My project is pursuing LEED for Homes: Multifamily Midrise, and I'm, wondering if it has enough landscaped area to qualify for some of the water efficiency and other landscaping credits.
The building in question is a 4 story multifamily unit that is located within a 3 building development that all share a common courtyard. We were initially planning on drawing the LEED boundary at the building line, as the rest of the parcel is pursuing LEED ND certification. There are, however, plant beds that run adjacent to the building along most of the perimeter, as well as several trees and shrubs in planters. In addition, some of the patio adjacent to the building will be pervious.
My question is this: If we want to extend the project boundary out 5 ft or so from the building's exterior walls, is will be be able to capture some of the landscape related points? I know that it will depend on the actual ratios of hard- to softscape, but does anyone know if there are minimum area requirements in order to qualify for landscape-related credits?
I've tried looking in the Homes and Midrise rating systems to no real avail, does anyone have any recommendations for other places to look?
Thanks,
-Sam
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1976 thumbs up
February 13, 2012 - 6:25 pm
Its sounds reasonable to include the plantings around the perimter of the project, especially if they are within the scope of work of the building or required by zoning codes for that project. The LEED boundary can be defined by the project team as long it's reasonable and consistent across all credits. Start with the "scope of work" or site plan for your building and see if that works.
Being part of ND shouldn't be a problem - but if there are other NC or Homes projects you have to be careful to not "double dip" by including site area in more than one building certification.
Sam Watters
Associate ConsultantUHG Consulting
46 thumbs up
February 16, 2012 - 12:13 pm
Thank you for your response David, it looks like we shouldn't have a problem capturing some of those credits.
I do have another question that pertains to drawing the LEED boundary.
The residential structure is part of a larger building that includes a sub-grade bus garage and a large 4 story parking garage. The buildings are completely self-contained, and the parking garage is separated from the residential area by a firewall.
We are currently planning on including only the residential portion in the LEED boundary, cutting off the LEED project at the firewall (between the parking garage and residential).
Since the residential portion and the parking garage are connected structurally, must we count the garage as part of the LEED project? It seems to me as though a "reasonable" boundary would be this firewall, especially considering that the garage also services the rest of the development (hotel and bus station) as well.
Any guidance is greatly appreciated, thanks for your help
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11475 thumbs up
February 17, 2012 - 10:55 am
Sam, I am not a LEED for Homes expert, but in the world of the other LEED rating systems, as governed by the Minimum Program Requirements, setting the boundary at that fire wall would be fine.