Location: Danny Woo Community Garden, 620 S. Main Street, Seattle, WA 98104
Spend the afternoon reconnecting with the land, while helping to preserve a historic urban growing space, with a Legacy Project at the Danny Woo Community Garden. This 1.5 acre edible community garden that is managed by InterIm CDA is located in the heart of Seattle’s Chinatown/International District (CID) and has been a source of food security and cultural preservation for low income, elderly Asian-immigrants living in the area for over 40 years. More recently, the Danny Woo Community Garden became home to a chicken coop and a children’s growing space to engage the wider community and build an intergenerational connection between youth and seniors in the neighborhood.
This Legacy Project is an opportunity to get your hands dirty and participate in the rich history of the garden by providing maintenance and restoration support. After learning about the garden’s legacy of social justice, environmental stewardship, and cultural resiliency, we’ll jump into the garden to help weed, mulch, and provide small repairs to fences and pathways. We’ll end our project just in time for you to refuel at any of the numerous eateries that fill the blocks of the CID.
HOW TO PREPARE
Please wear clothes appropriate for doing physical labor in a garden. There are gender neutral restrooms and storage lockers located in the InterIm CDA office, one block from the garden. Please bring your own water and snacks to sustain yourself. This project will occur rain or shine.
HOW TO GET THERE
The garden is located at 620 S. Main St., Seattle, WA 98104, at the corner of S. Main St. and Maynard Ave. S. There is hourly paid street parking along S. Main St. Accessible bus lines include: 14, 7, 36, 70, 49. Broadway Streetcar, and Link LightRail via the International District Bus Tunnel.
Accessibility Note: As a terraced garden there are numerous staircases, narrow and uneven pathways, and limited covered areas for inclement weather. Please contact us at info@interimicda.org with specific accessibility requests to determine whether a visit to the garden will meet your needs.
THIS EVENT HAS REACHED CAPACITY AND THERE ARE NO MORE SEATS AVAILABLE.
PRICING: $65 per person
LOCATION: Westin Seattle (1900 5th Avenue, Seattle, Washington, 98101), Puget Sound room
The International Living Future Institute has seen a demonstrated need among the Living Building Challenge community for Biophilic Design resources that can take the practice from theory to reality. While progress has been made to communicate what Biophilic Design is and to demonstrate why it is crucial to a Living Future, very little has been made around the process of how to achieve it. The International Living Future Institute has brought together leading experts in the field to form an Advisory Task Force that will lead the initiative through collaboration and inclusion of existing resources. This initiative aims to achieve the goal of broad adoption of Biophilic Design among the design community, building owners and cities.
Although not required, Congress Members and Collaborative Leaders are encouraged to also attend the Water Forum (Wed, May 11, 8a - 12p). This Forum will be focused on Water Policy issues and strategies. While the focus for this Forum is on the Cascadia Region, the topics and ideas will be relevant in other locations as well and will likely provide valuable ideas for policy, education, and other action for ILFI Congresses and Collaboratives alike.
There are 3 convenient bus routes getting to the Park from the Westin 5th Ave Lobby:
From the Westin Lobby, head NW towards Virginia Street. Turn left and head SW (towards the Sound). Turn right onto 3rd Ave. There will be a bus stop halfway down the first block where you will be get on.
Bus Times:
#2 @2:05
#13 @ 2:10
#24 @2L18
Once off the bus, go to the corner of 1st and Broad Street (you may need to backtrack half a block as the bus will be turning off of Broad Street). From that corner, head SW (towards the Sound) down Broad Street. The Olympic Sculpture Park will be on your right after walking 2 blocks.
Join us for a book launch and presentation for the book Emerge: A Strategic Leadership Model for The Sustainable Building Community
Author Kathleen O’Brien brings 30-plus years as an award-winning educator, writer, strategic planner, and project consultant in the sustainable building field to her work as Founder of the EMERGE Leadership Project. Through this project, O’Brien has been providing leadership development support including training, mentoring, and tools to green building professionals and advocates with the ultimate goal of making this world a better place for all living species, now and into the future. Members of the sustainable building community who have participated in EMERGE programs have successfully launched policy initiatives, commercial enterprises, professional career transitions, community projects and more. The sustainability coordinator of one leading design firm has called EMERGE training “life-altering.” Now, O’Brien shares the strategic leadership model that is at the core of EMERGE programs, along with case studies, practical guidance, a personal leadership development template, and bonus exercises to assist you on your personal leadership journey.
