Sunday, December 5, 2010

What is a Living Building?

My understanding of a living building is one that produces energy instead of using energy. It's a pretty wild idea, but one that Phipps Conservatory is working towards here in Pittsburgh. Phipps's new administrative and educational building that is just about under construction is planning to meet the "Living Building Challenge."

We are working with the South Side residents, South Side community and other local communities, architects, engineers, non-profits, students of all ages, council folks, and others to craft a design for a living building renovation of the existing historic structure at 1317 East Carson Street. At the upcoming event on December 8, 2010, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at 1317 East Carson, you'll meeet a lot of the folks that have been helping to plan this building and community transition. We'll be seeing some architects' plans for an urban farm on the rooftop and an art display created by artists of all ages: DOORS.

We're basing our project on the ideas in the book The Town That Food Saved by Ben Hewitt and The Integrative Design Guide to Green Building: Redefining the Practice of Sustainability by 7group and Bill Reed.

Join us for food, frolic, fun, and come generate the continuing plans with us. We need your help to manifest these dreams! Invite your friends and neighbors too. :)

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