We are requesting a ruling on the application of NCv2.2 to a partial building renovation and addition project.We currently have two projects that require clarification. The first is an 11,542 sf urban office building. Project scope includes renovation of the 5,771 sf second floor and a new rooftop addition of 576 sf, for a total of 6347 sf. We intend to use this area consistently across all credit calculations. The rooftop addition will house meeting space available for city and community groups to showcase sustainable building techniques. Major components of the project include installation of a geothermal heating system throughout the building, a new green roof on 69% of the site, envelope improvements including skylights for daylighting, energy efficient lighting, and photovoltaic electricity generation.The second project is a private school of 130,687 sf. It includes renovation of 17,000 sf and an 11,000 sf addition, total project area is 28,000 sf. Strategies include replacing the current boiler system with a geothermal system, enhanced natural ventilation, photovoltaic panels and a possible wind turbine for alternative energy. A living machine will provide graywater reuse for greenhouse plants. A green roof for the addition and renovation areas, rainwater capture, and bioswales will help to improve stormwater management.For both projects, the owners intend to bring the remainder of the buildings up to LEED standards in the future, as funds become available.We feel that the Administrative CIR dated 6.1.04 relates to our question, and clarifies that LEED-NC is applicable to a partial building renovation. Their emphasis appears to be on the project scope rather than the building. We also feel that the Administrative CIR dated 2.24.05 is related, as are numerous Site Selection CIRs which reinforce the definition of project scope. These include CIRs dated 5.16.03, 2.6.03, and 8.2.01.We have received varying answers from LEED Customer Service in our attempts to clarify this question.In the case of the school our client has implemented a major capital campaign for a LEED-NC project based on the direction we received from USGBC staff. In contrast, more recent conversations with staff indicated that we were to use LEED-CI for partial building renovations.In summary, we feel that LEED-NC is the best product for this project type for the following reasons:- LEED-NC acknowledges the extensive site, building envelope, and building systems emphasis of the projects, while LEED-CI does not.- Previous rulings indicate that LEED-NC has been used on numerous occasions for this project type, suggesting that applications should be based on the project scope, rather than the building.- The projects can achieve a higher rating under LEED-NC than LEED-CI. For the office project, in Site Selection alone, we anticipated 11 NC points related to the green roof, but can only reach 5 in CI due to the 3 point maximum for SS Options 1A through 1L.- Since LEED for Interiors doesn\'t fit the projects, our alternative would be applying LEED-NC to just the additions. This would substantially reduce the overall LEED certifiable area, thereby reducing the environmental benefits by a considerable extent.We work diligently with our clients to improve the environmental performance of our buildings based on their available funds, and hope that you will support our request to certify projects inclusive of renovations, not just additions, under LEED-NC.
The applicant is requesting a ruling on whether or not LEED-NC applies to a partial building renovation project and an addition project.LEED for New Construction is intended to be used as a whole-building Rating System. All NC applications should include data for the entire building regardless of the scope of work. The one exception to this case is an addition. Additions may be certified independently, provided that the project title clearly identifies the project as an addition.Prior to the release of LEED for Commercial Interiors in 2004, many partial building projects were given the guidance to pursue NC because an appropriate Rating System did not exist.For your urban office building and school project, you have the following options:1. LEED-NC (entire building) - To certify the entire building as NC, you would have to include data from the entire building in your application. For example, if pursuing EQc8, you would have to include the unrenovated spaces in your calculations.2. LEED-NC (addition only) - To certify the addition as NC, you would include only data from the addition in your application. Therefore, the renovated and unrenovated spaces of the existing building would not be included and would not be certified.3. LEED-CI - You can pursue CI for any portion of the building that can be clearly defined as an independent tenant space. Note: this ruling does not apply to Core and Shell projects. Applicable Internationally.