MAY 2025 | BUILT AMERICA MAGAZINE | WEST

And the standard doesn’t accept aspirations — only evidence. Buildings must demonstrate performance for 12 continuous months, backed by data, air quality testing, and occupant surveys, before achieving certification. “Buildings and construction activities impact everything from soil and water quality to community dynamics and public health,” Carey-Moore says. “We encourage project teams to think holistically about the role they can play.” From Icons to Influence: Buildings That Are Changing the World

Some of the most visionary projects in North America have achieved LBC certification — and each one proves that regenerative architecture isn’t just possible; it’s already here. In Seattle, the Bullitt Center has become a global icon. Built without toxic materials, generating more energy than it consumes, and harvesting rainwater for all of its needs, it stands as proof that high-performance, net- positive buildings can thrive in urban environments. In Portland, the PAE Living Building offers something even rarer — financial validation. With a 10% internal rate of return over 10 years and premium rents, the building is redefining what return on investment looks like.

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