Introduction to the Living Building Challenge
The Living Building Challenge (LBC) pushes beyond sustainability into regenerative design that restores both people and nature. Its seven Petals—covering Place, Water, Energy, Health, Materials, Equity, and Beauty—align directly with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. Award-winning projects like the Bullitt Center and Kendeda Building show how closed-loop water systems, net positive energy, and safe materials can become real, scalable solutions. Beyond certification, LBC is a philosophy and advocacy tool that inspires us to create buildings that educate, connect communities, and positively impact future generations.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will identify key Living Building Challenge Petals and understand how each petal drives regenerative and restorative building practices.
- Participants will analyze case studies (e.g., Bullitt Center, Kendeda Building) to see practical strategies for achieving net-positive energy, water balance, and healthier materials.
- Participants will learn to apply Living Building Challenge principles as advocacy and design tools to strengthen sustainability initiatives and inspire transformational change in future projects.
- Participants will learn how the Living Building Challenge philosophy and certification framework align with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence.
This course is under evaluation for continuing education credits by AIA CES.