A residential project of the Yale Divinity School, the Yale Planetary Solutions Project, and the Living Building Challenge

Yale School of Divinity’s mission is based on training students to engage with communities—and providing a living space for students at the School is vital to that mission. Tied to the ethos of the School, YDS is designing a Living Village, affordable housing in a net-positive-energy and water building, expected to be completed in 2025. The Living Village will be an experiential learning and living environment, instilling a regenerative, sustainable lifestyle in students.

The Living Village serves as one of YDS’ major efforts to address climate change and other environmental issues. The project is committed to an ecologically sustainable structure, zero-carbon footprint, recycled and environmentally friendly construction materials, triple-net-zero design, holistic and connective architectural design, and an inspirational aesthetic.

Upon completion, the Living Village will be part of the urban landscape of New Haven and Connecticut. Planned to have courtyards without gates, the Living Village will welcome the local community for programming in the courtyard, where fruit and nut trees and areas of living laboratories will add to an environment based in sustenance.

Yale School of Divinity Dean Gregory Sperling is spearheading this community-based project, the largest living building housing complex on a university campus. Sterling is supported by Barbara Sabia, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Development, and Bruce McCann, Living Village Project Manager.