This innovation credit awards a point for complying with WELL Feature 87: Beauty and Design. The WELL Building Standard requires a professional narrative describing the incorporation of design elements intended for human delight, celebration of culture, celebration of spirit, celebration of place and meaningful integration of public art. We were intentional during the design phase; we could develop the required narrative.
The LEED credit document states: Project teams must incorporate into the supporting narrative how the innovation strategy achieved comprehensive, measurable environmental performance beyond standard design practices. Does anyone have any guidance on how to document or what metrics can be used to document measurable environmental performance related to beauty?
Thank you.
Michael Yi
5 thumbs up
August 5, 2021 - 9:39 pm
Hi Laura,
The project needs to demonstrate a quantitative improvement (measureable environmental performance) by identifying a baseline of standard performance and then comparing that benchmark with the final design performance.
One thing that you could try is to survey either the surrounding community of your project, asking for their opinions based on some 1 - 5 rating/feeling system on the old site and compare it to the new proposed site or project. That being said, the goals of LEED generally revolve around energy efficient, healthy, and resilient buildings. It might be a bit of a stretch, but it could not hurt to try and achieve this one additional innovation point.
Make sure to follow standard survey and experimental protocols.
Good luck!
Sustainability & Commissioning
3 thumbs up
May 30, 2024 - 10:43 am
Hi Laura,
I received the same comment for this innovation credit. How did you end up addressing this comment?
Looking forward to hearing back from you!
Deborah Lucking
Director of SustainabilityFentress Architects
LEEDuser Expert
260 thumbs up
May 30, 2024 - 12:06 pm
We tried it for a SITES certification but got denied the credit as the art was "inside the building" (although a feature in the landscape. ah well). We defined "environmental" to include light, air and views; social; and economic (employment of craftsmen, etc.)
Here's what we cited for Social Benefit: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2021/09/29/can-viewing-art-reduce-stress.html#:~:text=There's%20evidence%20that%20looking%20at,the%20dust%20of%20everyday%20life.%E2%80%9D is one study that reports on the benefits of viewing art: All but one of the studies that measured self-reported stress found a significant decrease after viewing artwork. There was physiological evidence in four studies showing lowered blood pressure and decreased heart rate in two studies. One study found that fine arts students experienced a lift in their heart rate when viewing ‘beautiful’ paintings while other participants experienced a decrease.”
We were successful in an earlier attempt as a LEED Innovation Credit, and just listed the various forms of art, reasons for their selection, and their locations.
Good luck!