Projects that pursue this credit typically have one of the strategies in place before engaging in the LEED certification process. Due to the high upfront costs of converting hardscape to one of the compliant options, most existing buildings do not attempt

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Projects that pursue this credit typically have one of the strategies in place before engaging in the LEED certification process. Due to the high upfront costs of converting hardscape to one of the compliant options, most existing buildings do not attempt hardscape alterations to earn this credit.

Assess your project site to determine if any of the credit compliance options are feasible. The four options are: Install light-colored, high solar reflectance index (SRI) hardscapes—with SRI greater than 29 Shade hardscapes with architectural device

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Assess your project site to determine if any of the credit compliance options are feasible. The four options are: 

Install light-colored, high solar reflectance index (SRI) hardscapes—with SRI of at least 29
Shade hardscapes with architectural devices, structures, or trees
Use open-grid paving
Locate 50% or more of the parking area under cover
Shade with solar panels.

Another way of looking at this is that if seated occupants must tilt their heads up from horizontal to see outside, their spaces do not meet the credit's view criteria.

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Another way of looking at this is that if seated occupants must tilt their heads up from horizontal to see outside, their spaces do not meet the credit's view criteria.

Some spaces like theaters or a patient exam room may not be appropriate for views. In such cases, your team may exclude a space and include justification for doing so with the credit documentation. The merit of excluding such spaces is reviewed and approv

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Some spaces like theaters or a patient exam room may not be appropriate for views. In such cases, your team may exclude a space and include justification for doing so with the credit documentation. The merit of excluding such spaces is reviewed and approved on a case by case basis.

Your project team must estimate, for all multi-occupant spaces and open office areas with individual work spaces, the actual square footage that has a direct line of sight. This is generally impractical if electronic floor plans are not available. The mor

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Your project team must estimate, for all multi-occupant spaces and open office areas with individual work spaces, the actual square footage that has a direct line of sight. This is generally impractical if electronic floor plans are not available. The more practical option of simply counting workstations with views that was available in previous versions of LEED for Existing Buildings is no longer acceptable.

The entire floor area of individual private offices may be counted as compliant if at least 75% of the floor area has a direct line of sight to the outdoors. Individual workstations in open office areas cannot be assessed in this manner and actual complia

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The entire floor area of individual private offices may be counted as compliant if at least 75% of the floor area has a direct line of sight to the outdoors. Individual workstations in open office areas cannot be assessed in this manner and actual compliant areas must be estimated.

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