The Georgia Tech Strategic Energy Institute seeks a student interested in research related to the Living Building at Georgia Tech, which will open in 2019. This project is related to the Equity Petal criteria of the Living Building Challenge, an inclusive sustainable design standard to which the project will aspire. The intent of the Equity Petal is “to transform developments to foster a true, inclusive sense of community that is just and equitable regardless of an individual’s background, age, class, race, gender or sexual orientation.” The project will focus on accessibility, equity, sustainability, community engagement and urban planning considerations for the new Living Building.

Project proposals should focus on physical or non-physical perceived barriers and opportunities regarding external community access to the Living Building and can include surveys of surrounding communities to Georgia Tech, literature reviews of existing feasibility studies on campus, or mapping pathways into campus, among other possibilities. Please contact Marcela Moreno at marcela.moreno@energy.gatech.edu with a resume and a concise cover letter stating your area of interest and thoughts on why equity is an important component in sustainability. Finalists will be contacted by September 13th, 2017 to meet for an informal interview on September 14th.

We plan on students to apply for the President’s Undergraduate Research Award for a stipend of $1,500 for the spring semester.

More information on the President’s Undergraduate Research Award: http://www.undergradresearch.gatech.edu/content/presidents-undergraduate-research-awards

More information on Living Building Challenge certification: https://living-future.org/lbc/

More information on the Living Building at Georgia Tech: https://livingbuilding.gatech.edu