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

This project is a new City and County Courthouse in Denver. Courtrooms and jury deliberation rooms have unique space requirements that require the need for privacy and controlled lighting. It might be possible to provide daylighting in some of the courtrooms but the area of glazing and the depth of the space make it nearly impossible to meet daylighting requirements for LEED compliance. Additionally, if glazing is provided, it will be at a high level height for security purposes. This credit applies to both 8.1 and 8.2 though only submitted under 8.2. Also, courtrooms and jury deliberation rooms have a highly fluctuating schedule. Some courtrooms are not used for several days for example so whether they are considered regularly occupied or not is questionable. Also, holding cells are used to hold prisoners in for just a few hours of the day and are often located in interior zones with no daylighting or views for security purposes. Can these room types, specifically courtrooms, holding cells, and jury deliberation rooms, be excluded for views and for daylighting?