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Mid-Rise-v4 MPR3:Must comply with project size requirements

LEED for Homes: Midrise Floor Storey limit

Profile picture for user tnabholz_1
Tim Nabholz
Associate - Sustainability
Integral Group
LEEDuser Basic Member
9 thumbs up

I have a project that is looking at pursuing a LEED certification. The project is a 23 storey residential facility and was wondering if LEED for Homes: Midrise could be pursued. I had mentioned to them that LEED for Homes: Midrise is for "Multi-family residential buildings of 4 to 8 occupiable stories above grade." Additionally, I let them know that "buildings near 8 stories can inquire with USGBC about using Midrise or New Construction, if appropriate." I let them know that I had heard of some 10 and maybe even 12 storey buildings have been allowed to pursuing Homes: Midrise, but that 23 storeys is likely too many.  However, another consultant, who is also a Provider/ Green Rater, suggested to the client that there is no limit on the number of storeys and that a LEED for Homes: Midrise project would be suitable for this project.

Has there been an addendum that was released clarifying this? I would agree that the 8 storey limit is arbitrary and that all residential properties would fit this rating system. Though it seems unfortunate if only the Providers/Green Raters are privy to this.

Does anyone have any clarification around this?

 

 

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Sharon Block
LEED AP + Homes, LEED for Homes Green Rater
Bright Green Strategies
LEEDuser Basic Member
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Wed, 12/20/2017 - 21:52

  • https://www.usgbc.org/articles/rating-system-selection-guidance
  • LEED BD+C: Multifamily Midrise. . Multi-family residential buildings of 4 or more occupiable stories above grade. The building must have 50% or more residential space. These buildings may also use LEED BD+C: New Construction.

Thu, 09/27/2018 - 14:44

Thanks for the reference. That article is published in 2014 and notes "4 or more" whereas the Reference Guide from Jan 2016 notes "4 to 8" occupiable floors. I take it from your response above that the "4 or more" is current, is that correct? Also, the Reference Guide does not include any list of points under the credit headings, as it does for BD+C: Hospitality, for instance. How do we know which credits or points are effected by the use of the Multifamily Rating System? Is there a separate checklist to download?
Profile picture for user tnabholz_1
Tim Nabholz
Associate - Sustainability
Integral Group
LEEDuser Basic Member
9 thumbs up

Thu, 09/27/2018 - 15:00

Hi Sherman,  Page 11 in the reference guide provides an overview of all of the Homes credits and page 16 provides an overview of all of the Multifamily Midrise credits. Additionally, if the credit requirements are different for the credit, each credit will have separate sections for Homes and Multifamily Midrise. Hope that helps.

Thu, 09/27/2018 - 15:25

Thanks for that reference. I did not realize there is a separate Ref Guide for Homes. It seems to be online, but I do not see Page 11 or 16, perhaps that is in a purchased copy? Also, in the LEED Online Registration page there is no pull-down selection for Homes. Does the whole process go through a Green Rater? It appears that Homes Midrise can apply to buildings more than 4 stories as noted in the comment above, despite the conflict in the wording in the online guide introduction. Still, it may be more appropriate to use the BD+C NC system.

Thu, 09/27/2018 - 15:34

I did obtain the Reference Guide introduction and see the Checklists. Please excuse my comment above. The question about registration may still be open, although it appears that the Green Rater Organization is the key. Thanks again.

Thu, 09/27/2018 - 15:35

I did obtain the Reference Guide introduction and see the Checklists. Please excuse my comment above. The question about registration may still be open, although it appears that the Green Rater Organization is the key. Thanks again.
Profile picture for user tnabholz_1
Tim Nabholz
Associate - Sustainability
Integral Group
LEEDuser Basic Member
9 thumbs up

Thu, 09/27/2018 - 17:56

Hi Sherman, LEED for Homes projects, regardless of whether they are Midrise or not, require Green Raters and LEED Providers. As we are seeing many of our new projects head towards LEED for Homes, this is overwhelming the current batch of Providers. I would expect the USGBC (CaGBC for us in Canada) is trying to rectify this situation. We have been in contact with the CaGBC about potentially expanding the number of Providers so as to remove the burden (and monopoly in many cases) from the current batch. Another alternative would be to remove the Provider requirement from Midrise Multifamily projects as these projects are usually completed by larger developers and don't require the same level of hand-holding as the smaller LEED for Homes projects.   Your question does rightly raise a concern that many of us are feeling while pursuing LEED for Homes projects. The rating system fits much better than BD+C, but it does create alternate issues around Providers and Green Raters.

Thu, 09/27/2018 - 18:27

Thanks. Good to know our concerns are shared with others facing similar choices.

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