In order to create formal recommendations, we have to first conduct case studies of living buildings around the world and assess their equity petal frameworks using a set of parameters that our subteam created. The parameters include:
- Implementation of a program related to equity
- Continuation of equity past construction phase
- Planning, present, and future plan framework comparison
Using these case studies, we presented our initial recommendations and critiques regarding their fulfillment of the equity petal. Below you can find all the case studies summarized according to the parameters aforementioned.
zHome
Issaquah, Washington. Built in 2011.
zHome is part of a mixed-income housing development that aims to increase access to affordable housing in otherwise market-rate areas. The zHome units are the first net-zero energy townhomes that return the unused self-generated energy to the energy grid to power surrounding structures.
Marwen Building
Chicago, Illinois. Built in 1987.
Marwen Building is a community-oriented school that provides free visual arts classes to students that attend under-resourced schools lacking arts curriculums. Accessibility is another focus of the building, as various elements inside are color-coded for ease of recognition and there are waiting rooms especially designed for students. The building cultivates community relations by showcasing student artwork in surrounding communities and hosting regular outreach events.
Faubion School
Portland Oregon. Built in 2017.
The Faubion School is located in the Concordia neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, where 80% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch and 20% of students are homeless. Concordia University students mentor younger students and teach classes at the school in order to create a cohesive community across generations. The school itself was designed to share spaces between multiple organizations and businesses, which was inspired by the input of community members and local businesses during the design phase.
Te Kura Whare
Tāneatua, New Zealand. Built in 2014
Te Kura Whare is a Living Building that is a community center located at the entrance of the township of Taneatua, and was erected to symbolize a new era of peace and understanding between the indigenous people of Tūhoe and the Crown. This community center serves to show how intentional community design can bridge gaps between groups close in geography yet distinct in lifestyles and cultures.
Sonoma Academy
Santa Rosa, California. Built in 2001.
The Sonoma Academy Janet Durgin Guild & Commons focused heavily on creating longevity through flexible spaces that serve many functions in order for the building to remain relevant in future years. The building promotes accessibility with an open plan including sliding doors, windows, and walls that can be opened. Large work tables provide space for students to collaborate and build community.
The Keller Center at the University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois. Built in 1988
The Keller Center serves as the main building for the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. The Keller Center also contains public gathering spaces with public art displays that integrate culture and leisure into students’ academic lives. The Harris Family Foundation King Harris Forum is a large atrium designed with the intent of welcoming members of surrounding communities to campus.
Temple Tiny House
Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. Built in 2017
The Temple Tiny House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a student-designed and constructed building on the campus of Temple University. The building itself is small in order to maximize the amount of produce grown on the rest of the lot, which positively impacts the climate surrounding Temple University in addition to providing food for community members.
PCC Community Markets
Bellevue, Washington. Built in 2020.
Located in the middle of an industrial zone, the PCC Community Market provides mainly organic and non-GMO agricultural products to community members, many of whom are also stakeholders since the market is a co-op. The PCC Community Market partners with specific farms to preserve local farmland and support local and sustainable agriculture. The location of the building also supports transportation equity, as it is located in the center of the city in a busy commercial center.
Kendeda Building
Atlanta Georgia. Built in 2020.
The Kendeda Building is a Living Building created to serve as a sustainable academic center for the institution while also welcoming members of the community. From numerous bike racks surrounding the building to the addition of a new bus stop outside of Kendeda on a route connecting Atlanta’s public transit system to the Georgia Tech bus system, sustainable and equitable transportation access is a main focus of this building. A local nonprofit called Georgia Works was enlisted to partner during the construction of the Kendeda Building, as the organization helps men experiencing homelessness secure jobs in construction.
