In the dynamic realm of regenerative design, products, and organizations, the Living Future 2024 Conference (LF24) emerges as a paramount gathering for experienced and emerging leaders. Themed “Change Starts Here,” LF24 serves as an immersive exploration into the interconnected principles of the regenerative movement—climate, health, and equity. In this article, we delve into the profound significance of these principles, examining regenerative practices at various levels, scrutinizing the conference tracks aligned with regenerative ideals, and offering a sneak peek into the remarkable speakers and talks that will shape the discourse.
Climate, Health, and Equity: The Interconnected Pillars of Regenerative Principles
At the heart of the regenerative movement lie three interconnected pillars: climate resilience, human health, and social equity. At the International Living Future Institute, we believe this holistic approach is critical to achieving a regenerative future.
Climate Resilience
Regenerative design recognizes the urgency of climate action goes beyond mere sustainability, aiming to actively regenerate ecosystems and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Human and Ecological Health
Regenerative practices extend beyond minimizing harm; they actively promote well-being, not just for building occupants but also for the local ecology.
Social Equity
True sustainability cannot exist without social equity. The regenerative movement emphasizes inclusivity, justice, and community resilience.
We will explore the intersection of these pillars of regenerative development at LF24 as the programming seeks to intertwine these principles with its overarching theme, acknowledging that true sustainability transcends environmental considerations alone.
Exploring the Vanguard Issues of the Regenerative Principles through LF24 Conference Tracks
LF24 boasts a diverse range of conference tracks, each aligned with the three core regenerative principles. These tracks provide a structured framework for attendees to explore specialized areas within the regenerative movement:
LF24 Track: Revolutionizing Climate Action
Explore game-changing net positive strategies, groundbreaking technologies, and bold policies aimed at tackling climate change within the realm of regenerative development. Gain insights into how zero carbon buildings, renewable energy integration, climate resilience solutions, and circular economy practices are actively shaping a regenerative future.
| Featured Session Mass Timber: The Southeast’s Homegrown Sustainability Solution | |
| Sam Culpepper, Southface Energy Institute, Inc. Nick DiLuzio, Georgia Forestry Foundation Troy Harris, Jamestown LP Steve Willobee, Harbor Bay Adventures | Georgia is the third-largest lumber producing state in the US, and increasing interest in reducing carbon footprints and using local materials is helping to drive a surge in mass timber projects in the Southeast. Together, we’ll explore unique embodied carbon and biophilic advantages from America’s leading mass timber developer, Harbor Bay Ventures. Learn about inspiring real-world examples of projects across the region, including Jamestown LP’s 619 Ponce project in Atlanta, and the Georgia Forestry Foundation’s new Mass Timber Accelerator program that’s supported by the USDA Forest Service. With sustainable building solutions growing in our neck of the woods, why go anywhere else? |
LF24 Track: The Nexus of Human and Ecological Health
Discover the transformative potential of designing spaces that support human health and enhance the vitality of ecosystems. Delve into the profound connections between regenerative development and the well-being of both people and the planet.
| Featured Session Leveraging Nature-Based Solutions for Resilient and Thriving Cities | |
| Charles Ormsby, Arup Nicholas Swedberg, Arup Linda Toth, Arup | An interplay of built infrastructure, resource flows, natural elements, and people, cities must harmonize with nature to flourish in the face of increasing threats from climate change. Consequently, planners, designers, and policy makers must learn to deploy nature-based solutions that bring benefits beyond conventional-engineering solutions. In this session, Arup will present its Sponge Cities and UHeat Snapshots, including its latest assessment for Atlanta. Attendees will then partake in a charrette with Arup specialists to apply nature-based solutions to an urban case study to increase “sponginess,” mitigate urban heat risks, restore ecosystems, and sustain green, thriving neighborhoods. |
LF24 Track: Illuminating an Equitable Future
Prepare to challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to build inclusive, just, and equitable communities. Engage in dynamic sessions spotlighting affordable housing breakthroughs, community-driven engagement models, visionary approaches to equitable access and empowerment, and economic opportunities arising from regenerative development.
| Featured Session Rebuilding Haiti Sustainably: Lessons from a Living Building in Port-Au-Prince | |
| Luis Huertas, Sustainable Design Consulting David Pierre-Louis, Kay Tita Herve Sabin, Studio Drum Collaborative | Join us for an engaging panel discussion that delves deep into the heart of sustainable reconstruction in Haiti. We’ll explore a groundbreaking building project in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which is pursuing Living Building Certification. This project serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the entire region, showcasing how a single structure can ignite broader transformation in the face of adversity. |
LF24 Track: Change Starts Here
This conference track delves deep into the core theme of the conference, offering a focused exploration of central ideas, concepts, and challenges related to the event. Get immersed in stories of success that become beacons, radiating positive influence and inspiring transformative action beyond boundaries.
| Featured Session LBC & Making the Case: A Replicable Process for Certification Pursuit | |
| Caroline VanHarmelen, King County Metro Emily Reese, Jacobs Jamie Strausz-Clark, 3Si | How can we help Owners decide the best paths for their projects while remaining objective? For King County Metro’s South Annex Base project, team members worked side-by-side in planning and predesign phases to identify systematic, replicable approaches to navigating numerous complex certifications while balancing equity needs with other policies and goals. This session will share highlights and review detailed investigative processes that resulted in paths to maximized sustainable outcomes. The results? Data-driven tools that provided quantifiable ways for the project to choose the certification most aligned with all sustainability needs, wants, and must-haves: The Living Building Challenge. |
Discovering Living Future Programs & Projects
Discover ILFI programs and how they catalyze the regenerative design movement and offer key tools, as well as hear from project case studies. This track provides an opportunity to connect with ILFI leadership and gain key updates and information on Living Future programs.
| Featured Session Declare and the Living Product Challenge: Pushing the Movement for Market Transformation Forward | |
| Mike Johnson, ILFI Annie Bevan, Mindful MATERIALS Hannah Ray, ILFI | Delve into the dynamic landscape of sustainable building materials and transparency programs. Over the last two decades, substantial strides have been made in fostering safe, eco-friendly, and socially responsible material production. The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) has been at the forefront of this revolution with pioneering initiatives like the Red List, Living Product Challenge, and Declare label program. While significant progress has been achieved, we’re still far from the ultimate goal. Join us in this session to learn how to get involved and uncover ILFI’s ongoing evolution of these programs, as we collaborate with industry partners to drive greater alignment and spur the sustainable building revolution forward. |
A Call to Leadership in Regenerative Practices to Come Together at LF24
As experienced and emerging leaders within regenerative design, products, and organizations, LF24 provides the community for the critical exploration of climate, health, and equity that aligns seamlessly with the interconnected principles of the regenerative movement. It offers a multifaceted examination of regenerative practices at various levels and provides a structured framework through its diverse conference tracks.
The speakers and talks at LF24 promise to be a source of inspiration, offering valuable insights and practical knowledge to fuel our journey toward regenerative futures. As we collectively engage in this deep dive into regenerative principles, let us seize the opportunity to shape the discourse, share our experiences, and contribute to the regenerative movement’s momentum. “Change Starts Here,” and within the immersive landscape of LF24, leaders in regenerative practices are poised to be architects of that change.
