We are seeking approval of a concept for an innovation point for low emission office systems furniture and seating. Our project is a 280,000 SF office building that is registered for certification under LEED-NC v2.1. A developer is building the base building core and shell and a single tenant will lease the building. The project is currently in the design phase, and it is our goal to achieve LEED-NC EQ credits 4.1 through 4.4. Since over 75% of the floor area of the project will be occupied by open office systems furniture, and emissions from these systems will have a significant impact on IAQ, we plan to specify a low emission furniture system that complies with the requirements of LEED-CI EQ cr 4.5 (Low Emitting Materials, Systems Furniture and Seating). We believe that this merits an innovation point because LEED-NC does not address emissions from furniture, and in our project these emissions will have a significant impact on IAQ. In order to demonstrate compliance, we are proposing to comply with the intent, requirements, and submittals of LEED-CI EQ cr 4.5. We are requesting that the approval of this innovation point not be contingent on our project achieving any of the points in LEED-NC EQ cr 4. We are requesting this condition because we believe that even without the attainment of LEED-NC EQ cr 4, our proposed innovation point will significantly enhance IAQ, and it is above and beyond the scope of the EQ points in LEED-NC. We are also requesting that the attainment of this innovation point not be contingent on the attainment of LEED-NC EQ cr 4, because we can not be certain that we will actually be able to attain any of the points in LEED-NC EQ cr 4 until the construction of the project has been completed.
The project is inquiring about submitting a Low-Emitting Furniture proposal for an Innovation & Design point. It is acceptable for an NC project to achieve an ID point for Low-Emitting Furniture. As indicated in CIR Ruling 1/21/03, "projects that include furniture in the scope of work are eligible to apply for an innovation credit based on LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) IEQ credit 4.5, Low-Emitting Materials Furniture." To ensure a successful credit submittal, be sure to comply with the established credit intent and requirements of LEED-CI EQc4.5. Credit achievement will be independent of LEED-NC EQ credit 4, Low-Emitting Materials. Applicable Internationally.