Our project scope is unique in that the building owner will also be the primary tenant of building and is currently seeking certification under LEED Core & Shell for the overall base building tower, while simultaneously pursuing LEED for Commercial Interiors for the one-half portion within the building they will occupy. In this scenario it is unclear exactly how to address certain credit requirements for a Commercial Interiors project when the space will be located within a Core & Shell building concurrently pursuing the same related credits. In an effort to provide the appropriate number of bike racks and changing rooms for both the CS and CI credit requirements, it is unclear how to avoid counting our clients known occupancy twice, thereby inflating the overall number of racks and changing rooms needed. As well, the credit calculation methodology differs among the two rating systems. For the LEED CS credit requirements we have calculated the required number of bike racks/changing facilities for the entire building, which includes the LEED CI project space. Next, calculations for LEED CI are then factored, based on 5% of occupancy. However we disagree with this number since the known occupancy of the LEED CI project has already been included in the LEED CS calculation and therefore to a certain extent (3.5%) have already been accounted for. As a reasonable alternative we suggest the CI calculation methodology for bike storage be revised for this project to aptly address the 5% requirement. In other words, calculate an additional 1.5% based on occupancy. In addition, CI calculates showers based on number of bikers (1 per 8) whereas CS calculates showers based on 0.5% of FTE. Since showers have already been included for the CS calculation (which was based on total occupancy of the building) then the CI occupants have already been accommodated for changing facilities at 0.5%. Accordingly, in this scenario the addition of changing facilities would not be necessary. With this, please confirm that both (CS and CI) projects will be able to earn the credit.
The approach described for determining the number of bicycle storage and shower facilities for both the CS and CI projects appears reasonable. For determining bicycle storage, 3.5% of the FTE is accounted for under CS and an additional 1.5% has been added to allow for the requirement of 5% of building occupants under CI. For determining the number of showers, the CS calculation has been used which takes into account the FTE of the CI space. Please ensure that a consistent FTE is used across all the LEED credits and that it takes into account the whole base building. FTE should be determined by using the CS guidelines for the general office and retail space for the undeveloped portion of the building in addition to the known FTE of the CI space. Applicable Internationally.