LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE
Project Leader(s):
Jessica Ma (jessima@umich.edu)
Isaac Mulder (mulderis@umich.edu)
Project Location(s): Ann Arbor, MI
Current Focus: After completing the first phase of construction last semester, the team has shifted focus to installing and testing a water purification system in the home, as well as increasing outreach efforts to continue to educate community members and policymakers.
Mission: The Living Building Challenge Team’s mission is to provide retrofit designs for local buildings to help them become self-sustaining structures as characterized by the Living Building Challenge. The team is working with the Grocoff family to retrofit their historic net-zero energy house to a net-positive water house and provide a platform for community collaboration and education in the process. We also aim to create a positive, hands-on, and valuable experience for our members involved in the project.
Team History: The LBC team was founded in January 2013 and has been working since then to identify and develop engineering solutions to fit the needs of the Grocoff household while meeting the requirements of the Living Building Challenge. So far, we have focused primarily on researching and designing various components needed for a net-zero water system as well as navigating the regulations that govern our project. Along the way, we’ve gotten help and guidance from industry professionals, faculty at University of Michigan, and regulatory officials. During the Winter 2017 semester, the team began the implementation phase of the project and completed the installation of all of the outdoor components of the project, including the cisterns, a filter to eliminate large debris, and the outdoor plumbing.
Partner Organization: Matt Grocoff, homeowner
For updates on LBC, follow them on Twitter!
Jessica Ma (jessima@umich.edu)
Isaac Mulder (mulderis@umich.edu)
Project Location(s): Ann Arbor, MI
Current Focus: After completing the first phase of construction last semester, the team has shifted focus to installing and testing a water purification system in the home, as well as increasing outreach efforts to continue to educate community members and policymakers.
Mission: The Living Building Challenge Team’s mission is to provide retrofit designs for local buildings to help them become self-sustaining structures as characterized by the Living Building Challenge. The team is working with the Grocoff family to retrofit their historic net-zero energy house to a net-positive water house and provide a platform for community collaboration and education in the process. We also aim to create a positive, hands-on, and valuable experience for our members involved in the project.
Team History: The LBC team was founded in January 2013 and has been working since then to identify and develop engineering solutions to fit the needs of the Grocoff household while meeting the requirements of the Living Building Challenge. So far, we have focused primarily on researching and designing various components needed for a net-zero water system as well as navigating the regulations that govern our project. Along the way, we’ve gotten help and guidance from industry professionals, faculty at University of Michigan, and regulatory officials. During the Winter 2017 semester, the team began the implementation phase of the project and completed the installation of all of the outdoor components of the project, including the cisterns, a filter to eliminate large debris, and the outdoor plumbing.
Partner Organization: Matt Grocoff, homeowner
For updates on LBC, follow them on Twitter!