I'm working on a project which is a renovation of an old power plant into a fitness center. The building had one existing floor, however, I am adding a second floor without changing the roof.
In regards to this credit (MRc1.1) I assume, the new floor addition square footage does not affect the building reuse calcs? Should I even mention that I am adding a new floor to the building?
I think this credit is tricky because Leed states "If the project includes an addition that is more than 6 times (for C+S) and 2 times (for NC and Schools) the square footage of the existing building, this credit is not applicable."
LEED does not define "an addition." It seems to me that an addition would apply to new construction OUTSIDE the building footprint. What about completely new spaces within the building footprint?
Thanks,
Nicole
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
October 11, 2010 - 2:17 pm
I think in the context of this credit the new square footage would not be considered an addition since you are not adding it outside the building footprint or envelope.
Anne Nicklin
Executive DirectorBuilding Materials Reuse Association
167 thumbs up
October 11, 2010 - 4:28 pm
Hi Nicole,
If I'm understanding this right- you're increasing the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of the building, and questioning whether or not you need to declare the increase in determining basic eligibility for the credit. I'd say, yes, the new floor does count. It helped me when I started to think about a building that added ten floors on top of an existing floor- that made it look much more like a new addition despite the fact that you are maintaining the footprint.
Since you are only adding one floor though- it should not impact your project's eligibility for the credit, as it's highly unlikely that the second floor is twice the size of the first floor. Plus- the credit is based on reuse of existing materials, so no penalty there.
Hope that helps.
-Anne
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
October 11, 2010 - 4:52 pm
Anne & Nicole -
The outcome might be the same in this case, but I think the question touches on whether you're adding the new floor inside the existing volume of the building or whether it's being added on top of the existing building and adding to it's height.
It might be a nit picky distinction, but we had a similar scenario converting a historic armory - a single volume shell - into a multi-level performing arts center. The exterior shell and roof remained intact, but several levels of program are were added within that volume. So even though the FAR did increase, both the footprint and the existing shell (and volume above grade) stayed the same. Make sense?
Nicole Cavanaugh
cox graae + spack architects75 thumbs up
October 11, 2010 - 4:54 pm
Perfect sense- this is the same scenario I was interested in. Thanks everyone for your help.
Anne Nicklin
Executive DirectorBuilding Materials Reuse Association
167 thumbs up
October 13, 2010 - 11:48 am
Thanks David- I agree that if you're not changing the envelope then the additional square footage should not keep you from applying for the credit.
thanks-a