Come ride the ferry with us to beautiful Bainbridge Island for the day, where we'll visit two incredible places: Grow Community and IslandWood.
We'll be met at the Bainbridge Ferry Terminal by Jonathan Davis of Grow Community, who will lead us on a walking tour through the beautiful town of Winslow to Grow Community. Grow Community is the first residential community built in North America to receive a "One Planet Community" endorsement from the U.K. non-profit BioRegional. As the largest solar community in the State of Washington, the net-zero, zero carbon, multi-generational award winning, Grow Community on Bainbridge Island has been put forth as potentially “the most Sustainable Neighborhood in the U.S.” When complete this 8-acre site will include 50 single family homes, 81 multi-family units, a community center and a small day care center. Jonathan will share background on "micro-hoods" (clusters of homes), the community gardens, integrated cycle/foot paths, and more!
Joined by David Goldberg of Mithun, next we'll head to IslandWood, designed by the Institute's Executive Director Amanda Sturgeon. Whether at their 255-acre outdoor learning center, or any of their off-site locations, IslandWood invites children and adults alike to discover a new way of seeing nature, themselves, and one another. In doing so, each person comes to understand their ability to change the world for the better. As an LEED gold certified facility, they are active participants in energy conservation, composting, recycling, and harnessing alternative energy sources. In fact, all of the facilities on IslandWood's campus feature numerous elements that help restore and maintain their site and remind visitors that even our simple, day-to-day tasks have an impact on the environment. IslandWood will prepare a healthy chef choice lunch followed by a docent-led exploration of the IslandWood main campus.
Lunch will be provided on this tour. Please note any dietary restrictions during registration. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Note: this tour is not suitable for individual with mobility issues.
PLEASE NOTE, THIS TOUR IS MEETING AT THE SHERATON HOTEL AND DEPARTING AS A GROUP. PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE OF THIS TOUR FOR CHECK-IN.
[REGISTER HERE] Questions about the tour? Contact us at LF15@living-future.org.
21 Acres Center for Local Food and Sustainable Living (www.21acres.org), one of the only LEED Platinum buildings coupled with a Certified Organic farm, hosts this tour to share the richness of the valley in both land and people, and give you a sense of successful partnerships as well as challenges facing both local food producers and consumers striving to transition to a community-based food economy.
The fertile Sammamish Valley near Woodinville is home to 21 Acres and numerous organic farms, plus over 90 wineries and tasting rooms. On the drive from Seattle and along the way, hear from local growers who bring chemical-free, seasonal foods to market and to the table economically, independent of global and industrial-scale production. First stop is the highly-acclaimed Herbfarm (www.theherbfarm.com) for a look at their gardens and restaurant, and a quick bite before heading up the valley to 21 Acres where you'll see what it takes to operate this deep-green facility and its permaculture-based Back 18 Farm.
In the building, explore advantages and challenges of integrating food plants into the built environment, including micro-gardens, self-watering planters, rooftop gardens, raised planters and other low-maintenance, water-wise installations. On the farmland, tour the fields and hear about their practices, educational opportunities and volunteers. For lunch, share a community table and be inspired by the 21 Acres kitchen team as they demonstrate how to prepare seasonal foods from farm to table. Local cheeses from the 21 Acres Farmers Market will be paired with a flight of Certified Salmon-Safe wine. At the end of the 21 Acres tour, you will have experienced a taste of what this community-focused non-profit has accomplished, how it creates a centering place for people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in and learn from each other, and where it is going to support vibrant sustainable living practices.
Lunch will be provided on this tour. Note any dietary needs during registration. Please wear closed-toe shoes for walking about the farms.
PLEASE NOTE, THIS TOUR IS MEETING AT THE SHERATON HOTEL AND DEPARTING AS A GROUP. PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE OF THIS TOUR FOR CHECK-IN.
Questions about the tour? Contact us at LF15@living-future.org.
zHome is a revolutionary, 10-unit townhome development that uses smart design and cutting edge technologies to radically reduce its environmental impacts. zHome will prove that homes that use zero net energy and 60% less water, emit net zero carbon emissions, have clean indoor air and use only low-toxicity materials are possible and scalable to mainstream home production.
