Does anybody have any thoughts on certifying an existing building undergoing a major renovation as LEED NC but excluding a relatively small portion of support space that is managed by a different entity and not part of our project scope? We're renovating a three story wood frame classroom building and would prefer LEED NC but there is a data center and small central plant (not supplying our space) on the ground floor that are managed by different departments within the same university. We will not be touching them other than adding any life safety that may be required by code. The space is separately metered and represents over 60% of our peak load and 80 to 90% of our annual energy cost. It takes up about half of the ground floor area with the other half being renovated as classroom support space for our project. I see the language in MPR about the certification needing to be a building in its entirety though a vertical addition that is distinct could be considered a separate building, but it wasn't clear if the data center & central plant located in a portion of our ground floor could be considered a separate building from our classroom building. We were also considering LEED CI (again excluding data center and central plant) as we're keeping the existing walls and windows, but we're also doing some exterior work such as adding HC ramps.
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Joyce Kelly
Architect - Cx Provider - Green Building SpecialistGLHN Architects & Engineers
27 thumbs up
May 30, 2017 - 12:59 pm
Excellent and highly relevant question. Any thoughts from the Experts? Waiting to hear back from USGBC on a similar issue. Renovating 12,000sf existing and adding 2 floors (19,000sf) to existing 100,000sf College of Pharmacy. University wants at least LEED Silver for all new construction. How to define the boundary with so many spatially programmatic dependent spaces?
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
May 31, 2017 - 5:38 pm
The simpler approach for Nathan's project would be to use CI. The exterior ramp work sounds minimal, and doesn't impact major building systems or envelope assemblies.
If the data center and plant are separately metered and serve departments, program functions, and spaces completely separate from the classroom building, it seems reasonable to ask the USGBC if they would allow NC if that is your preference.
Joyce's project is less clear. If it was just the renovation than CI would be the first choice, especially if it is a distinct space with a clear scope boundary. It's also feasible to pursue EBOM for the building and include the renovation under the EBOM scope. Are the two floors being added on top of the existing building or alongside? Additions have been allowed to use NC when they have a very clear boundary, separate HVAC systems, and often a separate name such as "The Joan and John Closterhaus-Smith Memorial Wing" or some such thing...
Joyce Kelly
Architect - Cx Provider - Green Building SpecialistGLHN Architects & Engineers
27 thumbs up
May 31, 2017 - 5:59 pm
Thanks David. Two floors on top of part of existing bldg. (may call it the WX?YZ Research Wing) plus new ramps and other ADA renovations and some Lab upgrades downstairs. Central plant for HVAC means Energy Model would evaluate Boiler and Chiller serving new, separate zones - as well as any other zones they already serve. Seems like we need to include the entire college's FTE and square footage for site-related credits but limit focus to all new & renovated spaces for other credits. If that's possible?
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
May 31, 2017 - 6:24 pm
I suspect CI may end up being the more straightforward path given the overlapping "boundary conditions."
I don't think you'd need to include the whole campus FTE. For site credits like bike racks and showers, you'll need to look at the FTE of any adjacent buildings and see if they have enough bike racks and showers of their own on the assumption they might someday pursue certification.
For open space, you might look at the whole campus area and total % of open space, habitat, etc,and allocate some for your building, and some for adjacent buildings, or show the combined area is sufficient for all. Check the Campus guidance on shared site areas, parking, etc.
With fewer site credits, CI simplifies this. Let us know what you hear from USGBC!
Joyce Kelly
Architect - Cx Provider - Green Building SpecialistGLHN Architects & Engineers
27 thumbs up
May 31, 2017 - 6:27 pm
I wasn't clear. College meant the rest of the building = College of Pharmacy - not the entire University campus. Guess it's time to consider CI then. Will do.