Our firm pursued the Assessment and Planning for Resilience pilot credit for a project in Suffolk, Virginia, to better understand and address local risks like flooding, hurricanes, and extreme heat. The credit gave us a structured way to think through how climate and hazard vulnerabilities could impact the building, site access, and surrounding infrastructure over time.
What made the process most effective was grounding our assessment in solid, local data—using FEMA maps, hazard mitigation plans, and climate projections specific to the region. We also found that involving a broader team, including civil engineers and planners, helped surface site-specific vulnerabilities and practical design solutions. In Suffolk’s case, that meant paying close attention to drainage, access roads, and the reliability of utilities during severe weather events.
LEED isn’t just looking for a risk list—it expects a clear explanation of how design decisions respond to those risks. Framing our submission as a concise narrative helped communicate that connection clearly. Overall, the credit helped us shape more resilient, responsive design strategies that add long-term value to both the project and the surrounding community.
