Hi!
We have a residential project where there is ground level vehicle circulation (not-enclosed) that is hardscape. In addition, it is entirely covered, but not enclosed, by the podium massing, consisting of 6 stories of amentiy floors. The residential towers sits on top of the podium. This helps to minimize the solar exposure onto the hardscape that would typically be exposed to the sky.
A) I assume that it would contribute to the "Total Site Paving Area" given that it is hardscape.
B) And if so, which of the non-roof measures would be best applicable? We are providing shading with the podium massing that is 6 stories. I would think massing shading would count towards this credit, otherwise we would be penalized by account additional area circulation for Total Site Paving Area. Could we still apply the strategy "architectural devices or structures" which is the podium massing and just ensure that the podium roof has an initial SR value of at least 0.33 at instulation or three-year aged refelctance (SR) value of at least 0.28.
Appreciate any help there is!
emily reese moody
Sustainability Director, Certifications & ComplianceJacobs
LEEDuser Expert
476 thumbs up
June 30, 2023 - 1:44 am
Hi Nicholas,
My rule of thumb for determining what's site hardscape versus not when there's a covering in place is to ask "What's visible on the overall site plan?" If you wouldn't see that vehicle drive area via drone flying overhead, then the sun's not (generally) hitting it, and you'd need to track the reflectivity of the covering, instead - whether that's a roof-like canopy just over that area, or whether it's the roof of a structure many floors above (in which case these would go in the roof calcs, not site).
Make sense?