Hello all,

We’re currently pursuing LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction certification for an airport project, and are seeking clarification on how to model retail tenant spaces under the latest March 1, 2024 update.

These spaces are intended for future retail concessions (e.g., food & beverage, shops) to be occupied by third-party tenants. However, tenant lease agreements have not yet been executed, and therefore we lack specific details on the interior fit-out, including:

  • Final HVAC system selections (our design team has only provided tap-offs for air-side systems),
  • Lighting power densities, and
  • Receptacle/equipment loads.

In this context, we have the following questions:

  1. Under the updated LEED v4 guidance, how should we model HVAC systems in these retail tenant spaces where tenants are expected to design and install their own downstream systems?
  2. What are the appropriate default assumptions for lighting and equipment power densities in such tenant spaces? Can we use ASHRAE 90.1-2010/2016 default values, or are there LEED-approved default assumptions specifically for retail in airports?

Any experience or direction—especially from similar airport retail projects—would be greatly appreciated.