'World's greenest buildings' get seal of approval
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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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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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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