Eastside Fire & Rescue 72 is a consolidated fire, rescue, and medical service provider for two fire districts and four cities spanning 190 square miles and serving 120,000 customers in eastern King County, WA. Station 72 is the most energy efficient fire station on the planet. Station 72 achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum status. Incorporated into the design of the fire station are the latest technologies to control utilities, recycle rainwater, manage temperature controls, balance natural and manufactured lighting, and minimize energy use. The construction methods utilized followed strict guidelines that minimized environmental impact. One of the most obvious incorporated energy initiatives is that of solar panels which virtually cover the entire roof area of the facility. The system is producing enough electricity that the facility is meeting its own needs, while providing excess generated power to the electrical grid. The station had a total project estimate cost in excess of $8 million. The final cost of the project was $6.6 million.
PLEASE NOTE, THIS TOUR IS MEETING AT THE SHERATON HOTEL AND DEPARTING AS A GROUP. PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE OF THIS TOUR FOR CHECK-IN.
[REGISTER HERE] Questions about the tour? Contact us at LF15@living-future.org.
Sail aboard the historic schooner Adventuress! Become a part of our crew by helping to raise the sails and learn more about this National Historic Landmark and efforts in place as the ship aims towards becoming the first ever ‘Living Ship’. Highlights include sailing the 133’ schooner, touring the ship and exploring different systems in place, and learning about how Adventuress is used as a teaching platform.
Lunch will be provided on this tour. Please note dietary needs during registration.
PLEASE NOTE, THIS TOUR IS MEETING AT THE SHERATON HOTEL AND DEPARTING AS A GROUP. PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE OF THIS TOUR FOR CHECK-IN.
[REGISTER HERE] Questions about the tour? Contact us at LF15@living-future.org.
The Bullitt Center was developed with a single goal in mind: to demonstrate the current state-of-the-art in sustainable design, in order to influence the development and operation of other buildings around the world. In short, the Bullitt Center loves visitors. As the largest urban office building designed to meet the Living Building Challenge, tours of the Bullitt Center offer a chance to see the various operational systems, including mechanical, rainwater, constructed wetland, composting and electrical. During the tour, visitors will cover the building from the basement to the soaring “irresistible stairway,” and see how one floor has been finished into a comfortable open office plan. Come see for yourself during this “behind the scenes” tour led by project team members.
Want to tour the Bullitt Center but not available in the morning? We are doing a second tour of the Bullitt in the afternoon (see here for more info).
PLEASE NOTE, THIS TOUR IS MEETING AT THE BULLIT CENTER (NOT THE SHERATON HOTEL). PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THIS TOUR FOR CHECK-IN.
[REGISTER HERE] Questions about the tour? Contact us at LF15@living-future.org.
The Bullitt Center was developed with a single goal in mind: to demonstrate the current state-of-the-art in sustainable design, in order to influence the development and operation of other buildings around the world. In short, the Bullitt Center loves visitors. As the largest urban office building designed to meet the Living Building Challenge, tours of the Bullitt Center offer a chance to see the various operational systems, including mechanical, rainwater, constructed wetland, composting and electrical. During the tour, visitors will cover the building from the basement to the soaring “irresistible stairway,” and see how one floor has been finished into a comfortable open office plan. Come see for yourself during this “behind the scenes” tour led by project team members.
Want to tour the Bullitt Center but not available in the afternoon? We are doing a second tour of the Bullitt in the morning (see here for more info).
PLEASE NOTE, THIS TOUR IS MEETING AT THE BULLIT CENTER (NOT THE SHERATON HOTEL). PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THIS TOUR FOR CHECK-IN.
[REGISTER HERE] Questions about the tour? Contact us at LF15@living-future.org.
Recently certified as the fourth commercial Living Building Challenge (LBC) and the first version 2.0 and urban LBC project in the world, the Bertschi School elementary science wing is offering a tour. You’ll hear from the project designers and school staff as they take you through the building to view the built examples of LBC Imperatives. You’ll see unique design responses like the river in the classroom that collects rain water and the green wall of tropical plants that treat the building’s grey water. PV panels, a composting toilet and an ethnobotanical garden are a few of the many other highlights we will explore.
PLEASE NOTE, THIS TOUR IS MEETING AT THE SHERATON HOTEL AND DEPARTING AS A GROUP. PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE OF THIS TOUR FOR CHECK-IN.
[REGISTER HERE] Questions about the tour? Contact us at LF15@living-future.org.
