Ecological Flow in “Living Buildings:” An interview with Clark Brockman

Clark Brockman of SERA Architects in Portland, Oregon is one of the leaders in urban design and planning who is working to raise the bar by crafting buildings that meet the Living Building Challenge.  The Challenge asks project teams to design and construct to buildings that function “as elegantly and efficiently as a flower” by creating buildings that are informed by their bioregion’s characteristics, that generate all of their own energy with renewable resources, that capture and treats all of its own water, and operates efficiently and for maximum beauty.  All of the LBC’s 16 imperatives are required, and must demonstrate 12 months of successful operation in order to achieve recognition.  

 

When it comes to water, the LBC has two specific requirements. First, they must achieve “water neutrality” - all water used by building occupants use must come from captured precipitation or closed loop water systems.  Second, they must achieve “ecological flow” - all storm water and building water discharge must be managed onsite or released onto adjacent sites for management through natural flow, groundwater recharge, agricultural use or adjacent building needs.

 

The solutions to these requirements are not straightforward.  They’ve taken careful study and have resulted in extensive studies of regional policy and regulatory statutes.  And they have challenged design teams to look beyond just their own buildings to the systems they sit within.  

 

Stepping Stones editor Geoff Stack recently spoke with Clark Brockman to a better sense the benefits and hurdles that the Living Building Challenge poses to design teams and how they are navigating them.  

 

Listen to the recording of their 20-minute conversation -  and download information about the Living Building Challenge.