We encourage those considering certification to learn more about the framing aspects of the Challenge, including the Petals and Imperatives, Typologies and Transects within the Understanding the Challenge section. Beyond this basic framework, the Institute also offers an array of support resources to help teams navigate the journey from inspired vision to certified project.
The Dialogue
The Dialogue is an online host for the transparent exchange of ideas between project teams and the Institute. It is the official venue to request feedback on proposed strategies for meeting the requirements of the Living Building Challenge. While only active, registered project teams can submit requests to the Dialogue, final published requests and responses are available to all Living Building Challenge Community Subscribers. The Dialogue allows for current unknowns to be discovered and shared in real time as teams proceed with their projects and research. It provides teams with the flexibility to get information most relevant to their work, such as in-depth commentaries, compliance paths, clarifications and temporary exceptions.
Petal Handbooks
Petal Handbooks compile technical information, including definitions, clarificiations and exceptions, contained within the Dialogue into concise, printable documents. There will be a dedicated Handbook for each Petal, starting with the Materials Petal Handbook.
Declare
By providing manufacturers and specifiers of building materials a clear, elegant and informative ‘nutrition-label’, Declare aims to transform the marketplace through transparency and open communication.
Technical Assistance
Because the Living Building Challenge defines priorities on both a technical level and as a set of core values, it requires an approach to design, construction and operation that is fundamentally different than the conventional structure. The Institute wants every undertaking to be successful on multiple levels. It supports a project team’s process of adopting the principles of the Challenge by offering optional services that provide practical knowledge. Consider our Charrette Facilitiation, Design Development Guidance and In-House Workshop offerings, or customize your own consultation.
Living Building Challenge Education
In addition to the technical support offed by the tools and resources listed above, the Living Building Challenge also offers educational opportunities. The flagship event is a full-day public workshop, Understanding the Living Building Challenge. Learn More.
Research
The biggest barriers to a transformed built environment and re-focused building industry are not technical: we have the skills and technology needed to thrive in partnership with the resources that sustain us. Instead, as many innovative project teams have found, outdated regulatory and financial structures can make it difficult to implement ecologically wise building practices that advance public health and enhance the long-term resiliency of the built environment. These barriers are the guiding force in our research and advocacy agendas. For reports on water, energy, codes, finance and building reuse, visit our Research section.