Construction Materials – A Social Justice Issue Having knowledge and transparency in respect of the materials we incorporate into our buildings remains a significant global social justice issue, as much as it is one of health and wellbeing. As ILFI Declare label asks, “where does a product come from, how is it used and what […]
A new Arup publication, (The Urban Bio-Loop) aims to demonstrate that a different paradigm for materials in construction is possible, through the adoption of organic waste re-imagined as construction materials. “Adopting the principles of Circular Economy provides the rationale for a shift from a linear (take, make, dump) disposal model – towards a circular value […]
Alison Nicholls, Associate Director, Constructing Excellence, put together the following, excellent summary of the recent Heathy Buildings and Wellness event held on the 31st January 2017. The event was hosted Aecom at their Aldgate Tower offices, designed to meet the very latest standards in healthy buildings and wellness. The business case behind healthy buildings and investing in standards […]
Aside from building materials that present obvious and accepted hazards to health (asbestos, leadpaint etc) it is PVC that generates the most discussion when exploring the Materials RedList imperative in Living Building Challenge training or workshop sessions. To design and construction buildings that are PVC free seems impossible to many, but LBC projects are doing just that […]
When we know what our buildings are made of, we can make informed choices by selecting materials that are healthier for occupants and have a lesser impact on our environment* This blog regularly covers the intersection between sustainable, healthy products (for example the Living Building Challenge Red List) and BIM. Indeed the selection of materials […]
One of the more interesting and potentially industry game changing announcements coming out from the ILFI 2015 conference in Seattle last week was the launch of The Living Product Challenge (LPC). Initially introduced at the LF 2014 conference with more detail released this year along with more on the concept of the “Ecological Handprint” (not […]
Products that are Safe for All Species Through Time: The materials we use within construction, the products we use within our buildings, are as vital as the food we eat, the water we drink and the air that we breathe if we are to maintain and improve the health of those who live work and […]
The Lithuanian Green Build Council conference in Vilnius, attracting over 100 from the world built environment Real Estate, Design, Contruction, Product Manufacturers, Facilities Managers and Investors, asked the question ‘Sustainability what is it’? It was a privilege to kick-off presentations, following an opening address from the Republic of Lithuania’s Ministry of Environment, sharing insights from […]
Living Buildings in Europe, the autumn workshop series. The International Living Future Institute works every day to realise the climate actions defined by the Paris Accords, leading the direction toward products, buildings and communities that are socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. With this vision as our guide, we can enact truly transformational change. […]
It was a real pleasure to present a sustainability keynote to the 100 plus service experts and engineers attending the Specifi Services event in London on the 29th November. The keynote focused on the impact that the built environment sector has on climate change and how we can all become part of climate change solutions. […]
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