Iconic Building with two layers of Facade

Ahmed Mosa

Sustainability Consultant - Sustainable Design Researcher

P&T Architects and Engineers

LEEDuser Basic Member

8 thumbs up

July 29, 2013

We are currently working on the design of an iconic building that has 2 layers of facade. The exterior shell is just fins that runs around the main environmental envelope but away "10 Meters" from it creating outdoor external semi shaded spaces all around the building with a separate exterior structure. The question is: when i calculate the building footprint, shall i include theses outdoor areas covered with the outer shell "which will increase the footprint drastically and will gave false impression as these covered areas are just shaded outdoor gardens and not part of the building" Or just the internal building environmental envelope? Please Advice

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Kimberly Frith

LEEDuser Basic Member

210 thumbs up

Mon, 07/29/2013 - 21:45

Ahmed, it sounds like the shaded outdoor gardens would not be considered part of the building footprint, but you may want to include a narrative explaining these areas if you're attempting credits like SSc5.2 which compare the building footprint & landscaped areas.

Ahmed Mosa

Sustainability Consultant - Sustainable Design Researcher

P&T Architects and Engineers

LEEDuser Basic Member

8 thumbs up

Mon, 07/29/2013 - 21:58

Thanks Kimberly, that's what i thought also,yes we are targeting SSc5.1 and SSc5.2 with very challenging local zoning requirements (40% site coverage) which made LEED percentages even harder especially when i include the outer shell in the footprint. Do you think this issue requires a CIR or an official formal inquiry to USGBC?

Kimberly Frith

LEEDuser Basic Member

210 thumbs up

Mon, 08/05/2013 - 18:27

That's up to your project team, it wouldn't hurt since you have unique circumstances with your building footprint.