Living Building Challenge

Moving Beyond Green Sustainability to Regenerative Living

What if every single act of design and construction made the world a better place?

If every intervention resulted in greater biodiversity and social equity; a deeper understanding of climate, culture, and place; a more profound sense of what it means to be a citizen of a planet where resources and opportunities are provided fairly and equitably. This is what the Living Building Challenge asks.

Imagine a world where we look to Mother Nature, and like a flower, regenerative spaces give more than they take; connect occupants to light, air, food, nature, and community; are self-sufficient within the resource limits of their site; and create a positive impact on human and natural systems.

Such is the vision of the Living Building Challenge and the intention of the Infinity Home. This project will be a showcase of deep green technologies, systems, products, and lifestyle. Jason McLennan, considered one of the world’s most influential architects in the green building regenerative design movement and creator of the Living Building Challenge, has been retained to design the Infinity Home. It is the owner’s and design team’s intention that the home, likely to be the first California residence to achieve full LBC status, will become a role model of transformative sustainability and regenerative design “redefining the future of the built environment”.

The project is registered with Living Building Challenge 3.1. The Living Building Challenge is organized into seven performance areas or “petals”. Below are some of the ways the imperatives of each petal will be met.

PLACE PETAL The Infinity Home is located on the Pacific Flyway drawing year around waterfowl to the premises; the plantings attract birds and butterflies. Space is allotted for food production. The home will be equipped with two electric vehicle charging stations. A beautiful spiral staircase encourages exercise.

WATER PETAL Likely the most challenging of the petals, all of the Infinity Home’s water use will come from captured precipitation. Furthermore, all storm water and used water discharge will be managed on-site for its water demands. Water will serve to bring a sense of nature into the home by possible extension of the water wall into the interior.

ENERGY Petal The Infinity Home will first look to design strategies, such as reliance on passive energy, an efficient building envelope, LED lighting and energy star appliances to reduce its energy demand. The difference will be met by solar or geothermal sources to reach a net positive energy goal thus doing our part to minimize the effects of climate change arising from fossil fuel carbon emissions.

HEALTH AND HAPPINESS PETAL The Infinity Home’s operable window wall and extensive use of glass allows for fresh air and daylight to permeate every major living space. The soft curvilinear path beginning at the front entry water wall and extending through the home out to the dock mimics the pattern of the golden ratio, further providing a seamless connection to the outdoors. The five universal elements of earth, water, fire, air and space are experienced in the home’s presence. Engaging each of our six senses-sight, smell, touch, sound, taste and intuition--the bouquet of the space is experienced in all its dimensions.

MATERIALS PETAL The healthy Home will be safe from toxic materials and chemicals such as PVC, VOC, and formaldehyde and incorporate advanced air purification system to prevent growth of bacteria. It will be a showcase for many local materials, products and craftspeople. The project will engage in extensive jobsite recycling minimizing construction waste to the landfill.

EQUITY PETAL The Infinity Home intends to use products and services provided by B corporations or those with a JUST label as well as women and minority owned businesses, whenever feasible. Major pathways and living areas are accessible to the disabled. The home is located in a market rate neighborhood and will use strategies of affordability.

BEAUTY PETAL The Infinity Home is inspired by the aesthetically pleasing sacred geometry in the curvilinear form of the nautilus. The home considers the body’s circadian rhythm and vibrational frequency in its selection of colors, surprises and delights in its unexpected humorous elements, and celebrates work of local artists. It also honors the Patwin Native Americans who originally inhabited the land.  The home will serve as a living laboratory and an educational venue for the public.