Built America Magazine | West
“Our most recent Living Building is, in the words of its owner/investors, ‘proving technical feasibility and financial viability for private investors’, ” Carey-Moore shares. “It showcases regenerative systems while also supporting a local nonprofit with low- cost renewable energy.” In the South, where climate conditions can be more challenging, the Kendeda Building at Georgia Tech raises the bar again. Built on a reclaimed parking lot, it integrates food production, stormwater management, and daylighting. It sourced more than 50% of its materials — including salvaged wood — from within a 621-mile radius, while avoiding chemicals of concern through Living Future’s Red List requirements. “It’s helping shift the industry,” Carey- Moore notes. “And it’s educating thousands in the process — students, architects, policymakers. This is the ripple effect we aim for.” Transparency, Equity, and the Power of Materials While water and energy systems often take the spotlight, Living Future is also transforming the way the industry approaches materials and equity — two often overlooked pillars of regenerative design. Through its Declare label , Living Future has created a “nutrition label” for building materials, making the invisible visible. With over 18,000 products from nearly 400 manufacturers now labeled, it’s become a vital tool for transparency, health, and reformulation.
IMAGE BY: JONATHAN HILLYER KENDEDA BUILDING | COURTESY OF KENDEDA FUND
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