LBC: Nature-Inspired challenge..!
Improvements to the existing buildings based on the prevailing challenges have always been done across the time. Many researchers have developed conceptual frameworks and have come a long way with respect to the built environment. At every point of time, we have a buzz word which works for that particular period such as green design, eco-efficient design etc. However, these approaches try to remediate the mistakes that we as humans have made and have a neutral impact on the environment while maintaining the existing resources.
What if we have been doing it wrong all this time?
Paradigm shift happens when the predecessor fails to explain the complex problems of this world and needs a new pathway to be evolved to replace the old.
The broad debate on the paradigm shift from sustainable design to regenerative design is being done lately saying the latter is good for the environment as it strives to have a positive impact on the environment rather than neutral. What we need is a system that is whole and takes nature as its partner rather than a less bad approach.
Living Building Challenge seeks to have this whole regenerative system. It set a challenge for everyone to transform their degenerating practices to regenerative ones. Globally accredited, this certification’s target is to influence people to move forward with a positive inclination towards nature. LBC uses flower as an analogy for the building by saying that it is an onsite resource just like how the flower is to its plant. Everything LBC promotes is to generate on-site resources such as electricity, food, connection to nature, habitat protection, vernacular architecture, recycled material use and resources from waste. It strives to educate and inspire people to take up this challenge and make the space meaningful. It depicts all these categories into ‘petals’ of a flower for certification to be achieved. One of the world’s net positive buildings is Burwoods Brickworks retail centre developed by Frasers property which strives for LBC accreditation.
This can be a great chance to be aware of having a positive impact on the environment.
