Rating System

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

Rating System Version

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

Inquiry

We are developing a design for a medical office building for a community health clinic. We are pursuing a LEED SILVER certification under the LEED NC 2.2 guidelines. The project is approximately 60,000 SF on two floors. The clinic is on one floor while the other floor will provide space for supporting functions such as a pharmacy, doctor\'s offices and other medically related operations. For the clinic, there are a host of exam rooms, offices and other treatment areas requiring small private rooms. The occupation of the perimeter of the plan for small offices and exam rooms on both floors limits access to both daylight and view. The Green Guide for Health Care (GGHC) acknowledges this fact and has created an alternate calculation for achieving daylight optimization. They have also modified the consideration of view to provide a "Connection to the Natural World" from 90% of "areas of respite". This CIR requests authorization from USGBC to utilize the EQ Credit EQ 8.1 from the "Green Guide for Health Care" in lieu of EQ Credit EQ 8.1 from LEED NC 2.2 for daylight. We propose meeting GGHC EQ Credit EQ 8.1a for 1 point, and meeting GGHC EQ Credit 8.1b for an Exemplary Performance credit. (GGHC Credit EQ 8.1 description and "Suggested Documentation" can be submitted upon request) Furthermore, we request authorization to use the GGHC EQ Credit EQ 8.2, "Connection to the Natural World" in lieu of LEED NC EQ Credit EQ 8.2, "Views for 90% of Spaces". (GGHC Credit EQ 8.2 description and "Suggested Documentation" can be submitted upon request) By using the GGHC EQ 8.1 and 8.2 we feel that this project meets the intent of this LEED credit.