Open Space vs. Vegetative Space

Lorne Mlotek

BASc., LEED AP BD+C, O+M

LeadingGREEN Training and Consulting Inc, Viridis EC LLC

LEEDuser Basic Member

20 thumbs up

June 17, 2014

I just want to clarify what the difference is between Outdoor Space and Vegetative Space. In this credit we are looking at 30% of total site = Outdoor Space 25% of which (IE. 7.5% of total site) be vegetative. Does this mean the outdoor space can be a basketball court and not vegetated? I ask this because in the past I had always associated open space with vegetation. Thanks!

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Theresa Backhus

Sites Technical Specialist, LEED

USGBC

LEEDuser Premium Member

47 thumbs up

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 14:44

Hi Lorne, Yes, your interpretation is correct. The v4 credit acknowledges that valuable open space could also include non-vegetated spaces (like paved public gathering spaces, athletic courts, etc) so long as they are physically accessible and meet the requirements in the bulleted list. There is still a vegetation requirement, as you said above, however not ALL outdoor space area needs to be vegetated. So yes, the 25% is taken from the 30% (it's not 25% of the project). Example: the total site area of the project is 35,000 sf. The minimum outdoor space required for this project would be 10,500 sf (30%). The minimum vegetated area would be 2,625 sf (25% of 10,500 sf).

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