To satisfy the Living Building Challenge, The Kendeda Building collects rainwater for one hundred percent of its drinking, washing, showering, lab uses, and the composting toilet that only use a teaspoon of water per "foam flush."
Much like the classrooms, the four class labs are designed to foster active learning by using The Kendeda Building as a teaching tool. This conversation began prior to the building's completion. The class labs that were slated to move into the building had never been required to consider energy and water consumption.
The intent of the Beauty Petal is to recognize the need for beauty as a precursor to caring enough to preserve, conserve, and serve the greater good. Therefore, the Beauty Petal requires inspiration and education as an Imperative.
Condensate from the dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) is collected and used in irrigating the green roof and site. Any excess condensate is diverted to the rainwater management system and returned back to the soil to recharge the groundwater.
While the Living Building Challenge requirement to be net positive waste only applies to the construction process, this Imperative does require that The Kendeda Building provide dedicated infrastructure for the collection of recyclables and compostable food scraps. Georgia Teach already had a robust materials management plan for campus and The Kendeda Building is providing us with a platform to take materials management to the next level.
Water-based radiant heating and cooling systems are typically comprised of tubes cast within concrete through which warm or cool water is circulated. The Kendeda Building relies on this system throughout the majority of the building.