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Time to get creative
This credit is your project’s opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the green building industry and to let your team contribute creative approaches to the field of sustainable design. It’s also a great way for your project to achieve up to five additional points.
Step-by-step credit help
Got the gist of the LEED credit but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Members get:
- Checklists covering all the key action steps you'll need to earn the credit.
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- Cost tips to assess what a credit will actually cost, and how to make it affordable.
- Ideas for going beyond LEED with best practices.
- All checklists organized by project phase.
- On-the-fly suggestions on useful items from the Documentation Toolkit, Resources, and Credit Language.
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Credit language straight from USGBC
Need to check up on the exact LEED credit language from the LEED Rating System on the fly? LEEDuser includes the verbatim language. Members get:
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- On the jobsite without your bulky LEED Reference Guide? Check up on the credit language details here.
- Credit language content is used by permission of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Your credit-by-credit reference library
Why waste time chasing down referenced standards and supporting resources when LEEDuser links you directly to the ones you need? LEEDuser has gathered all the best tools out there and organized them by credit for easy reference. Members get links to:
- Organizations that can give information or help on a credit.
- Standards or studies that are key reference points for credits and prerequisites.
- Articles that help explain important topics.
- Key documents or references for credit inputs.
- Software tools you can use to run calculations or simulations.
Documentation Toolkit
In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:
- Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
- Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
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- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.
176 Comments
How about using roofing material that ”eats” NOx?
Could I apply for an ID credit for using a roofing material, (on areas where a green roof is not possible), that has titanium dioxide that neutralizes nitrogen oxides (NOx)? 200 m2 of the roofing material neutralizes about 10,000 kilometers of car driving per year, regarding NOx. The material has lifelong qualities, does not deteriorate, and only needs UV-light to react. If not, is there anything I could do to make the idea eligible for ID credit? Project is located near highway and the roof could certainly do some good!
Hi Maria!
We were considering the use of TiO coating over our facade as well. At the end it turned out to be not as efficient as our investor expected (cleaner facade does not need cleaning that often... less cleaning expenses). Is your roof flat or sloped? Problem of this material is that it needs to be clean (no dust cover) to be efficient. So in my opinion, flat roofs are not very good for this installation.
I didn't go through all the pilot credits but I think that you will need to proof that it is "quantifiable". As you wrote 200m2 equals 10,000 VMTVehicle Miles Traveled (VMT): The number of miles traveled by motor vehicles in a specified period of time, such as a day or a year, by a number of motorists in absolute or per capita terms./year. This could actually be related to number of parking spaces installed in your project.
NOx emissions offset approach: It is related to pollutants emitted form vehicles or "external VOC" (in language of LEED :-) ) if you like. Assuming you have a number of preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. spaces for FE/LE vehicles that you could subtract from total number of parking spaces and some percenage of emissions from the rest you can offset with TiO. But you need to determine total VMT (vehicle miles travelled) to establish area covered with TiO material. Is there a study saying how many miles per year does non-LE/FE vehicle travel?
For example: If a car travels 10,000 km/year than you need to cover 200m2 with TiO. If you would have 100 parking spaces in your project, than you could subtract 5 for LE/FE and/or install a 1000m2 (5x200m2) of TiO material...
Does anyone else think this might be a good approach to using TiO materials?
Bottle filling stations
Is there an ID credit or other credit that can be acheived by providing bottle filling stations in the project? It seems that we could prove the savings of recycling or waste vs. reuse of personal bottles that could be provided at time of hire. Thanks for your time.
Generally a single product does not earn and ID credit. The bottle stations would need to be a part of a larger program. Have you looked through the older ID credit library for examples?
Pilot Credit 42: Integrated Process
My project had been planning on registering for Pilot Credit 42: Integrated Process, but it appears that this is pilot credit is no longer an option. Has anyone had experience with a similar situation? We would like to use the training that we have conducted to help earn an ID credit.
Michael, PC42 is indeed closed to new registrations. I don't see a way around that currently, other than looking for other pilot credits or innovative approaches.
What is the training you conducted?
My project had the same thing happen to it. We planned on using Pilot Credit 42, but had it pulled before we could register for it. The training session was still helpful, but it is disapointing we can't get credit for it now.
Does anyone have any experience trying to use an expired Pilot Credit as an ID credit? Or is it pretty much assumed that once a Pilot Credit is closed, no matter how good the idea, a project can't pursue it.
Thanks!
ID credit for Organic Landscape Management
Help! Has someone been successful in pursuing the Organic Landscape Management of ID credit. I searched on the CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide's but couldn't find anything. Can someone direct me to where I can find the submittal and requirements?
Thank you!!!
