Hi everyone,
We have an office building with two floors and an internal atrium that crosses them.
My first question is, for the alternative view into atrium can I consider all the spaces facing it? Both those on the ground floor and on the first floor?
Then, credit requirements says that "Views into interior atria may be used to meet up to 30% of the required area", how can I highlight them into the calculator sheet?
The voice "Occupants must have direct access to the view and be within three times the head height of the glazing" still apply for these spaces?
At the first floor, the limit from which I have to consider the distance of 3 times is the parapet?
I have to assume the atrium as an exterior space? What view content I have to choose since those offered by the calculator refer to external spaces (nature, urban landmark, object at least 25 feet)
Thanks you in advance for your help!
Deborah Lucking
Director of SustainabilityFentress Architects
LEEDuser Expert
256 thumbs up
February 11, 2022 - 1:02 pm
First of all, I suggest using the April 2021 or later (is there a later?) version of v4.1. The views criteria are less onerous:
"Provide occupants in the building with a view to the outdoor natural or urban environment for 75% of all regularly occupied floor area. Auditoriums, conference rooms dedicated to video conferencing, and gymnasiums may be excluded. Views into interior atria may be used to meet up to 30% of the required area.
Views must be through glass with a visible light transmittance (VLT) above 40%. If the glazing has frits, patterns, or tints the view must be preserved. Neutral gray, bronze, and blue-green tints are acceptable.
Views must include at least one of the following:
nature, urban landmarks, or art; or
objects at least 25 feet (7.5 meters) from the exterior of the glazing.
Occupants must have direct access to the view and be within three times the head height of the glazing."
We have not pursued the Credit under this version, but I would imagine that if the worksheet does not give you what you want, include an explanation of your process and tag it in the "alternate compliance" box.
Good luck!
Helen Martin
February 14, 2022 - 6:31 am
Does this mean that there is no longer any need to consider this requirement "multiple lines of sight to vision glazing in different directions at least 90 degrees apart" in the calculations?
Ilaria Colombo
February 14, 2022 - 12:20 pm
Version 4.1 (the most recent I found is october 2021) it seems less onerous but makes the prerequisite that all spaces regularly occupied satisfy the condition of views that must include "objects at least 25 feet (7.5 meters) from the exterior of the glazing" which we can't insure for all spaces regularly occupied. For this reason we are thinking to follow v4 in order to have more choice between the 4 view types for which however the exposed doubts still remain. In any case include an explanation of our process it will surely be a way forward. Thanks
Sara Goenner Curlee
Sustainability Manager and ArchitectPope Design Group
60 thumbs up
June 23, 2022 - 3:56 pm
Ilaria - I've been thinking through similar questions, as my project has an interior atrium as well. My thoughts are that projects can include as much of the regularly occupied square footage with views to interior atria as desired up to the 30% limit. If the regularly occupied areas with views span multiple floors or sides of an interior atrium that seems compliant to me. For my project, there is an interior wall with glazing between the room/regularly occupied area and the atrium, so I'm using the head height of the glazing to determine the "within three times the head height of the glazing" limitation. And yes, I'm thinking when it comes to determining the atrium view content we are meant to use the same options (nature, urban landmark, object at least 25 feet) as the exterior view.
If anyone has used this approach, or has further guidance, please share.