Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED O+M: Existing Buildings, LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Schools

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2008, v2 - Schools 2007, v2 - LEED 2.2, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

Our project is a 330,000 sf high school, which contains both a gymnasium and an auditorium. As we consider which areas will have access to views, we have determined that both of these spaces would be negatively impacted by the inclusion of vision glazing between the heights of 2\'6" and 7\'6". The gymnasium will be used for many activities, including sports (like indoor soccer) where the wall surfaces are part of the field of play. Our team is concerned that the inclusion of windows will negatively impact the variety of sports that the space can be used for, and we are also concerned that there would be safety issues surrounding glare and the potential for glass breakage, should we install vision glazing in this space at the prescribed elevations. Accordingly, we propose that this space be excluded from the calculation for "Access to Views". The auditorium, in our opinion, is a "non-regularly occupied space", which will be used intermittently for programs were the audience focus on the stage is important, and where high-tech lighting strategies will be employed. Furthermore, our team is concerned that the inclusion of vision glazing in the auditorium space may hinder the overall effectiveness of the space. We propose that this space be classified as a "non-regularly occupied space"; however, if the USGBC does not agree with our proposal, we also would like to propose that it still be excluded from the calculation for "Access to Views" because vision glazing would hinder the effectiveness of the space. We would appreciate your confirmation of the appropriateness of our three proposed exclusions above.