This Imperative is indicated as scope-dependent for Existing, Interior, and Landscape + Infrastructure Typologies. Notes have been added under each topic to clarify how scope-dependence affects applicability.
ADA, ABA, AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN
All project teams are required to document how the project has implemented the seven Principles of Universal Design, as defined by the United States Access Board. Compliance with current ADA and ABA Standards is also a requirement for all projects, regardless of location or Typology, noting that ADA and ABA incorporate some allowances for existing buildings. Accommodations for a variety of physical abilities beyond those requirements are encouraged, but not required.
Some building types, such as temporary structures associated with the process of construction, private residences, and historic structures, may be exempt from ADA and ABA requirements. In all cases though, project teams are still expected to incorporate the seven Principles of Universal Design, and to provide sufficient accommodations to meet the intent of the Imperative – to provide better access than the minimum required by code. In most circumstances, it is necessary to ensure that accessibility is still provided to the extent that ADA and ABA accessibility is feasible. It is the responsibility of project teams to review ADA and ABA guidelines to ensure compliance and document any exemptions.
Table 17-1 The Seven Principles of Universal Design
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Table 17-2 Universal Design Compared to Accessible Design.
AUDIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
Any noise that is audible to the public must be appropriately addressed. Per the guidelines set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), noise is considered publicly audible if it is above 85 decibels (dBA).
This requirement is applicable to all Typologies.
BATHROOM ACCESS
Project teams are encouraged to include gender-neutral toilet facilities throughout the project. Bathrooms are allowed to be separated by gender, although in nonresidential projects, teams are encouraged to include at least one unisex bathroom per floor to accommodate people with nonbinary gender identity and mixed gender pairs (e.g., guardian/child, patient/caregiver, etc.). Where a project team or tenant doesn’t have control over bathroom access, such as might be the case for the Interior Typology, the project team is encouraged to advocate to the owner for gender-neutral facilities, if none are available.
EXISTING LANDSCAPE
Existing landscaping is exempt from the requirements of this Imperative, even when it impacts the solar access of adjacent properties. The Living Building Challenge (LBC) does not suggest or condone the removal of mature trees, especially native trees, to comply with any Imperative requirements.
New landscaping should meet Imperative requirements or provide beneficial shading (e.g., in a hot climate where shading may be more critical than regular solar access). Landscaping will be assessed visually during the certification audit on-site walkthrough.
This requirement is applicable to Landscape and Infrastructure projects and projects under the Existing Building Typology that include landscaping. It does not apply to the Interior Typology which is assumed not to involve exterior landscaping.
The Operations and Maintenance Manual required under Imperative 20, Education + Inspiration should include a description and explanation of pruning expectations, if applicable.
EXTERNALLY FOCUSED
Any spaces that are in the public realm (e.g., right of way improvements, park spaces) must be accessible to all members of the public. Private spaces that connect to the public realm should also accommodate public access. It is acceptable to have private external gathering spaces as long as there is enhancement of some amount of external space that is considered public and thereby benefits the community at large. Occasional public access to private outdoor gathering spaces is encouraged, but not required.
In Transects L3-L6, the requirement to provide for and enhance the public realm applies to all Typologies. Additional guidance for Interior Typology projects is provided in the Public Art clarification under I19 Beauty + Biophilia.
FRESH AIR + NOISE
Projects must be responsible for impacts on neighboring properties from noise, dust, and other air pollutants during both construction and operation of the project. For projects located in jurisdictions with local noise ordinances, compliance with those standards is sufficient. For projects located in jurisdictions without a local noise ordinance, projects should be aware of and work to mitigate any impacts from construction, including addressing any noise complaints promptly.
This requirement is applicable to all Typologies.
NATURAL WATERWAYS ACCESS
Public access throughways must allow access to natural waterways from land for pedestrians and bicyclists, and from the water via boat. Infrastructure, such as docks, to support any water-based transport is not required. The throughway easement must be at least three meters wide for all projects except single-family residences and small multifamily residences up to 4 units, which must have at least a one-and-one-half-meter-wide path for non-motorized access.
This requirement is applicable to all Typologies, when the project team or owner has control of the site, and there is a natural waterway that could be accessed via the site. However, there are exceptions for special conditions (see Exceptions section under this imperative). Requests for other exceptions should be submitted for pre-approval to the Request for Ruling.
NURSING ROOM ACCESS
Projects of all Typologies are encouraged to include appropriate nursing room facilities throughout the project. Helpful amenities to consider including are: a locking door, sink, changing table, comfortable seating, lighting control, and ample electrical outlets. It is recommended that if nursing rooms are provided, they are not co-located with toilet facilities.
SHADING
Projects must demonstrate that shading of adjacent buildings will not result in significant negative impacts to a majority of the occupants of those buildings. Project teams are encouraged to avoid shading neighboring projects’ facades or roofs. If eliminating shading entirely is not feasible, the project team must demonstrate that the shading impacts are either beneficial, or at least not significantly detrimental, to the neighboring property.
Shading should be modeled and/or measured, at minimum, on the winter solstice between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in order to review and consider impacts on facades, roofs, and exterior gathering spaces. Project teams are encouraged to look at both current and planned context in their review, and consider surrounding density, street and alley width, neighborhood layout, and the programming of adjacent buildings.
Properties owned by the same entity (e.g., a campus or portfolio of buildings) are allowed to shade each other at the discretion of the owner.
This requirement applies to any Existing Building Typology project that includes modifications to the exterior of the building or plantings that could reach threshold heights at maturity. It would also apply to any new elements of a Landscape and Infrastructure project that were substantial enough to affect access to sunlight. It would not be expected to apply to a project under the Interior Typology.
