Leaders “Sustaining Hope Within Crisis” by Bringing Innovative Projects to Life

Living Future 2020 Online Highlights Increasing Momentum and Scale of Living Buildings Around the World

May 7, 2020 (SEATTLE) – Living Future 2020 Online opened today showing how leaders around the world are “Sustaining Hope Within Crisis,” by bringing innovative projects to life. 

From a winery and eco-retreat to an urban office building and school of public policy, people are finding hope and creating innovative solutions by developing Living Buildings. These new proof points represent a dramatic increase in momentum, scale, and complexity for the world’s most advanced, holistic performance standard for buildings.

Originally focused on climate change, Living Future’s theme this year is even more resonant given the pandemic facing the world today. In project after project, each groundbreaking team is showing how innovation and creative problem solving offers a sense of hope. 

“These are difficult times, but seeing so many amazing buildings, and hearing from the people who worked so hard to make them real, gives me hope for the future,” said Anthony Guerrero, Board Chair of the International Living Future Institute and Chief Real Estate and Sustainability Officer at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “These projects are showing what the new normal must look like.”

Google’s London 6 Pancras Square, a 370,000 square-foot building in London, was the first project to earn Zero Carbon certification and the first project certified by the Institute in Europe. In addition, Google was the first team to complete a Living Building Challenge Volume Program audit, which gives project teams with large portfolios a way to efficiently scale their commitments to the Institute’s mission. These accomplishments build on Google’s earlier commitment to achieve the Living Building Challenge Materials Petal on its Charleston East complex in Mountain View, California, its first “ground-up” construction project. 

The Silver Oak Winery became the first production facility to earn Living Building certification. Based in Healdsburg, California, the project is the largest building to achieve net positive energy under any of the Institute’s programs, with 2,595 solar panels generating more than 104% of its energy needs. 

These and other new certifications build on strong existing momentum. For example, Microsoft recently committed to pursue the International Living Future Institute’s Zero Carbon certification for its Silicon Valley Campus and Puget Sound Campus modernization projects. And as part of its “Step Up Commitments,” all major, new Salesforce office interiors will pursue the Institute’s Zero Carbon Certification.

With 134 certified projects and 686 registered projects, the International Living Future Institute is making waves across 34 countries. This strong international growth is reflected in the Living Future Network, with affiliates offering events, project support and advocacy in Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, and the Middle East. 

In sum, the leaders gathered for the Living Future 2020 Online event are Sustaining Hope Within Crisis by putting their heads down, rolling up their sleeves, and working hard to turn commitments into reality around the world. Each project represents a beacon of hope to the people involved and in the surrounding community. 

Taking place on May 7-8, 2020, Living Future 2020 Online is only possible due to support from Mohawk Group and a wide array of other sponsors. The Institute is thankful for their support. 

For more information, visit https://unconference.living-future.org/. 

About the International Living Future Institute

The International Living Future Institute is an environmental NGO committed to catalyzing the transformation toward communities that are socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. The Institute is premised on the belief that providing a compelling vision for the future is a fundamental requirement for reconciling humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The Institute operates the Living Building Challenge, the world’s most advanced, holistic performance standard for buildings. It is a hub for many other visionary programs that support the transformation toward a living future. Learn more at www.living-future.org.

# # #