I have a space in a University Commons building which will be used primarily as a meeting, planning space. At first I assumed the space would be classified as a multi-occupant space because there is a large conference room table, etc. However, it turns out that on the furniture plan there are about 8 workstations around the perimeter and within the space. These desks won't be assigned, but will just act as a place for individuals to put their things down and do some related work, if necessary. So my question is, do these 8 workstations have to be counted in the "individual workstation" total and then should I treat the actual space as a multi-occupant space (because its still a meeting/conference type room)? Also, would these workstations just be required to electric outlets or do they have to have task lighting hardwired in the cubicle?
Thanks!
Mike Fortier
3 thumbs up
July 23, 2013 - 12:18 pm
I'm also working on a university project with the same type of space and wanted to know if it can be classified as multi-occupant even though there are unassigned individual workstations.
Larissa Oaks
Specialist, LEEDUSGBC
LEEDuser Expert
67 thumbs up
July 30, 2013 - 5:29 pm
Hi Mike and Courtney,
If the occupants are using the individual workstations for an extended period of time to do individual tasks they should be considered individual occupant spaces. Assigned vs. unassigned is not a factor in determining whether a space needs controls. For example, in a library, study carrels are considered individual occupant spaces. It definitely depends on the use of the workstations/desks, if the activities will be more collaborative classifying the entire area as multi-occupant might be more appropriate.
The task lighting does not need to be hardwired.
Courtney Royal
Sr. Sustainability ConsultantTaitem Engineering
50 thumbs up
July 31, 2013 - 10:42 am
Thanks, Larissa. I actually submitted as a multi-occupant space because those workstations would not be used for any extended period of time, and it was accepted.
Thank you.