The title of the pilot credit implies occupant activeness in general, but the credit focuses significantly on staircases as the means of activity. If the building is only one story, but other requirements such as the access to a fitness center are met, is out of the question to pursue/achieve this credit?
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Stephanie Graham
Sustainability ManagerBurns & McDonnell
26 thumbs up
September 22, 2015 - 1:51 pm
The intent of the credit is to improve the health of building users through physical activity—while reducing environmental impacts. This credit requires multiple measures are implemented in order to achieve the credit, one of which is fitness center and most of the others relate to a stair. A stair in the building has the additional environmental benefit of decreasing the building's footprint; so there are a number of environmental benefits suggested by the credit as written--potential for additional open space and possible filtration of stormwater, less impervious area, etc.
I do not believe just having a fitness center would meet this credit intent. I would ask a couple of questions to find additional ways to meet the credit intent. What are ways that building users are encouraged to be active as they move through their workday in the building? How are these alternatives more convenient or desirable than less active measures? How do these measures provide environmental benefits, in addition to health benefits? For example, the credit also offers the possibility of providing a check out system for active equipment that can be used by employees at their work areas, such as tread-desks, desk-steppers and exercise ball chairs--how might you build on this idea to encourage health and environmental benefits? You would need to submit an alternate approach for a project interpretation, however, and as we all know, some credits are simply not achievable by all projects.
Joanna Switzer
Sustainability Project ManagerAtkins
59 thumbs up
September 23, 2015 - 1:21 pm
Agreed. There have been past Innovation precedents for health related initiatives...Ergonomics, Wellness, etc. It might be prudent to research those and craft an Innovation that incorporates the relevant (Fitness) aspects of this pilot, in conjunction with other measurable health benefits established by the others mentioned. The absence of the stair as a key element for this particular credit will need to be offset somehow.