Emerge: A Strategic Leadership Model for The Sustainable Building Community
Author Kathleen O’Brien brings 30-plus years as an award-winning educator, writer, strategic planner, and project consultant in the sustainable building field to her work as Founder of the EMERGE Leadership Project. Through this project, O’Brien has been providing leadership development support including training, mentoring, and tools to green building professionals and advocates with the ultimate goal of making this world a better place for all living species, now and into the future. Members of the sustainable building community who have participated in EMERGE programs have successfully launched policy initiatives, commercial enterprises, professional career transitions, community projects and more. The sustainability coordinator of one leading design firm has called EMERGE training “life-altering.” Now, O’Brien shares the strategic leadership model that is at the core of EMERGE programs, along with case studies, practical guidance, a personal leadership development template, and bonus exercises to assist you on your personal leadership journey.
The Power of Zero: Learning from the World's First Net Zero Energy Buildings
Forty percent of American energy use today comes from building operations. We have the technology today to reduce this number to zero demonstrated by the nineteen remarkable net zero energy buildings contained in The Power of Zero. Net zero energy buildings use no more energy than they generate over the course of a year. These buildings offer a powerful antidote to the myriad of problems and finite limitations associated with fossil fuel use climate change, ocean acidification, extraction impacts, defending energy supplies, and more. The Power of Zero showcases the world's leading net zero energy buildings, demonstrating tangible examples, successful strategies, and actual data for developers, designers and contractors to effectively achieve net zero energy performance. Projects include commercial, residential, and institutional buildings, both new and remodeled, in an array of different climates.
The Power of Zero is written in a transparent and readable style for both the interested layperson and the engaged technician. As well, the book contains many nuggets of technical and design wisdom for the most well-informed designer. Part I begins with an exploration of the underlying principles of and reasons for achieving net zero energy at the building and community scale, while taking a close look at the relentless toll of fossil fuel use across many sectors and geographies. Part II presents nineteen unique case studies from proven Net Zero Energy Certified projects in a variety of climates with different typologies and sizes. Best practices in design, management, and construction are also highlighted. Part III delves into the visionary master planning involved in the creation of net zero energy communities, including several case studies of leading edge existing neighborhoods operating at the forefront of low energy use. Considering this array of powerful examples and innovative concepts, the book concludes with a progressive look ahead along the regenerative path to achieving a carbon-free, Net Positive future.
The Living Building Challenge: Roots and Rise of the World’s Greenest Standard
The Living Building Challenge: Roots and Rise of the World’s Greenest Standard delves into the profoundly rigorous certification program recognized by the green design-build movement as the most inspirational and sustainable standard in the world. Author Mary Adam Thomas explores the history and ideas that influenced visionary designer Jason F. McLennan to develop the Challenge, reports on its dramatic launch, illuminates Living Building pioneers and projects, and summarizes the global attention the Standard generated in its first ten years. Dozens of industry notables add their voices to this history, rounding out a rich and engaging overview of the past, present, and highly anticipated future of the Living Building Challenge.
The ultimate multitasking is to live simultaneously in both the digital and physical worlds, using computers to maximize our powers to process intellectual data and natural environments to ignite our senses and accelerate our ability to learn and feel—combining the resurfaced "primitive" powers of our ancestors with the digital speed of our teenagers.
There's no denying the benefits of the Internet. But electronic immersion without a force to balance it creates a hole in the boat, draining our ability to pay attention, think clearly, be productive and creative. To combat these losses, our society seems to look everywhere but the natural domain for the building of better brains.
The more high-tech our lives become, the more nature we need.
Want to access a copy of available* presentation PDF's? Click here to download.
*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life
From the author of the New York Times bestseller that defined nature-deficit disorder and launched the international children-and-nature movement, Vitamin N is a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive, and practical guidebook for the whole family and the wider community, including tips not only for parents eager to share nature with their kids but also for those seeking nature-smart schools, medical professionals, and even careers. It is a dose of pure inspiration, reminding us that looking up at the stars or taking a walk in the woods is as exhilarating as it is essential, at any age.
TRACK: Equity + Fairness
Being open and transparent about all aspects of your business operations has numerous advantages for your company. Operating a transparent business demonstrates respect for employees and clients alike. When external stakeholders have the opportunity to see and understand how your business operates behind the scenes and the policies and practices that are involved in all of your business operations, it can lead to greater brand awareness and an improved business image. Maintaining open and honest communication with employees can help build loyalty and deepen employee satisfaction levels. The Millennial generation, in particular, is attracted to organizations that demonstrate transparency, honesty and authenticity.
Want to access a copy of available* presentation PDF's? Click here to download.
*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
El verdadero reto de Living Future consiste en reconocer y celebrar la diversidad con la sensibilidad de alcanzar objetivos comunes recorriendo diversos caminos a través de distintas realidades. Proceso de traducción cultural que va más allá de solamente las diferencias de la lengua en el resto del mundo incluyendo Latinoamérica. En este caso, presentaremos México y las experiencias en el proceso de establecer la mística del ILFI con las primeras edificaciones en proceso de certificación.
