Service Bay Entries

Anthony Bandy-Zalatoris

architect

vocon

LEEDuser Basic Member

5 thumbs up

February 27, 2012

The architect of our project created a design where there is no "back" of the building - the street-side elevation is nearly identical to the rear (parking lot and service side). So the first floor is full height aluminum storefront all around the building. Potential retail tenants on the first floor have started to creatively figure out how they will receive deliveries and get rid of their trash through the same appearing glass entries located on the back that the public users on the other side (street side) of the building will use. In addition, they are figuring out how they keep the back of house functions from being visible from the outside. In relation to the requirement regarding length between service bay entries, does anyone think that the described service entrances actually qualify as the service entrances? Or do they strictly mean curb cuts/overhead doors/etc for loading dock entrances?

Post a reply

Chris Marshall

Manager, LEED Technical Development

U.S. Green Building Council

LEEDuser Premium Member

123 thumbs up

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 14:10

Hi Anthony. I believe that the service entries you describe do not count as the service bay entries the pilot credit is trying to minimize. In alignment with what you suggested in your second question, the requirement is truly meant to limit traditional, large-scale service entries that require large curb cuts, driveways, and other interruptions to the pedestrian environment. So, I think you're safe with the current building design.

Agnes Vorbrodt

Principal

VvS | Architects & Consultants

LEEDuser Basic Member

23 thumbs up

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 21:13

Thank you for your answer. Our project similarly tried to reduce the service drives/entrances and enhance the pedestrian experience. The architect created only one drive on the side of the building (connecting to a neighboring building access road, with no new curb cuts) which leads all the traffic - deliveries and parking to a single-location (with 2 openings into the building) in a technical part of the building far from all the entrances and pedestrian areas.