If 50% of your project’s parking is underground or under the building, there is no parking roof requiring any SRI value. The building roof would be calculated according to SSc7.2 requirements even though the building covers parking spaces.
Consider locating parking underground, freeing up more site area for other uses, such as larger building footprints, open space, and landscaping.
Determine the number of parking spaces needed for your project. Fifty percent or more of those need to be under cover—underground, under deck, under roof, or under the building. Parking roofs must have an SRI value of at least 29, or be vegetated, or be covered by architectural canopies or PV arrays (following the options listed above).
Option 2: Cover 50% of the Site Parking
Open grid paving is the most beneficial when it is applied on top of permeable soil that promotes infiltration. Soils with high clay content, or land with shallow bedrock may prevent water infiltration thus making open grid paving less functional.
Open-grid paving can be just as durable as other types of paving, but it may require additional maintenance to ensure that open cells do not become clogged.
The open-grid paving itself should be at least 50% pervious and contribute to 50% of your project's hardscape areas.
Open-grid paving is different from porous paving—Open grid paving is laid out in a pattern that exposes areas of the ground allowing vegetation to grow in the open cells. Porous paving is continuous paving that allows water to penetrate it minimizing runoff. Porous paving alone without an open grid will not help you earn the credit, as you need the vegetation and its associated evapotranspiration help mitigate the heat island effect. Porous paving can qualify as a light colored material, however, if it has an SRI of 29 or higher.
Using open-grid paving allows water to infiltrate the ground, which could also help your project team achieve the stormwater management credits SSc6.1 and SSc6.2.
Explore using 50% pervious, open-grid paving.