I'm seeding this conversation with a few things that Kim and I have come up in our conversations so far:
- Are you connecting to another building on an existing campus? The name of your project is important. USGBC wants your building to be named "XYZ Addition" or "Wing" or similar. They don't want to create confusion that might suggest more of the campus is certified than is really is the case. This might make sense for some projects, but a lot of owners like the buildings to work together seamlessly.
- LEED Online forms aren't always accurate. (This isn't news, right?!?) GBCI has told us that if the requirements in the form are different than those in the Reference Guide, then the Ref Guide rules. However, if the form is simply missing a requirement then you're not necessarily off the hook. For example, the current EQc7 form is missing the requirements regarding the survey. You should preemptively upload those regardless, because GBCI will ask you for them later.
- You need to read the fine print. For example, SSc9.2 Direct Exterior Access for Patients requires wind tunnel/CFD analysis per EQc5. Also, MRc3 Sustainably Sourced Materials and Products requires a minimum level of mercury in all flyash on the job site in order to pursue these points at all. That can be a real deal breaker if you don't catch it early.
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
September 30, 2014 - 8:48 am
I would encourage everyone who reads the HC boards to participate in this discussion. If you can, go to the presentation. Last year's conversation was great.
Overall, it seems that the HC standard assumes an experienced LEED practitioner. When I hit something missing in the forms, I assume that I'll need to provide the information anyways and work towards what I know they need. This is the opposite approach from our NC projects where it is a strictly 'just the facts'. It is a difficult field of sustainability to leap into just as it is a difficult field of architecture to leap into. It is not for the faint of heart.
Mara Baum
Partner, Architecture & SustainabilityDIALOG
674 thumbs up
September 30, 2014 - 2:10 pm
Susan, that's a really good point about the experienced LEED practitioner. This used to be the case with NC as well, but we've taken it for granted since it's been in the market place for so long. One of Kim's and my goals is to help turn anyone into an experienced practitioner -- i.e. help them better understand the background behind some of the issues and set teams up for success before they submit their credit documentation. I like to think of myself as an experienced LEED practitioner and I've still learned a lot through this process.