NC 2009 or v4 Multifamily Midrise

Hi Steve,

Great questions. Quick FYI - when looking at rating system selection, we don't count parking decks.

You have 3 options for this project: NC 2009, Midrise v4, or Midrise v2010.

USGBC recommends that all projects start using v4 as early as possible, since we've made quite a few improvements throughout the v4 rating systems. That being said, regardless of the version, we recommend Midrise over NC for this multifamily project because it's a more appropriate rating system. It was written specifically for this project type, whereas NC is more general since it is applicable across the gamut of commercial buildings.

As an architect, you will benefit from the onsite verification process required in Midrise. For example, all the energy efficiency specs/details that you develop will be verified to be installed properly on site by an energy expert. In addition, the onsite verification process means there is less documentation required, and nothing is required to be uploaded to LEED Online.

If you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to answer them.
-Asa

Asa,

I have a very similar situation to Timothy's, except my project is located outside the US - in Guatemala. We've had a very difficult time with LEED for Homes in the past because it doesn't seem to be a very international-friendly rating system, so we would rather stick with NC or CS 2009.

My questions are:

1. How are the occupiable above-grade stories defined for LEED? Our project will have 4 occupiable stories, but the upper two will belong to the same apartment units (two-story apartments). I'm asking this because we are on the borderline of being allowed to use NC.

2. Could we use CS for a midrise residential building if the scope will not include a complete interior fit-out? Things such as furniture, lamps, and kitchen equipment will probably not be provided by the developer.

3. Given that the project is outside the US, do you agree that it would be better to use NC/CS than Midrise v4? What do you think our limitations would be?

Thanks for your help!

Alejandro,

Am afraid the GBCI did not agree to let me use LEED NC on a similar project I had in Khazakhstan. This scale of project is not appropriate for LEED CS--there are a few LEED CS residential projects but they have tend to be residential towers--almost all residential is either LEED for Homes, Midrise, or NC. Remember that we don't normally include furniture and lamps in any case for NC, you just need basic finishes and equipments like sanitary ware, AC, ventilation and basic ceiling/wall lighting. Regarding LEED for Homes: It was impossible for me to become certified as a LEED for Homes Reviewer, because you must track an existing project with a certified reviewer to complete your certification, something that I could not arrange to do outside the US. The requirements seem unnecessarily confusing. In my case we had to drop the project.

Alejandro, Melissa, We are starting with the certification of a major renovation of a residential building that has 10 floors. First of all, since this project is in Spain, I think Midrise would not be an option because it would require someone from the USA to come over. I would love to become a Green Rater myself, but due to the lack of projects under the LEED for Homes rating system it may a bit too early for that. Did you go ahead with your project Alejandro? If so, what Rating system did you decide to apply? Melissa, I am surprised to hear GBCI did not let you use NC on a similar project. What was their argumentation? In our project I am evaluating NC agains CS. I am discussing with the developer, but it may be that they will offer the residential units without basic finishes such as interior finishes and water fixtures. Or to make it more complicated, they might offer some residential units including an interior fit-out and some residential units without such an interior fit-out. I am thinking of applying the 40/60 rule in that case. Interested in getting any feedback ...