While in Atlanta for the opening of the Georgia Institute of Technology’s new Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, ILFI CEO Amanda Sturgeon visited another site interested in Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification: the Midtown International School (MIS). Inspired in part by the Kendeda Building’s success, MIS has committed to regenerative design for all of its future building projects. This includes a planned campus expansion that will include 80,000 square feet of classroom and activity spaces on a new site. MIS will start by pursuing LBC certification and later move on to Living Community Certification (LCC).
“We know that a regenerative building can be built in the South. The Kendeda Building’s team has done that great service for us,” said MIS Founder and Head of School, Ande Noktes, in an article for the Living Building Chronicle. “So how can a school, being in the business of the future, say, ‘No, thank you, but we are going to just build to code’?”
In addition to making regenerative design a priority for the MIS campus, the school curriculum offers a biophilic design elective class for its junior high and high school students. Amanda Sturgeon spoke to the biophilic design students about the value of biophilic design and the challenges of being a woman leader. Here are the uplifting, thoughtful, and intelligent remarks that the students had to say about Sturgeon’s visit:
Sophie Buresh and Gordon Nicholson, Junior High Biophilic Design Class:
Biophilic design is an extremely intriguing and thought-provoking class. I originally chose this class because of the interesting title, but after being in it for a while, I’ve learned that it’s more than just a fancy name. The class is an opportunity to learn together with my classmates about preserving and improving the beautiful earth that we live on. I am intrigued by the ways I can integrate the biophilic principles into whatever profession that I choose to pursue.
During Amanda Sturgeon’s visit, she discussed what the Living Building Challenge is and I could tell that many people were interested. The Living Building project challenges one to design an eco-friendly building that leaves zero carbon footprint. It creates an environmentally friendly living space for humans in a natural environment that is better for all living things. While she was speaking, I was very intrigued and wanted to learn more about the subject. She was very kind and cooperative which helped me tune in to what she was saying much more.
The MIS Biophilic Design class enjoyed her speech just as much as I did. They felt more optimistic about the future because of the work Amanda and the ILFI are doing in the world. They also enjoy this class because they now understand more about how animals and plants can inspire possible solutions for future problems and how everything is deeply connected through nature. My Classmate Inigo Wolfe-Suarez is interested in utilizing efficient alternate food sources and is intrigued by how different animals work together. Another student, Edgewood Neilson, said, “I really enjoy this class. I enjoy understanding more about how animals and plants can inspire possible solutions to important human problems.” Nadia, another member of our class, says she enjoys this class because it incorporates design – one of her favorite activities. I personally feel that if a school used the Living Building Challenge for their buildings, it would help with the education of the children and with their overall future.
Sabrina Skolnick, Midtown International School Sophomore and Student Council Member:
As I walked onto the deck where Amanda Sturgeon’s talk would occur, I did not know what to expect from this CEO extraordinaire.
As Ms. Sturgeon started, I listened to the interesting words she said about her building and life experiences. She seemed to be confident in her words and portrayed a message of hope for the future. It seems the world is currently depending on youth to solve climate issues, yet we are still young and naive about what we have to do. I am glad to witness a solution that is positively affecting the world’s environment. At MIS, the mindset is to be globally-minded and the students are encouraged to be active members of the community. I have hopes to pursue a career in engineering. As a result of this experience, I am motivated to pursue my dream career with new determination, and I realize the importance of women in all fields. I hope to be a prominent member of the regenerative design initiative to help our world, but until then, I am confident that Amanda Sturgeon will.
Olivia Mcnamara, Midtown International School Sophomore and Student Council Secretary:
Getting the opportunity to hear from Ms. Sturgeon was an incredible eye-opening experience for the students of Midtown International School. Being such a small school, it is vital that we have speakers come in from different backgrounds in order to infuse diverse thinking and opinions into our student body. One of MIS’ fundamental ideals is that we are ever-evolving and changing to adapt to the world around us, being mindful to never be stuck in an old mindset. The continuous implementation of new thoughts, ideas, and values plays a momentous role when it comes to our evolution and adaptation.
When Ms. Sturgeon came to speak to us, the school’s eldest students, she inspired a new and different way of thinking. Climate change is such a prevalent issue in today’s day and age, and our youth are wholeheartedly passionate about solving this issue. We take our Earth for granted, and talk about plans for the future, yet we do not discuss the fact that if there is no planet, there is no future.
Ms. Sturgeon spoke about the planet and its effect on the human mind. Her message truly put the world’s importance into perspective for many of us; that not only should we save the planet because it’s dying, but also because it is ours and we should treat it as such. Learning about MIS’ plans for the living building was monumental and necessary for our students to visualize what we can do to combat the threat of climate change. Growing and learning while surrounded by innovation and brilliance is game-changing for our young minds in the battle against global warming. Personally, I think spreading awareness about the impending threat challenging our world and how we can combat it is important. Part of my passion for spreading knowledge stems from my love of journalism and desire to eliminate ignorance. When Ms. Sturgeon addressed us, she truly opened up our eyes to a deeper level of understanding about why we should care and what we can do to save our world.
Sam Askew, Midtown International School Junior and Student Council President:
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect the afternoon that Ms. Sturgeon came to visit Midtown International. She brought a representation of realism and connectivity with her during her visit that was inspiring. I believe an honest opinion talking about the world and the value of the environment is invaluable and a rarity. She spoke about her experience as a woman in architecture – a typically male-dominated industry. She shared her thought process and her journey through her professional career up to this point. Hearing her thoughts was an eye-opening experience for me. It enabled me to see architecture and business in a totally different light. It made me realize that new ideas and shifts in thinking can come from professionals in all types of fields and begin a conversation that changes many perspectives.
When Ms. Sturgeon spoke about her dreams to change the approach the world takes to design and building, her passion about the subject made anything seem possible. She spoke with gratitude and pride about the parts of her dreams that have already become reality while being mindful to say that those who stand with her have helped her reach important goals. When she talked about the future, she did so with hope about things to come. What was truly inspirational was that she spoke without doubt or hesitation; she looked at us and told us that we could change the world and that she was counting on us to do just that. Ms. Sturgeon reminded us that we have a responsibility and a duty to take this torch from her hands and carry on.
Quotes have been edited for clarity and brevity.