Jen, I'm not aware of an ID credit with exactly that name, but this sounds similar to the intent behind the LEED for Existing Buildings site credit on landscape management. There is a lot of precedent for applying for an EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. credit like that as an NC project for your ID point.
See LEEDuser's page on SSc3 for information on the submittal, requirements, and the LEED Online form to fill out.
Green Cleaning ID Credit
Has anyone attempted Green cleaning for ID Credit. If yes where can i find the requirements and documentation requirements.
Sheela, it is a common credit to attempt. Most people use the LEED-EBOM credit requirements and forms as guidance. LEEDuser has content for those forms that you can use.
What can we claim?
Hi all,
We have just received our Construction Prelim results and comments. The Assessors don't like our innovation claims at all!!
We claimed: a carbon neutral building - meaning that we have assessed the entire life cycle of the building to demonstrate that we are CO2Carbon dioxide neutral. The CO2 embodied in the materials, used in the construction and generated in the operation of the building is 100% offset by the renewable energy generated on the building over its life.
The Assessor's have come back with "please demonstrate that a minimum of 5% of the building materials content are Climate Neutral Products".
???
We also claimed because the building is not connected to mains water, and is completely self-sufficient. No go there either.
Do any of these look like good options:
- 95% of the building's structure has been designed to be easily dismantled at the end of it's life for reuse/recycling. A disassembly plan is included.
- the building is fully sub-metered for water, to enable discrete analysis and monitoring of all uses.
- A building user's guide has been provided for the occupants, to ensure that the building functions optimally, as intended by the design.
Thoughts?
Alternatively, we can just prepare a Green Housekeeping plan...but this seems like a soft solution, considering all the work that went into this project.
The 95% disassembly could be a good option. Is the issue with the first strategy that the building did not include any climate neutral products?
What was the reviewer's rational for denying the no water usage option?
The water usage option was denied based on the fact that this is covered in the WEc1-c3 credits. An exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. ID point is already claimed and has been awarded for WEc3.
I think the issue with the carbon Neutral building is the misinterpretation of the concept. The building itself is the carbon neutral product.
I should also point out that we are a project in Australia, hence all on the project team are newcomers to LEED. The 'innovation' concept in our rating tool (Green Star) is very different. Our current LEED score is 94, with 11 points pending (which we hope to get!).
Clare, I think GBCI has a point, in that renewable energy is already covered by EAc2, so you are really simply getting excess mileage out of EAc2, not doing something different for IDc1. I think the fact of designing the whole building for disassembly is the true innovation here, and I would refocus around that.
Can someone help me identify credit language or information for the "5% building materials content are climate neutral products" ID credit that Clare mentioned above? I have looked through the USGBC and LEEDUser sites without any luck. Our project is registered as CI 2009, is it only a NC ID credit? Thanks!
Hi Becky,
Clare was attempting an innovation credit for a climate neutral building, which the reviewer requested documentation of 5% climate neutral products. This is not a standard credit and thus does not have credit language to my knowledge.
We were referred to LEED Interpretation 1541, which talks about climate neutral products and is a CI credit (though pre 2009). I'm not sure where the 5% came from though I have seen it somewhere - perhaps in a Materials credit?
Thank you Clare! This is exactly what I was looking for!
EBOM 2009 SSc4: Alternative Commuting Transportation
Hi Guys.
I'm thinking about using the EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. 2009 SSc4: Alternative Commuting Transportation for an ID credit for a 2009 NC assessment- any thoughts?
My main query is when to do the surveying, as the building would need to be occupied (i.e. assume one of the last credit issues to be completed) and whether this is likely to be acceptable for an ID credit.
Many thanks!
Kitty, I am doubtful that this approach would work, because alternative transportation is already covered in LEED-NC under SSc4.1 through 4.4.
Points for Provision of "Sun Pipes" Under innovation
I am working on a factory project at Jakarta, Indonesia. They are using Sun Pipes to illuminate the work spaces in the office area(at level 2). The sunlight is captured from the roof and duct-ed to work spaces for the use of day light. Provision of Photo sensors have also been designed to make sure that the artificial lighting is switched on when there is no enough luxMeasurement of lumens per square meter. level that is required for work. Could i score 1 point under innovation for the provision "Sun Pipes"?
Unfortunately, this is not likely to earn an innovation point since daylighting strategies can contribute to EAc1, Optimize Energy Performance. These savings should be shown in the energy model.
Educational program
We want to go for the two Green Education strategies, signage program and education.
Is it enough to educate the staff on a regular basis as a goal for the educational program? Or do we also have to educate the patients since it is a hospital?
Thanks /Veronika
Hey Veronica!
