Our project is an historic renovation of an industrial building being converted to a commercial office. Because of the nature of the renovation, we are severely limited as to where we are able to add windows to the building. However, the design team is committed to ensuring maximum access to views even within these constraints and would like to confirm a few design parameters for compliance with EQc8.2, Views for 90% of Spaces. The open office area is divided into cubicles by 42" high permanent built-in partitions. On top of these partitions, we are planning to install 18" removable translucent screens. Based on the 9/24/01 ruling (which reads, "this credit is calculated by including all space demising walls installed as part of the capital improvement project. Typically, modular furniture partitions (3\' 6" to 5\' 0") are not considered in this calculation. Full height demountable walls are considered in the calculation"), when drawing our lines of sight throughout the building, we are using the 42" measurement as the basis of line of sight. Even with the removable translucent screen, the full height of the partition will not exceed 5\'0". However some individuals in a seated position may have to adjust their position in order to see over or around the screen (much as they would if they were sitting in a cubicle built of modular furniture partitions). Question 1: Have we properly applied your ruling regarding systems furniture to our condition of adding these translucent screens to the top of our 42" partitions? To-date, our calculations have been based on the square footage of the cubicle that is actually occupied (i.e., the area that is desk surface has been excluded from the regularly occupied area square footage, as have all circulation areas). This has allowed us to add taller, much needed, storage elements throughout the open office area and still ensure that employees will be able to see out windows from their occupiable areas. Question 2: Have we properly accounted for "regularly occupied areas", or must we also include the square footage taken up by desks and storage as areas needing access to views?
1) As the full height of the partitions (including the translucent panels) does not exceed 5\'0", classifying these similar to systems furniture is acceptable. 2) The areas to be categorized as "regularly occupied" should include all spaces that an occupant would utilize in the course of their daily work. The calculation methodology provided in the LEED-NC v2.1 Reference Guide, page 306 - 308, states that the entire square footage of these spaces needs to be considered. Excluding the areas occupied by furniture, such as the desk surface areas in a cubicle, is not an acceptable approach. The layout of the desk surfaces could change with each new occupant, and as such, all areas of the cubicle must be applied to the calculations. The exclusion of storage areas is consistent with the credit requirements. Applicable internationally.