(pronounced LIV-ing BILD-ing)

Living buildings would be those designed to derive all of their energy and water requirements from the surrounding sun, wind and rain. As they evolve, these ideal structures will require fewer resources, pollute less, and envelope their occupants with healthier interiors. Looking to nature for inspiration, living buildings would recycle everything it and its occupants use, run on sunlight or another on site renewable energy source, harvest its own water needs on site, be built with local materials, and utilize a variety of integrated systems to provide maximum comfort to its inhabitants while minimizing energy use / using only the energy it needs to sustain its inhabitants’ desired functions. In the meantime, many people think of living buildings as those actually having leafy, living façades of green roofs or green walls. These plantings provide both acoustic and thermal for the occupants, and beautiful views for the public.