Hi,
We are evaluating the LEED certification potential of a new winery that will be built in Portugal (using the rating system LEED BD+C: New Construction and Major Renovation).
The winery is located near the vineyards, which are, as expected, far away from settlements and major infra-structures. Because of this, the score for the Location and Transportation credits is very low and deeply penalizes LEED certification potential (and, consequently, the client is interested in the system because he knows that there are already some PLATINUM and GOLD wineries and he does not want less than that).
Is there any alternative compliance path or strategies to deal with these characteristics, which is probably common to all wineries ?
Thanks for your attention. I’m looking forward to your reply.
Kara Strong
Project DirectorSustainable Design Consulting
LEEDuser Expert
31 thumbs up
November 8, 2018 - 4:00 pm
Ricardo,
I'm not aware of any ACPs for wineries. In general, the LEED Rating system rewards projects that reduce the overall environmental impact. Just this week, BuildingGreen just posted an article discussing how the energy used traveling to and from buildings can be greater than the energy used to run them. Consequently, non-urban projects must compensate for the additional environmental impacts of transportation by achieving more points (in other categories) to be considered equivalent to urban buildings. That said, you might review some of the warehouse compliance options and craft an equivalent approach for wineries. You can then submit your ACP via the LEED Interpretation process.
Good Luck,
Kara
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
November 8, 2018 - 6:42 pm
Yes, there is a warehouse compliance option for location near to key transit corridors. You might be able to adopt this for a winery.
However, in general LEED is biased toward dense urban environments, as a matter of overall policy. There are definitely context-appropriate projects that are arguably unfairly treated by this overall policy.
Emily Purcell
Sustainable Design LeadCannonDesign
LEEDuser Expert
370 thumbs up
November 9, 2018 - 10:55 am
You might look into alternatives to LEED that fit the context better - SITES could be a good fit, maybe paired with an energy efficiency certification for the building. I know it doesn't have the same name recognition, but could fit the owner's goals for the project well.