Human developments have already heavily encroached on natural areas, threatening the few wild places that remain. To stop this from happening, projects may only be built on previously developed sites, either greyfield or brownfield.
To reverse the damage that has already been done to the natural environment, efforts should be made to offset the impacts of development. For each acre of development, an equal amount of land must be set aside as part of a habitat exchange.
Dependence on fossil fuels and other nonrenewable sources of energy is not a sustainable strategy for the environment, the economy, or society. Recognizing this fact, a living building will meet 100% of its energy needs with on-site renewable energy on a net annual basis.
Many of the products used in building construction contain chemicals or materials that are known to be toxic, cause detrimental impacts to human health and the environment. Therefore, the project cannot contain any of the following red list materials or chemicals: no added formaldehyde, halogenated flame retardants, PVC, Mercury, CFC's, HCFC's, neoprene, cadmium, chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethylene, wood treatments containing creosote, arsenic, or pentachlorophenol, polyurethane, lead, phthalates.
Deforestation and irresponsible use of wood resources are significant threats to the environment. Since the construction industry uses considerable amounts of wood, efforts should be made to source wood products from sustainably managed forests. All wood must be FSC certified or from salvaged sources.
Transportation vehicles release significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change. Emissions also contribute to air pollution. In an effort to minimize these impacts and to support local economies, the materials and services for the project must adhere to a maximum distance list, outlined in the Living Building Challenge.
A significant percentage of waste in landfills comes from construction activities. Most of this construction waste can be reused or recycled into other usable products. Construction waste from the project must be diverted from landfills according to the percentages presented in the Living Building Challenge.
Fresh, clean water is a precious and limited resource, but current use patterns in the built environment do not reflect this fact. In a living building, 100% of occupants' water use must come from captured precipitation or reused water that is appropriately purified without the use of chemicals.
Standard building practices alter the processes and flows of the water cycle. As more land area becomes impervious, less water soaks in to recharge underground aquifers, and more water runs off to downstream locations. For a living building, 100% of storm water and building water discharge must be handled on-site.
Buildings should provide a healthy and comfortable environment for its occupants. People generally are more content when they have some control over their environment. For the project, every occupied space must have operable windows that provide access to fresh air and daylight.
Poor indoor air quality from chemical pollutants and inadequate ventilation has led to the "sick building syndrome" in many modern buildings. To provide healthier indoor air quality, the project must meet certain criteria outlined in the Living Building Challenge, which contain pollutant sources, provide adequate ventilation, and limit VOC emissions from building materials.
A steady supply of fresh air in buildings is important to the health of building occupants. Inadequate ventilation fails to flush contaminants from the building and causes stale air to build up. A living building must be designed to deliver air change rates in compliance with California Title 24 requirements.
In order to be successful, sustainable design must inspire and elevate our spirits. Beauty is a precursor to caring enough to preserve, conserve, and serve the greater good. The project must contain design features intended solely for human delight and the celebration of culture, spirit, and place appropriate to the function of the building.
A living building plays an active role in its social, natural, and economic environment. Part of this role involves teaching and inspiring others to develop a sustainability ethic. Educational materials about the performance and operation of the project must be made available to the public in order to inspire and educate. Non-sensitive areas of the building must be held open to the public at least one day per year, to facilitate direct contact with a truly sustainable building.
