The June Key Delta House: Living Building from the Grassroots - January 29, 2010

In the June Key Delta House project, a sisterhood of primarily African/American women made the decision to embrace sustainability at its highest level. Their perseverance has begun the transformation of a blighted gas station/convenience store into a place for community education and outreach programs.   The June Key Delta House project will serve as a demonstration that Living Buildings can grow from the grassroots.  The project was initiated concurrent with the Living Building Standard 1.0 and is currently tracking each Petal.  Learn how the Owner and Architect worked in close collaboration to overcome barriers and seize opportunities.   Hear how first impressions changed against the realities of design, regulatory agencies.

Features of the building are the reuse of the service station structure, cargo containers, and large sheets of insulating glass diverted from landfill.  That the site is a brown field presented difficulties with the regulatory but created opportunities to enrich the project.  Water will be re-used and disposed of on-site within local regulations.  High efficiency heating and lighting will be balanced against a solar array to minimize cost and achieve net-zero energy.  Building material sourcing plays a major part in the design as Living Building and budget requirements inspire innovation.