The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) administers the Living Building Challenge, recognized as the most stringent green building program in the World today. The ILFI carefully and intentionally chose the dandelion as their icon because it stands for many of the same things the ILFI stands for... truly restorative structures and communities, generating global discussion about the need for transformative change in our built environment and flipping conventional wisdom on its head.
Seeds of Change:
Most plant species are only able to spread their influence locally, as far as the fruit falls from the tree as they say. Others require the assistance of pollinators to reproduce. The dandelion on the other hand successfully develops a collective team of seeds, functionally designed to harness the natural energy of the wind to traject itself beyond its regional limits, spreading its influence wherever it may land. The seed of a dandelion may land on the side of a cliff or in some other un-opportunisitic place where other species have not yet taken root.
Similarly, Haleola'ili'ainapono hopes to blaze the trails necessary to develop a road map for success so other projects may use it to accomplish similar goals. Through its influence, this project or "seed of change" shall promote an outbreak of similar projects within the local region that will in turn spread their influence externally.
The Project's Mission:
To RAISE THE BAR for that which we identify with as a "green" building.
This registered Living Building Challenge demonstration case study seeks to build the 1st residence in the State of Hawaii to be Certified-Living by the International Living Future Institute (Certification Pending). The project is entering its 12-month performance period to prove net-zero performance in energy, water and waste so it may earn ILFI Certification. Living Buildings possess proven performance, separating them from the pack.
75% of the project was also built with building materials extracted exclusively from Hawaii’s reclaimed regional construction waste streams, short-circuiting the State's waste management problems while developing the high-performance home of the future.
The building is designed to operate net-zero at a minimum on an annual basis. 100% of the building's energy and water needs are supplied by on-site renewable resources. 100% of building's storm water and wastewater are recycled on-site. Batteries store enough energy to preserve food for building occupants for at least 1 week, enhancing resilience to natural disasters resulting from climate change.
Biophilic design elements create spaces and architecture that create both visual and non-visual connections with nature, including non-rhythmic sensory stimuli, and thermal airflow variability provided by natural ventilation and passive cooling strategies. Representations of water and dynamic and diffused natural light provide an overall connection with the building users and its natural systems. Biomorphic forms and patterns create spaces of prospect, refuge, mystery and risk, amounting to an architectural experience comparable to that of an explorative nature hike.
What We've Achieved:
1st Living Building Challenge (LBC) Residence (Certification Pending) to be built in the State of Hawaii.
1st LBC project in the World to be built from regional waste stream materials accounting for 75% or more of the building assembly.
1st Pilot Project in the State of Hawaii to recycle 100% of its wastewater on-site where a municipal sewer connection is available.
Bowers+Kubota/Aaron Ackerman win 2018 Island Innovator of the Year Award by the Hawaii Venture Capital Association (HVCA)
1st Place 2017 National Award Winner under the Environmental Category from the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI-USA)
1st Place 2017 National Grand Prix Award Winner from the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI-USA)
2018 International World Prix d’Excellence Silver Award Winner under the Sustainable Development Category
Someone once told me:
“To reach for your dreams, first you must roll-up your sleeves. ”
“Brilliance is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration!”
“When you share things, only 1 person has it at a time. When you share ideas, both people walk away with it”
“To malama aina, is to aloha aina. ”
“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in a dark room with a mosquito. ”
“Weed your own garden first. ”
“Makahanaka’ike,.. knowledge comes from doing. ”
“Sustainability is like Chinese food. Use everything. Eat the feet!”
“Chop the wood in front of you.
There is no time like the present.”
“Smooth seas don’t make a good Sailor. Embrace the Challenge. ”