Task Lighting for Private Offices?

In past projects, where there is a single occupancy office or workstation, if a hard-wired light switch is provided, then a task light is not necessary. The way I interpret the LEED User guidance above is that it's assumed that ambient lighting is not controllable by each individual. An open office with only centrally controlled ambient lighting and without task lighting would thus not comply. Adding task lighting to each workstation in an open office would allow that space to comply, as each individual has control over their own lighting. Do others agree?

Yes, this is how our guidance is intended to be read. Sorry for any confusion.

Any further insight on individual offices (one occupant)? We have received a ruling in the past (2008 - CI 2.0 project) that a single on/off switch in an individual office does not meet the credit requirements. We would consider an on/off switch the ambient lighting and have since required projects to also include a task light or dual level lighting capability in private individual offices. Has anyone successfully earned this point with just on/off switches recently?

Amy, on many projects I have had no trouble with providing one light switch for one private office. The key is making it clear to the reviewer that there is really only one occupant planned for that individual office. Furniture layout can help to solidify this claim.