Im attempting to document the "views" credit in a new library. This particular library has a very long and broad curtain wall of glass on the north facade, and various storefronts and louvered curtain walls in other areas. It has about as much glazing as you can get, yet still having some fundamental issues with the "views" credit:
1) in the "stacks" area of a library, I believe it can be reasonably assumed the occupant is not-stationary and thus as they move, and depending on if they are looking parallel to stacks vs perpendicular to stacks - could have view of the perimeter wall (glass) and to the outside. Surely there is a precedent for this? Would I include all the floor area minus the fooprint area of the stacks as an area with a view to the perimeter glazing? other?
2) in one portion of this library, the "stacks" is open to a voluminous "atrium" type of space in which the entire north wall and portion of east wall are all glazed with curtain wall. the space is flooded with north light, and the experience of being in there is marked by the presence of daylight and connection to the exterior trees. Yet with regards to LEEDs rules, im not sure there is a way to document this and get the point. Has anyone come across special "circumstances" with regards to documenting view credit for the stacks area of a library?
3) is it assumed the stacks are fixed in place as shown on furntiture plan? in some areas if stacks were rotated a bit it would align in such a way as to allow view to perimeter glass. As they are now, they block the glass.
4) on a much more subjective level (and more of a stretch), the design of the shelving furniture allows little gaps in which you can see through the space created by top of books and shelf above. any precedent for this "counting"?
TODD REED
Energy Program SpecialistPA DMVA
LEEDuser Expert
889 thumbs up
September 24, 2013 - 3:59 pm
The stack areas do not need to be included in the calculations. So the area of the stacks, including the aisles can be excluded. Refer to the regularly occupied space matrix dated April 2013.
Carrie Laurendine
ArchitectChenevert Architects
27 thumbs up
September 24, 2013 - 4:01 pm
ah - didnt realize there was a 2013 matrix. the one linked above (resources) i believe is 2012.
thanks
Carrie Laurendine
ArchitectChenevert Architects
27 thumbs up
September 24, 2013 - 4:10 pm
Todd, i just looked at the april 2013 matrix. it defines stacks as "active" and "inactive" vs "regularly occupied" etc.
But never defines what they mean by this. The "active, non-regularly occupied stack" does seem to require inclusion in the credit.
do you have any idea what they are talking about?
TODD REED
Energy Program SpecialistPA DMVA
LEEDuser Expert
889 thumbs up
September 24, 2013 - 4:16 pm
Refer to notes tab, note 4;
Inactive spaces are nonoccupied (defined as spaces designed for equipment and machinery or storage with no human occupancy except for maintenance, repairs, and equipment retrieval. For areas with equipment retrieval, the space is only nonoccupied if the retrieval is occasional.
Carrie Laurendine
ArchitectChenevert Architects
27 thumbs up
September 24, 2013 - 6:03 pm
thanks Todd. it makes sense to me now. Suppose we wanted to include the stack spaces (even though it isnt required). Does the shelving in the stacks have to be taken account for? (it would likely block much of the views). I read the LEED addendum about furniture not counting if it is easily moveable, without the need for tools/special crew, etc. But I doubt library shelving meets this criteria.
On some level, it just feels odd to me that a library with high atrium wrapped in curtain wall would not get a views credit! but that is where the "rules" seem to be pointing....
TODD REED
Energy Program SpecialistPA DMVA
LEEDuser Expert
889 thumbs up
September 25, 2013 - 9:19 am
Michael, you are correct in that the shelving would have to be counted.
Lets think about this, where should you locate the regularly occupied space, places where people will be the most? Close to the windows receiving daylight and getting views. Spaces like stacks and storage, well they get placed where you can't get daylight or views. Following those rules, you never have to worry about whether or not you'll earn the credit.
So unless you have placed these stacks against a window wall or in the center of the space, which it seems they have been, earning this credit is easy as long as it was in the core of the design. I've seen many projects where this credit and others were after thoughts, or at least thought of in CD. Unless you put it in the DNA of the design, you will most likely have issues and are taking a chance.
I understand it can be frustrating based on the description of the space and not being able to earn it.Yes, you could arrange the shelves so a person can look down the aisles to the window. You just need to provide some very clear view line drawings,
Good luck.