A new guidance document released by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) aims to streamline certification efforts for projects pursuing both Green Star and Living Building Challenge ratings.
The latest initiative follows a commitment by the two organisations in 2016 to work collaboratively to promote the design, construction and operations of positive and restorative buildings in Australia.
GBCA’s Head of Market Transformation, Jorge Chapa explains that leaders in Australia’s property and construction industry are increasingly looking to pursue more than one rating to demonstrate transparency, accountability and sustainability. The collaboration between the two organisations has helped identify the overlaps between the two rating systems so that project teams can avoid duplication of effort. Companies can, therefore, achieve both Green Star and Living Building Challenge ratings in a faster and cheaper way.
Amanda Sturgeon, CEO of ILFI observes that the partnership will allow project teams pursuing dual ratings, easier access to essential information, and ultimately accelerate their move to regenerative design.
ILFI is represented in Australia by the Living Future Institute Australia (LFIA), whose Executive Director, Stephen Choi says there are some amazing projects and world-leading developments being progressed in Australia. These projects will now be able to reach new heights across a range of standards.
The document released by GBCA and ILFI provides guidance specific to new buildings rated under Green Star – Design & As Built v1.1 and Living Building Challenge 3.1. Similar guidance was released earlier this year in February by the GBCA and the International WELL Building Institute for dual ratings under Green Star and the WELL Building Standard.
