Rating System

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

Rating System Version

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

Inquiry

The glazing factor calculation is based in part on the window area of the space. In our project, the window head height is right at the ceiling, and the ceiling steps down about half way back into the space. Is it acceptable to use the actual window area in the calculation, or should the area be adjusted based on an "effective" window height? Can this effective height be the average ceiling height for the space? In other words, if the window head height is 10\' and the average ceiling height is 9\'-6", should 9\'-6" be used as the window height when calculating the window area? In summary, the area is roughly 94\'-0" wide by 10\'-4" with a ceiling height of 11\'-6" before it drops down to a 9\'-6" ceiling that is 19\'-6" deep.