studios</a>, the multipurpose space literally invites the local community to convene, blurring the boundaries between public and private space. The dojo was constructed using locally-sourced timber and a number of other salvaged or <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=repurposed">repurposed</a> materials. Daylighting and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=passive">passive</a> ventilation make the space both green and low maintenance, while the nearby public transit promotes car-free transportation; a community garden bed brings neighbors together over fresh, organic produce. Water management is taken seriously at the Old Oak Dojo too, with rainwater collection, grey water storage, and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=composting+toilets">composting toilets</a> separate from the city sewer system. The net-zero-energy building is a prime spot for performances, meetings, meditation, and other community gatherings.

<a href="http://trimtab.living-future.org/case-study/betty-and-clint-josey-pavilion/"><h1>8. Betty and Clint Josey Pavilion</h1> The <a href="http://dixonwater.org">Dixon Water Foundation</a> has taken on the duty of ensuring responsible and sustainable land management throughout the great state of Texas, and the <a href="http://dixonwater.org/ranches/leo-and-pittman-units/josey-pavilion/">Betty and Clint Josey Pavilion</a> is just the space to educate the public on the importance of these practices. As described by local professor and visitor Dr. Lisa Bellows, “The pavilion is a place for learning and gathering, for laughing schoolchildren with muddy hands and ranchers swapping stories and strategies. But it is also a space for tranquility.” One of the structures, containing a herbarium, restrooms, and kitchen, is connected to the education pavilion by a shared gutter. Rainwater collected from the roof is filtered through a nearby <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=wetland">wetland</a>, creating a cycle of pumped and reused groundwater. To accommodate for the Texan heat and provide passive cooling, the pavilion becomes an <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=open+air">open-air</a> facility in the summer and an enclosed space during the winter.

The <a href="http://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/offices-operations/hampton-roads-regional-office-brock-center">Chesapeake Bay Brock Environmental Center</a> is in a prime location for visitors to witness ongoing habitat restoration and wildlife patterns, as well as participate in hands-on activities that connect humans with their natural surroundings.