Living Building Challenge
The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is widely considered the most stringent green building standard in the world. LBC, run by the International Living Future Institute, attempts to emulate a flower by encouraging regenerative design. Its requirements are categorized under seven “petals,” or categories.
Through detailed imperatives, LBC leaves little wiggle room. Everything is a prerequisite, unlike in LEED, where project teams can choose among credits.
Living Building Challenge
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Why “Zero VOC” Was Never Enough
Feature Short
We used to look for coatings, adhesives, and sealants that contained no VOCs. Great for smog prevention, but IAQ and installer health are also important.
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VOCs in LEED and Other Rating Systems
Feature Short
Most building certifications encourage low-emitting and low-VOC products, but they all do it differently. Here’s how it all fits together.
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The Living Building Challenge: Can It Really Change the World?
Feature Article
The Living Building Challenge, with its stringent, all-or-nothing requirements, is out to change the way we build. But is it actually achievable?
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How to Succeed with the Living Building Challenge: 12 Teams Share Tips
Feature Article
The bar is high—that’s obvious—but watch out for some surprising pitfalls. Here’s how dedicated teams have tackled Living Building challenges.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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What's Your Hazard Avoidance Profile?
Infographic
How early or late are you when it comes to jumping on the bandwagon to avoid toxic chemicals in buildings? Find yourself on the hazard avoidance curve.
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The Living Building Challenge Loves Me... It Loves Me Not
Infographic
Each Living Building Challenge (LBC) petal can elevate teams to new heights—or at times be the cause of unrequited love.
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Why's That on the Red List?
Explainer
Ever wonder why copper and Neoprene are flagged in some green building red lists and rating systems? Although they aren't the worst offenders, they're flagged for a good reason.
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The Problem with Red Lists
Explainer
Having a short list of toxic chemicals to avoid is convenient, but nasty “alternatives” can sneak in the back door. Hazard screenings help solve this problem.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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ECOS Challenges Paint Industry to Disclose Ingredients
Product Review
ECOS Paints ignored “trade secret” complaints made by other manufacturers and now makes the first paints designated Red List Free for the Living Building Challenge.
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Gunlocke Seat Back Goes Red-List Free Using Mushrooms
Product Review
The first furniture manufacturer incorporates Myco Board because the mushroom-based product is a sturdier alternative to plywood.
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SIREWALL: The Next Generation of Earthen Walls
Product Review
Made from local earth, rebar, and polyiso, SIREWALL rammed earth walls are beautiful, durable, and are stronger than concrete with less portland cement.
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Fiberglass, XPS, Cork? Insulation Options for LEED v4 and Living Buildings
Product Review
Choosing insulation with an eye to points in LEED v4 or Living Building Challenge compliance? Here’s how insulation materials compare.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Seattle Bends Rules for "Living Buildings"
News Analysis
A Seattle ordinance establishes a pilot program for "living buildings" that could lead to changes in land-use codes.
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Net-Zero Certification Spins Off from Living Building Challenge
News Analysis
International Living Future Institute launches net-zero energy certification program.
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Beyond Living Buildings: ILFI Expands Scope to Food, Products, Communities
News Analysis
With new program announcements, the International Living Future Institute and its Living Building Challenge continue to drive innovation and transformation.
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LEED Offers Living Building Challenge Alignment
News Analysis
Projects certified under LBC will be able to get full LEED credit in energy and water categories without added documentation.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Can the Living Building Challenge Scale Up?
Op-Ed
The stringent system has already changed the world, but to reach beyond demonstration projects it has to help everyday buildings succeed.
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America’s Greenest Office Building
Blog Post
The Bullitt Center in Seattle is showing that a six-story, 52,000 square-foot building can meet the net-zero-energy, net-zero-water Living Building Challenge
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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GSA Adopts LEED, Green Globes, Living Building Challenge, and Weimaraner
April Fools
