This question is in regard to a mixed use series of buildings planning to apply for certification as a LEED CS Campus project. The project is designed to be built containing no interior public common areas. The only common area air conditioned space will be the elevator mechanical room. The interior tenant spaces within the project will be built only to raw shell specifications with no electrical or mechanical fixtures or finishes, lighting or air conditioning. All interior lighting and HVAC equipment for specific tenant areas will be installed by the future tenants. Only exterior project lighting will be provided by the Developer. Therefore, the question is as follows: What is considered baseline for energy use by USGBC in a CS Campus building project, where the core and shell is delivered in a raw shell condition, with no interior lighting or HVAC to be installed by the Developer?
The applicant is requesting clarification regarding what is considered the baseline for energy use in a Core and Shell building where all interior lighting and HVAC systems will be installed by the tenant. Concerns relating to modeling for CS applicants are outlined in the LEED-CS Reference Guide under Core and Shell Modeling Guidelines and Core and Shell Concerns and Calculations. Interior lighting in the baseline building should be modeled using the Building Area method or the Space-by-Space method as defined in ASHRAE 90.1-2004, Table 9.5.1 or 9.6.1. The baseline building HVAC system should be based on Table G3.1.1.A and Table G3.1.1B in ASHRAE 90.1-2004. Where no heating or cooling system exists in the proposed building, or, the system will be installed by the tenant and is unknown, the system characteristics in the proposed building shall be identical to the system in the baseline building design according to ASHRAE 90.1-2004, Table G3.1 (10) and LEED-CS Reference guide. Table G3.1 (10) in ASHRAE also states that, if no proposed heating system exists, the baseline system determined in Table G3.1.1.A should be electric. In addition to HVAC systems and lighting, the project should also include equipment and process energy according to certain requirements outlined in the LEED-CS Reference Guide. It is important to point out that in the case of Core and Shell buildings, not only the baseline, but also the proposed building needs to follow a certain modeling protocol to meet Option 1- Whole Building Energy Simulation in accordance to LEED-CS. Since tenants install all or part of HVAC systems, lighting, equipment etc, and full design might not exist, certain stipulations need to be incorporated in the proposed building simulation as well. In addition, tenant spaces are treated separately to core and shell spaces in the outlined requirements in LEED-CS. Concerns relating to modeling for CS applicants are outlined in the LEED-CS Reference Guide under Core and Shell Modeling Guidelines and Core and Shell Concerns and Calculations. The applicant is recommended to study theses guidelines carefully since these guidelines should be followed in parallel to ASHRAE-90.1-2004, Appendix G. Applicable Internationally.