Rating System

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

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.2, v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - Schools 2007, v3 - LEED 2009, v3 - LEED 2009, v3 - LEED 2009, v3 - LEED 2008, v3 - LEED 2009

Inquiry

Design for Increased Physical Activity Credit Intent: The obesity epidemic is a major health crisis facing the American public, leading to the increased incidence of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease among other ailments. Increased physical activity, as little as two minutes of stair climbing each day, could significantly reduce the rate of obesity in the country. Extensive studies by the Center for Disease Control and other independent researchers* have shown that there are four major elements of building design which encourage greater physical activity: A) Stairs - Signage prompts encouraging the use of the stairs. - Improved stairwell aesthetics through use of color, artwork, music, etc. - Favored central locations for stairwells. B) Access to exercise facilities - Weekly exercise classes - On-site walking trails - Gym or exercise room C) Improved streetscapes - Sidewalks/traffic safety - Comfort lighting - Aesthetic landscaping D) Community location - Urban density - Mixed use - Connectivity of pathways to destinations *Full text of these reports is available via email as files cannot be posted with CIRs. Credit Requirements As LEED already accounts for the items listed in C & D, we propose that the ID credit be earned through meeting 4 of the 6 items listed in A & B. Submittal A LEED-Online letter template including the project compliance narrative and floor plans highlighting the design elements included. Project Approach The Riverside Health Center is a partial renovation and addition project that will provide the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with a contemporary facility to serve their Health Academy, Nutrition, Primary Care Clinic, STD Clinic, Family Daycare, and School Health programs. The building design will include a centrally located stair, signage prompts containing info on the benefits of taking the stairs. The stairwell itself has been enlarged to encourage greater use, will feature added ventilation, operable windows, and is to be included as a site for expressing the project\'s 1% for the arts. The 1% for arts is a city funded program that matches 1% of a project\'s construction budget towards a public art project. In addition to fulfilling all three stairwell improvements, the building features an exercise room, will offer weekly yoga classes, and includes an on-site community garden with landscaped pathways to encourage outdoor exercise.