Over the next few weeks, we will run a Q+A blog series showcasing the ten incredible change-makers who represent our 2019 Living Future Heroes. Introducing Amira Ayoub, Sustainability Consultant for the Egypt Green Building Council:
Q: How did you become involved with ILFI?
A: In 2014, I started to learn about the Living Building Challenge (LBC) and reading about the flower metaphor. The act of building to mimic nature – that was the concept I’ve been searching for! Whenever I talk to clients or even friends, I always say that the LBC is my favorite building standard. I’ve been volunteering as a Living Future Ambassador ever since. In 2016, I became a facilitator for the Cairo Collaborative, and am now registering the first Living Building in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region!
Q: What do you consider your “aha” moment which drove you to get involved?
A: Again, I’d say it was the moment I found out about the LBC’s flower metaphor and how the standard seeks to mimic nature. We can find so many solutions in nature!
Q: Tell us how your background resulted in your career today?
A: I attended architectural school and worked in one of the top international companies in the Middle East. I worked at DAR Group for seven years, where I first learned about the LEED rating system and first found myself feeling passionate about the green building movement. Through this work, I also found myself becoming more passionate about the LBC.
Q: How do you see yourself creating a Living Future in the next five years?
A: I dream of having many Living Buildings in the MENA region. We know that a resilient future is required, and MENA is being affected by global climate change in a drastic way. Building more Living Buildings is our way of creating a resilient future to cope with what will be happening soon/ is already happening. This work is urgent and crucial, but we need to start with raising awareness here. Most people don’t know why the climate is changing, and what we should be doing to protect our future and our children.
Q: Finally, what’s your call to action to this community?
A: We need to act now. The problem we face requires us to be brave enough to do that, because we can’t wait for a better life to come along. A resilient future is the only way to ensure our survival and the survival of our children.
