Living Buildings: Beyond Zero Impact

The Living Building Challenge goes further than any other standard. It requires buildings to generate more energy than they consume, capture and treat all their water, and use only non-toxic, locally sourced materials. Only a few dozen buildings worldwide have earned full Living certification — the standard is that demanding.

Seattle's Bullitt Center is the poster child. Its solar array produces 60% more electricity than the building consumes. Composting toilets eliminate sewage. Rainwater becomes drinking water. The building has a 250-year design life — most commercial buildings last 40 to 60.