Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Schools, LEED BD+C: Retail, LEED BD+C: Healthcare, LEED BD+C: Data Centers, LEED BD+C: Hospitality, LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors, LEED ID+C: Retail

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - Schools 2007, v2 - LEED 2.2

Inquiry

We are requesting a ruling on the application of NCv2.2 to a partial building renovation and addition project. We currently have two projects that require clarification. The first is an 11,542 sf urban office building. Project scope includes renovation of the 5,771 sf second floor and a new rooftop addition of 576 sf, for a total of 6347 sf. We intend to use this area consistently across all credit calculations. The rooftop addition will house meeting space available for city and community groups to showcase sustainable building techniques. Major components of the project include installation of a geothermal heating system throughout the building, a new green roof on 69% of the site, envelope improvements including skylights for daylighting, energy efficient lighting, and photovoltaic electricity generation. The second project is a private school of 130,687 sf. It includes renovation of 17,000 sf and an 11,000 sf addition, total project area is 28,000 sf. Strategies include replacing the current boiler system with a geothermal system, enhanced natural ventilation, photovoltaic panels and a possible wind turbine for alternative energy. A living machine will provide graywater reuse for greenhouse plants. A green roof for the addition and renovation areas, rainwater capture, and bioswales will help to improve stormwater management. For both projects, the owners intend to bring the remainder of the buildings up to LEED standards in the future, as funds become available. We feel that the Administrative CIR dated 6.1.04 relates to our question, and clarifies that LEED-NC is applicable to a partial building renovation. Their emphasis appears to be on the project scope rather than the building. We also feel that the Administrative CIR dated 2.24.05 is related, as are numerous Site Selection CIRs which reinforce the definition of project scope. These include CIRs dated 5.16.03, 2.6.03, and 8.2.01. In summary, we feel that LEED-NC is the best product for this project type for the following reasons: - LEED-NC acknowledges the extensive site, building envelope, and building systems emphasis of the projects, while LEED-CI does not. - Previous rulings indicate that LEED-NC has been used on numerous occasions for this project type, suggesting that applications should be based on the project scope, rather than the building. - The projects can achieve a higher rating under LEED-NC than LEED-CI. Since LEED for Interiors doesn\'t fit the projects, our alternative would be applying LEED-NC to just the additions. This would substantially reduce the overall LEED certifiable area, thereby reducing the environmental benefits by a considerable extent.