Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.1

Inquiry

It was stated in Credit Interpretation Ruling SSc51-120402 that "installing playing fields can count toward achievement of SS 5.2 for open space". Our project is a 5-storey Physical Education building with a 2 level parking structure that serves our building and the other buildings in the campus. The entire (100%) parking spaces are covered and the 2nd level roof is actually an open athletic field, where the baseball field and the soccer field is covered with artificial turf while the 1st level parking is half underground. The Athletic Field has area larger than our building footprint and since this project is a university campus (that is, no local zoning requirements), and the requirement of SSc5.2 is to designate an open space area adjacent to the building footprint (or development footprint under LEED 2.1), do we get a point for SSc5.2 - Development footprint? And then since we are using artificial turf in our landscape, do we qualify for points in water efficient landscaping? We also think that we may qualify for an innovation point for heat island credit exceedance since 100% of our parking space is covered or underground.