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*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
The challenge of building a living future is has never been just a technical challenge. This conference draws talented people who understand that we must tap the deepest reservoirs of heart as well as mind in meeting the technical challenges we face. As these challenges grow more urgent and complex, our ability to meet them as whole people has never been more essential. It constitutes a new kind of “survival equipment” that may well be as important to our success as the technical expertise we also seek to offer. In this session, Kurt Hoelting of Cascadia Mindfulness Institute will share practical mindfulness tools for cultivating well being and resilience in the heart of our most daunting challenges.
Want to access a copy of available* presentation PDF's? Click here to download.
*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
Track: Biomimicry + Biophilic Design
The Net Positive aspiration is inspiring and straightforward: give more than we take. Once we set boundaries and criteria for measurement, we can design buildings, products, and communities that fulfill the goal; e.g., buildings whose roofs capture more energy and water than their occupants use. Defining footprints as what we take, and handprints as what we give, we find a frame in which all forms of human endeavor can strive towards Net Positive. But the vision is older and deeper than this frame. Where does it come from, what does it express about us, where can we take it, and it us?
Want to access a copy of available* presentation PDF's? Click here to download.
*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
In this session participants will get outside and reconnect with nature. The session will include a short hike to Freeway Park where you will learn about the essential elements in Biomimicry. Explore and discuss function of local organisms, and understand how those functions are translated into Biomimicry Thinking.
The session will be led by Joe Zazzera and Denny Royal. Both hold MS degrees in Biomimicry and are Certified Biomimicry Professionals. Joe and Denny are key influencers in their disciplines and work to bring Biomimicry to those disciplines and beyond.
The Greenest Building: How the Bullitt Center Changes the Urban Landscape
The Greenest Building: How the Bullitt Center Changes the Urban Landscape takes readers on a private tour through the profoundly game changing Bullitt Center, the first Class A commercial office structure in the world designed and engineered to meet the rigorous demands of the Living Building Challenge.
The book begins with Part I, the contextual backstory of the Bullitt Foundation and its transition from a family based philanthropic organization to an influential ecological grant maker led by noted environmental pioneer Denis Hayes. Part II summarizes how designers, engineers, and builders engaged with forward-thinking regulators, lenders, and community members in a combined effort to create an extraordinary building that stands for what is possible in the urban built environment. Part III contains vivid details of how the project team approached and achieved the Imperatives of all seven Living Building Challenge Petals: Site, Water, Energy, Health, Materials, Equity, and Beauty. Part IV condenses the performance reports that earned the Bullitt Center its Living Building certification.
The Greenest Building goes deep inside the Bullitt Center and its numerous innovations, one performance area Petal at a time.
Transformational Thought II: More Radical Ideas to Remake the Built Environment
Transformational Thought II: More Radical Ideas to Remake the Built Environment by Jason F. McLennan is his second book of dynamic essays critically challenging prevalent contemporary thinking and conventional design modalities related to the built and natural environments.
Rather than a diatribe on these problematic approaches, McLennan draws upon his architectural acumen and his eclectic knowledge of sustainability, social justice issues and cultural awareness to provide intelligent, solution-based insights for the rethinking of how we live, work, and thrive in a living future.
McLennan addresses a wide variety of issues that call for both individual and far-reaching systemic change. Each insight points the reader toward sustainable solutions, challenges the status quo, balances practicality with philosophy, and prepares us for a healthy and prosperous future. McLennan advocates for rapid social change while calling for people to engage in productive initiatives beyond current models and to cooperate, take chances, and experiment outside current bureaucratic and corporate imaginations.
Transformational Thought II, a follow-up collection of thought-provoking essays to his original and acclaimed Transformational Thought, provides compelling rationales for change and timely insights into the most highly transformative era humanity has yet to encounter.
Architectural practice is prone to lose talent to other career paths due to many factors that challenge retention; long hours, low pay, lack of transparency for promotion and work that is misaligned with career goals. Beyond sustainability of the built environment, equitable practice shapes a new value proposition. It supports the retention of human resources, as well as the creation of socially just and ecologically sound environments. The results of the 2014 Equity in Architecture Survey coupled with an interactive discussion will encourage the development of best practices for increasing diversity, expanding career opportunities with socially and environmentally conscious design.
Want to access a copy of available* presentation PDF's? Click here to download.
*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
This is a two-part session, for which we encourage Living Future attendees to attend both parts in order to gain the most benefit.
Not attending the conference but want to take advantage of one of the limited (free) RSVPs to this two-part session? RSVP HERE.
Track: Equity + Fairness
An inclusive and robust community starts with cultural competency through a diverse collection of people and habitats which operate in tandem with the natural world and without friction between one another. How do we create places where everyone belongs and places that belong to everyone? It is critical to incorporate a broad and diverse range of perspectives to create communities that are equitable and inclusive for all. The defining challenge of our time is to overcome divisiveness, to be united by our humanity; to stand as one in order to support a brighter future for us all.
