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

We are currently designing an Army Reserve and National Guard facility in Columbus Nebraska. The unique client for this project mandates a strict adherence to facility Full Time Equivalents. By these guidelines, this 46,000 square foot facility will employ 6 full time people. However on a drill weekend, occurring once per month, this number inflates to approximately 180. Our question pertains to the definition of "Regularly Occupied Spaces" in EQ Credit 8.1 Daylight and Views. The space in question is the assembly hall. The unique nature of the facility\'s manning requirements only allow the assembly hall to be used approximately once per month, less than 4% of a normal business year. In response to such a low interval of use, the project has been mechanically zoned to minimize the energy used in this space. Additionally, Army guidelines do not authorize cooling in an assembly hall. Introducing more glass to this particular space does not align with the credit\'s intent, and adversely impacts our energy model. In summary, we would like to remove the assembly hall from our list of regularly occupied spaces in an attempt to satisfy not only EQ Credit 8.1, but to also improve long-term energy performance.