The LEED User Guide clearly states in Equation 2. Vegetated space >= 25% x Required Open Space, that the calculation uses required open space as against the proposed design available open space.
But it seems like the Credit form calculation of 'Percentage of open space that is vegetated (%)' looks at the 'Area of open space (sqft)' which is used to show compliance with the open space (%), and hence cannot be documented as 30% of total site area. Outlined below are the numbers crunched for the project and as input in the Credit form -
Total site area, including building footprint(s) (sq ft) - 45,774 sq.ft (Value input by team)
Area of open space (sq ft) - 15,119 sq.ft
Percentage of site area that is open space (%) - 33.03 (Autocalculated using values above)
Area of open space that is vegetated (sq ft) - 3,577 sq.ft (Value input by team)
The Credit form incorrectly refers to the Area of actual design/project open space area and not the 'Required Open Space' area.
Percentage of open space that is vegetated (%) - 23.66 (Autocalculated using 'Area of Open Space' and 'Area of Open Space that is vegetated')
Percentage of open space that is vegetated (%) - 26.04 (WHEN Calculated using 'Required Open Space' and 'Area of Open Space that is vegetated')
We submitted with the %of vegetated open space calculations at 23.66% and pointing out the discrepancy in calculation method in the 'Special Circumstances' section, but still were denied the credit in the first review noting that we didn't meet the min. 25% threshold.
Please advice on what other documentation should be provided to convince the reviewers about the discrepancy in the Credit Form.
Teresa Stern
Artist, Curator, WriterTeresa Stern Arts
19 thumbs up
February 25, 2019 - 5:33 pm
You could enter the "Required open space" in the box for "Area of open space" on the credit form so that the form then will show 25% vegetated open space. The fact that the project has extra open space should not, per the Reference Guide citation, penalize the project. I'd suggest trying the Ask a Reviewer process to request a conference call with the reviewer and discuss the issue. If they refer you to the email process, I'd include a screenshot of the calculation guidance in the Reference Guide too, for good measure. Good luck!
Ask a Reviewer: http://www.gbci.org/contact, click on the box for Certification Question
Daniel Brum
DirectorIntegrative Consulting
2 thumbs up
December 18, 2019 - 4:35 pm
I have the same situation here in one of my projects. The template automatic calculation considers the actual total open space area and not the minimum 30% required open space. Can you tell us Amarpreet Sethi what has GBCI advised?