landscaping - none added - credit applicable?

Rachel Birnboim

Project Architect

KSQ Architects

LEEDuser Basic Member

28 thumbs up

October 1, 2010

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Tristan Roberts

Representative

Vermont House of Representatives

LEEDuser Expert

7780 thumbs up

Fri, 10/01/2010 - 23:38

Rachel, you do need landscaping to be eligible for the credit. When you say no "new," do you mean there was some to begin with? It has to be at least 5% of the site area—something we discuss above under the Checklists tab.Part of the idea here is to not incentivize projects to earn the credit by paving over everything or installing artificial turf, ec.

Rachel Birnboim

Project Architect

KSQ Architects

LEEDuser Basic Member

28 thumbs up

Mon, 10/04/2010 - 13:11

thank you for your response - yes, it is an existing site/building that we are doing a gut renovation and addition for. so there are existing trees and grass, which are to remain (some of the grass will be replaced). the existing trees are at least 5% of the site area. If we maintain/restore existing, are we compliant?

Tristan Roberts

Representative

Vermont House of Representatives

LEEDuser Expert

7780 thumbs up

Mon, 10/04/2010 - 14:56

If that landscaping is wihin your LEED boundary, and if you don't use permanent irrigation systems on it (or if the irrigation systems meet the credit thresholds), then yes, you'd be compliant.However, you mention turf grass. Turf grass is considered landscaping that requires permanent irrigation in most climates—which would not earn you the credit. So you may need to dig a little deeper—I recommend reviewing our guidance above under the Checklists and Doc Toolkit tabs.