This credit encourages flexible and adaptable design strategies to extend the life of your project. Increasing building flexibility is a great way to mitigate waste and the need for new resources.

Teams should review the design and space-planning strategies offered by this credit and consider how each would impact the programming and design of the current project, as well as support potential future needs at the facility.

What’s New in LEED v4

• This credit no longer includes minimum requirements for interstitial space.

This credit is typically easier to achieve in open-plan layouts, which allow for multiple view angles, or in floor plans where closed rooms are positioned toward the center of the floor plate and do not block views.

This credit is typically easier to achieve in open-plan layouts, which allow for multiple view angles, or in floor plans where closed rooms do not block views.

If the first three view types don't seem achievable for your project, you might consider taking a closer look at the “view factor” calculation for the fourth view type, which is based on window height and distance to workstation. It's more challenging to document, but can be more flexible as well.

The credit now offers a broader approach to turning buildings into utility resources. The demand response (DR) compliance paths that were available under v4 have been retained. But there is a new option for load flexibility and management strategies, which is about “load shaping” relative to grid constraints. Teams pursuing this new option will have to become aware of what the grid is doing and encourage projects to use storage or demand response to adjust to those grid conditions.

Projects located in markets with an existing demand response (DR) program can achieve the maximum points offered by this credit. However, even buildings that can’t currently participate in a DR program can still earn a point for providing infrastructure that will allow the building to take advantage of a future DR program.

Implementing an IAQ plan during construction benefits everyone who works on the site, not just the eventual occupants of the building.

Earning this credit can be fairly easy, but it does require careful coordination and buy-in from all the subcontractors and field personnel involved in the project. It’s important to remember that IAQ management is not a one-time compliance event that can be checked off a list—it must be an ongoing effort for the duration of the construction process. 

Implementing an IAQ plan during construction benefits everyone who works on the site, not just the eventual occupants of the building.

Earning this credit can be fairly easy, but it does require careful coordination and buy-in from all the subcontractors and field personnel involved in the project. It’s important to remember that IAQ management is not a one-time compliance event that can be checked off a list—it must be an ongoing effort for the duration of the construction process. 

The idea behind this credit is to ensure good indoor air quality (IAQ) for building users. The flush-out of indoor air required under Option 1 is frequently pursued by projects seeking a certain and predictable path. Performing testing under Option 2 leaves open the possibility that despite all other efforts to provide and protect air quality, the building could fail the tests, putting the credit in jeopardy.

The idea behind this credit is to ensure good indoor air quality (IAQ) for building users. The flush-out of indoor air required under Option 1 is frequently pursued by projects seeking a certain and predictable path. Performing testing under Option 2 leaves open the possibility that despite all other efforts to provide and protect air quality, the building could fail the tests, putting the credit in jeopardy. 

This prerequisite encourages quality acoustical design, which helps create indoor environments conducive to teaching and learning. However, the credit requirements can be difficult and expensive to achieve. Consider enlisting the expertise of an acoustical consultant to ensure your project meets the requirements for all applicable spaces.