DHA architects+engineers provides ILFI certification

With full-life cycle design as its ambition, DHA architects+engineers is always exploring new means and methods in this new and rapidly evolving field. ILFI is a relatively new player on the market and brings a refreshing philosophy. Henceforth our sustainable design experts also offer this method to make the built environment even more liveable.

Today, the design and construction world already has numerous methods to assess the sustainability of building projects: BREEAM, LEED, HQE, GRO, WELL, DGNB ... Some international, others oriented more to regional or national markets. And although their emphases may vary, they usually start from the same premise: buildings or projects have a negative impact on their environment, and this must be compensated for.

ILFI: a positive story

ILFI looks at the glass in a different way: how can a building or project contribute positively to its environment? Starting with this question, sustainable design transcends the purely technical or energy aspect.

ILFI, short for International Living Future Institute, defines seven performance domains or "petals" (flower petals, ILFI uses the flower as a symbol). Of course, this includes the usual sustainability aspects: water, energy, materials, well-being. In addition, the institute defines location, beauty and equity as parameters.

From this point of view, sustainability comprises not only an ecological component, but also a social and cultural one.

Care for people, nature and society

It is therefore telling that zero-carbon in ILFI's certification is only the first step on the ambition ladder, with a clearly defined certification. The highest step features Living Building Challenge. Up there, the ambition is no longer to treat e.g. grey water for reuse or runoff, but to give that treated water back to nature to regenerate the environment.

"Challenge" was not chosen at random, by the way. ILFI offers the opportunity to put together a package of ambitions based on ability, with the understanding that a project will go through a growth path over the years. Ambitions or "petals" can therefore be added over the years.

Which addresses another important difference: ILFI assesses a project and building primarily through its years in-use, throughout its life cycle. Making, as with WELL, the certifications performance-based.

DHA architects+engineers is ILFI certifier

The positive and performance-based approach throughout the life cycle are important incentives for VK to diversify our sustainable design toolset. Additionally, the ILFI provides a new source of learning to design even better solutions valuing people and planet.

Are you interested in this new sustainability tool and would you like to know how your project or building can have a positive impact on its environment?