The credit intent is to provide the building occupants with a connection between indoor spaces and outdoors through the introduction of daylight and views into the regularly occupied areas of the building. Compliance requires 90% view area. The total for this project is 86.7% for the spaces that are applicable to the credit. However we believe that we are meeting the credit intent when you take into consideration the stringent design requirements of this project - a school for the deaf. In designing for deaf students it is critically important to control the source of light. A person signing - teacher or student - cannot be backlit by a light source. Backlighting makes it very difficult for signers to understand each other as the eye is not capable of overcoming the variations in light intensity while trying to read the subtlety of handshapes and expression made by the person signing. In response to this design constraint the architect has minimized the backlit area by placing the view windows in alcoves at the perimeters of each classroom. Good daylighting and even light distribution are achieved with clerestory windows, light monitors and light shelves. We are happy to provide drawings and elevations to illustrate the design constraints, intent and solution achieved. We believe we have maximized the view area to the greatest extent possible within the design restraints and meet the credit requirements. Please advise.
Without seeing the drawings and illustrations that describe your constraints and solutions, it is difficult to determine if your project warrants an alternative approach to the 90% views requirement. While the design considerations for avoiding backlighting in this case are important, it is not clear why that would limit access to views. Backlighting can be controlled with shades, landscaping, and orientation of the teacher and students. From your description, it appears possible that you are misapplying the calculations for this credit. Revisit the Reference Guide\'s instruction. Also note CIR EQc8.2 10/4/2001, which says that individual room areas that have views for 90% or greater of their area can count their entire area toward the total (rather than requiring a calculation for minute detail areas).