'World's greenest buildings' get seal of approval

By Lauren Said-Moorhouse, for CNN

Updated 1645 GMT (0045 HKT) June 28, 2012

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Certified: Living -- A state-of-the-art water-reclamation facility and environmental education center in New York, the OCSL is the first green building in the United States to receive both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certification.

Photos: Living Building Challenge

Omega Center for Sustainable Living – Certified: Living -- A state-of-the-art water-reclamation facility and environmental education center in New York, the OCSL is the first green building in the United States to receive both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certification.

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One of the criteria for the LBC is that the OCSL operates with net zero energy -- all energy necessary to operate the building must be generated on site. Skip Backus, CEO of the Omega Institute, says: "I think the certifications encourage creative thinking that fuels new technology and perspectives. We are all learning how to build in a way that is truly sustainable."

Photos: Living Building Challenge

Net Zero Energy – One of the criteria for the LBC is that the OCSL operates with net zero energy -- all energy necessary to operate the building must be generated on site. Skip Backus, CEO of the Omega Institute, says: "I think the certifications encourage creative thinking that fuels new technology and perspectives. We are all learning how to build in a way that is truly sustainable."

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Certified: Living -- Hawaii Preparatory Academy Energy Lab is a high school science building dedicated to the study of alternative energy. The building is fully certified by the Living Building Challenge and runs as a zero net energy, completely sustainable building.

Photos: Living Building Challenge

Hawaii Preparatory Academy Energy Lab – Certified: Living -- Hawaii Preparatory Academy Energy Lab is a high school science building dedicated to the study of alternative energy. The building is fully certified by the Living Building Challenge and runs as a zero net energy, completely sustainable building.

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Some of the green credentials of the Energy Lab include the use of salvaged or recycled materials in its construction, an insulated roof made of soy with solar panels on the outside, steel piping instead of PVC piping, a freshwater catchment system tank and a cooling system tank.

Photos: Living Building Challenge

Inside a sustainable school building – Some of the green credentials of the Energy Lab include the use of salvaged or recycled materials in its construction, an insulated roof made of soy with solar panels on the outside, steel piping instead of PVC piping, a freshwater catchment system tank and a cooling system tank.

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Certified: Living -- Located at Tyson Research Center, an environmental field station for Washington University in St. Louis, the Learning Center fosters indoor/outdoor education with a large multi-use classroom that opens directly out to a white oak deck. All materials used in construction were sourced locally.

Photos: Living Building Challenge

Tyson Living Learning Center, St Louis – Certified: Living -- Located at Tyson Research Center, an environmental field station for Washington University in St. Louis, the Learning Center fosters indoor/outdoor education with a large multi-use classroom that opens directly out to a white oak deck. All materials used in construction were sourced locally.

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Net zero energy is created by photovoltaic panels mounted on the roof and two horizontal trackers in the front of the building. A rainwater harvesting system provides potable water and graywater is treated in an infiltration garden. Within the building, composting toilets eliminate waste.

Photos: Living Building Challenge

Solar panels on-site – Net zero energy is created by photovoltaic panels mounted on the roof and two horizontal trackers in the front of the building. A rainwater harvesting system provides potable water and graywater is treated in an infiltration garden. Within the building, composting toilets eliminate waste.

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Partially-certified by the LBC -- This sustainable home in Victoria, Canada, uses earthen architecture made of cob (clay, sand and straw).

Photos: Living Building Challenge

Eco-sense, Victoria, Canada – Partially-certified by the LBC -- This sustainable home in Victoria, Canada, uses earthen architecture made of cob (clay, sand and straw).

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LBC founder Jason F. McLennan highlights the VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, Canada, as a project currently under certification that illustrates the philiosophy of the challenge. The building is inspired by the shape of an orchid. Water is captured and treated on site and energy needs are looked after by themal and solar power.

Photos: Living Building Challenge

VanDusen Botanical Gardens – LBC founder Jason F. McLennan highlights the VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, Canada, as a project currently under certification that illustrates the philiosophy of the challenge. The building is inspired by the shape of an orchid. Water is captured and treated on site and energy needs are looked after by themal and solar power.

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