A Living Building harnesses a site’s existing heating, cooling and ventilation resources and optimizes operational efficiency, then accounts for the remaining energy load with clean, renewable forms.

The ideal is simple: a safe, decentralized power grid relying completely on renewable energy, powering incredibly efficient buildings. Technologies exist; the major limitation to this ideal currently is cost.

While the ideal is conceptually simple (a building produces as much energy as it consumes), actualization requires mastering and orchestrating myriad design and technical skills. The sessions in the Energy Petal represent the diverse knowledge base needed to attain zero energy buildings.

Sessions

E01: Context and integration   

E02: Building performance metrics: tools and performance prediction   Originally live, July 2008. Slated for re-recording in 2010

E03: Load reduction    Available now!

E04: Lighting and daylighting    Available now!

E05: Passive strategies    Available now!

E06: Active strategies    Available now!

E07: Generative strategies/alternative energy    Available 2010