Space planning, building envelope and orientation to breezes will impact the effectiveness of natural ventilation systems.

Although the CxA is not expected to deliver much during design, the presence of the CxA in the team meetings and drawings development is more integrated into the process. The team also gets to learn more about the commissioning activities and tailor the drawings based on what the CxA is looking for during document review.

The CxA’s main role is to provide third-party verification that the design is installed and operating as per construction documents. The CxA is not meant to fill the role of the MEP engineer, but rather to be a technical expert in the owner’s team. It is in the owner’s or client best interest to hire a CxA by design development and introduce the project goals, team and schedule.

Stormwater systems can range from bioswales to cisterns to green roof systems, and range greatly in cost and effectiveness depending on the application. Certain on-site stormwater treatment technologies can be costly but serve additional environmental purposes and may contribute to various other LEED credits related to open space and heat island effect. See ‘Related Credits.’ These strategies should be considered and designed for multiple purposes.

Porous pavement can be incorporated into many sites and climatic conditions. Proper design, installation, and maintenance is important. Work with an experienced contractor, and verify that porous paving will work with your site’s climate and soil conditions. For example, snowplowing, sanding, and salting can damage porous paving.

In urban areas and sites with little land, use a variety of features to achieve project goals. For example, green roofs and rainwater cisterns may be effective in these situations. Capturing rainwater for irrigation will reduce the amount of stormwater runoff leaving the site as well as outdoor potable water use. Reusing captured rainwater for toilet flushing will have similar effects, in addition to reducing potable water use indoors.

Projects ineligible for the building reuse credit can count the reused building area towards MRc2: Construction Waste Management for recycling or otherwise diverting waste, or MRc3: Materials Reuse for materials that are reused on-site in a different application (such as door used as a countertop).

All design methods must consider the soil type and infiltration rates to show that soils are capable of treating the appropriate amount of rainfall.

Stormwater storage and biofiltration can be incorporated into landscape features and can also include educational elements for occupant and community benefits.

The architect determines project eligibility for the building reuse credit based on pre-design assessment. A project is eligible if it is reusing an existing structure with no addition, or if the total gross square foot of the final project with the new addition would be less than six times the gross floor area of existing floor area.