THE BIRCH CASE STUDY HOUSE was developed using the Living Building Challenge as a guide. The primary goal of this project was to implement numerous sustainable strategies, highlighting the successes and failures when designing, permitting and constructing Living Buildings. Tt is the first within the Bellingham city limits to choose not to hook up city water and sewer. Instead, the project achieves net-zero water usage through the use of onsite rainwater catchment, composting toilets and gray water reuse. Heating that is used to condition the house was treated as a valuable commodity. Heat recovery, both the DHW and air used for ventilation is mined for usable heat which is recycled back into the house. The house also includes FSC-certified countertops, no-VOC paints and sealers, metal siding and insulation with high recycled content and an overall reduction in finish materials. The goal was to create a simple form using familiar materials.