This session will break down many of the barriers to social equity and offer solutions to creating vibrant and inclusive communities. In part 1 of the session, you will hear from social justice leaders within diverse communities about issues relating to affordable housing, access to nutritious food, public safety, community based heath care models, equitable transportation systems, and more in mini TEDx style presentations.
In Part 2 of this two-part session, attendees will examine and explore the lifecycle of a project and incorporate the concepts, ideas and solutions heard in Part 1. Attendees will leave with a strong grasp of how to make equity considerations in every phase of a project and how to foster inclusiveness in the design process. Each attendee will receive a pre-designed manual to capture the best practices and lessons learned during the session.
Want to access a copy of available* presentation PDF's? Click here to download.
*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
This is a two-part session, for which we encourage Living Future attendees to attend both parts in order to gain the most benefit.
Not attending the conference but want to take advantage of one of the limited (free) RSVPs to this two-part session? RSVP HERE.
Track: Equity + Fairness
An inclusive and robust community starts with cultural competency through a diverse collection of people and habitats which operate in tandem with the natural world and without friction between one another. How do we create places where everyone belongs and places that belong to everyone? It is critical to incorporate a broad and diverse range of perspectives to create communities that are equitable and inclusive for all. The defining challenge of our time is to overcome divisiveness, to be united by our humanity; to stand as one in order to support a brighter future for us all.
This session will examine and explore the lifecycle of a project and incorporate the concepts, ideas and solutions heard in Part 1. Attendees will leave with a strong grasp of how to make equity considerations in every phase of a project and how to foster inclusiveness in the design process. Each attendee will receive a pre-designed manual to capture the best practices and lessons learned during the session.
In Part 1 of this two-part session, we will break down many of the barriers to social equity and offer solutions to creating vibrant and inclusive communities. In part 1 of the session, you will hear from social justice leaders within diverse communities about issues relating to affordable housing, access to nutritious food, public safety, community based heath care models, equitable transportation systems, and more in mini TEDx style presentations.
Want to access a copy of available* presentation PDF's? Click here to download.
*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
Urban agriculture (UA) can help feed the world’s growing urban population using high‐density food production (HDFP) systems such as vertical farms and plant factories, which use electric lighting, and complex HVAC systems for environmental control. HDFP facilities use less arable land and water to produce food rich in nutrients and flavor, consistently and year round, regardless of location. Additional benefits of high‐density UA include food security, decreased energy use for transportation and storage, agricultural education, and jobs training. Challenges include: current vendor‐driven design approaches; building codes; capital costs; and the need for new integrated design approaches to maximize resource efficiency.
Want to access a copy of available* presentation PDF's? Click here to download.
*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
Track: Water, Health + Vitality
The Living with Water competition, set forth by the City of Boston, acknowledged that for the first time in human history, external environmental conditions will change significantly over the course of a building’s lifespan. The goal in designing for these conditions was to encompass five broad design principles: design for resilience, create double-duty solutions, strengthen community resilience, incentivize and institutionalize preparedness, and phase plans over time. This session will examine how this can be done at numerous scales, including the building, district, and infrastructure level.
Want to access a copy of available* presentation PDF's? Click here to download.
*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
The Georgia Institute of Technology just concluded a remarkable ‘Ideas Competition’ exploring how to make Living Building Challenge certified buildings affordable and replicable in the hot, humid South. Given an entire precinct of campus as a potential site, three selected teams were challenged to produce specific design proposals testing how a building providing labs, classrooms, and offices could be integrated into a restored landscape on a modest budget. Georgia Tech’s staff, faculty, and students observed throughout, with the School of Architecture’s design studios paralleling the competition. What’s been learned will inform the ongoing design of the Living Building at Georgia Tech.
Want to access a copy of available* presentation PDF's? Click here to download.
*Not all presentations were approved for distribution.
REGISTER HERE: http://sirewallusa.com/courses/
Although the Living Future 2016 tour of Heron Hall has sold out, there is still a chance to check out this unique site. Our partner Sirewall is hosting two rammed earth workshops following the Living Future unConference that are complimentary to this tour. Sign up if you want a deeper understanding of the rammed earth systems being used in the house and how they can be used on other projects. This is a unique opportunity to hear the founder of the Living Building Challenge discuss his philosophy in action.
Structural Insulated Rammed Earth Construction Workshop
Sat, May 14th - Sun, May 15th: 2 Day Practicum ($500)
-OR-
Mon, May 16th - Fri, May 20th: 5 Day Practicum ($1,000)
Over the course of our workshops, participants will gain an understanding of Rammed Earth Construction and the many benefits of this versatile building method: