Our project has a city zoning requirement for artwork to be installed on our site. The artist that the owner has selected is creating sculptural artwork that incorporates computerized lighting that creates art with lighting. The artwork lighting is programmed to create patterns, colors and movements on site that are not related in any way to pedestrian security lighting or required site lighting. The artwork lighting is also motion controlled to create different patterns depending on how many pedestrians are present on site. Can this artwork lighting be excluded from the EA Credit 1 (Optimize Energy Performance) calculations?
The CIR is inquiring as to whether the energy use from the lighting for on-site artwork needs to be included in the EAc1 calculation. This energy use falls under the "process load" classification, and needs to be included in the energy model if it generates internal heat gains or interacts with other energy systems, as per the LEED-NC v2.1 Reference Guide. In this particular case, the CIR wording implies that the artwork is outside and thus the lighting should not contribute to HVAC equipment loads. Also the lighting is specifically intended for artistic effect and therefore can be excluded from the exterior site lighting requirements based on ASHRAE 90.1-1999 Section 9.3.2 Exception (b). Assuming there are no additional interactions with building energy systems, this energy usage can be excluded from the EAc1 calculations. Please note, this lighting would still need to comply with the requirements of Sustainable Sites Credit 8, if attempted.