We also want to pursue this strategies. We believe this works as approved during pre-certification of our project.
Great, thanks. So you also have a hospital and will not educate the patients?
At our project we hope that the signage program will be enough to address education for patients.
We have a commercial office building, so it is a bit different, but perhaps it should work in both cases. See "Educational Programs" under Bird's View of this credit:
Educational programs must consist of at least two separate components, including a kiosk, a website, a case study, a lecture series, signage, etc.
I believe the credit is to educate all building users including patients and their families. One of our projects is going to incorporate signage and electronic signage through banners on the patient's TV. They also have produced a series of videos that are available to order via the TV and are downloadable from their website. This maybe a little overboard but it fits will their total needs. The banner program came about because they did not want a lot of signs cluttering up the patient room. We felt that the sign detract from the soothing environment in the room.
That is really intresting, might be possible for our hospital, thanks for the inspiration.
Does anyone know if
Does anyone know if purchasing 100% ENERGY STAR Equipment & Appliances (per CI EAc1.4) 'Exemplary PerformanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements.' is required to earn an Innovation credit in the NC rating system, or would 70% (1 CI pt) be sufficient? I understand that borrowing credits from other rating systems is allowed but I wanted to check this threshold especially since it has been modified a bit after 2009 launched. Thanks
John - did you ever get an answer to your question? I'm running into a similar issue. Any help would be great!
John and Brian, I would assume that the 1 point threshold woudl be sufficient. I don't think it's typical to require a high threshold for ID credits in this kind of situation. That said, there are not necessarily rules for this kind of thing that are completely consistent. Anyone have experience?
I have seen projects earn EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. credits on NC projects by just earning the point, not the exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. point. My understanding is that this works because you are pursuing it as an innovation credit (in a different rating system) and not as a exemplary performance credit.
First LEED project in a Country
Is it possible to earn an ID if you are the first LEED registered project in a country?
Ray, I very much doubt it. You would have to demonstrate some environmental benefit, which would presumably be from education. In that case you should go for an education ID credit, which has well-established and more comprehensive rules.
ID Credit for 100% Outside air?
Has anyone tried pursuing an ID credit for using 100% outside air in the building's HVAC systems?
It has been a number of years (NC v2.1 actually), but I was told by the USGBC then that 100% outside air supplied through units, outside the context of natural ventilation, works against efficiency and optimal IEQ controls and so was NOT an ID. Things may hve changed since, but think about your project through those two lenses and perhaps you will find the best direction - every project is different after all.
Green Advantage Innovation Credit for 2009 BD&C & NC v2.2
Projects staffed with 30% or more of key personnel certified through Green Advantage are now eligible for award of 1 Innovation point. Posted under Inquiry # 5413 - IDc1, personnel categories include managers, superintendents, foremen, quality control, and proj. engineers involved in day-to-day activities. Designed to improve on-site collaboration and to increase the likelihood of achieving desired environmental and energy efficiency results, Green Advantage credentials now can contribute to overall point tallies. For Discussion - would you be more likely to hire personnel that have demonstrated knowledge of today's green building terminology, concepts and products and also, have you incorporated the Green Advantage Innovation Credit into your credit strategy?
Warm mix asphalt
Has anyone had luck going after an ID credit for using warm mix asphalt?
What is the environmental angle?
By reducing the mix temperature, energy use and the associated GHG are reduced as well.
Generally, use of a single "technology" is not sufficient to earn an ID credit. If you had a comprehensive plan for reducing GHG emissions during construction, I think that would have a much better chance.
Bio-Based Materials Credit
NAVFAC is 'requiring' that projects achieve an ID credit for Bio-based materials. Per the USDA (the referenced standards), this simply means using from a list of material types that amount to either wood-based or would otherwise show up in the rapidly renewableTerm describing a natural material that is grown and harvested on a relatively short-rotation cycle (defined by the LEED rating system to be ten years or less). materials credit. Does anyone have a sense of what sort of verification standard for compliance that the USGBC might accept as an ID credit? Even better, can anyone share a successful effort in achieving a credit like this - if one even exists?
Robert, I am not familiar with the NAVFAC requirements, but... LEED doesn't award ID credits for topics that are already covered by an existing LEED credit, except through the Exemplary PerformanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. path. You would need to earn the rapidly renewableTerm describing a natural material that is grown and harvested on a relatively short-rotation cycle (defined by the LEED rating system to be ten years or less). credit (MRc6), and you can earn IDc1 for doubling the MRc6 threshold. The MRc6 requirements are more restrictive in some cases than the USDA biobasedGenerally, classification of products and materials derived from plant and animal sources as opposed to minerals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a program to promote the use of emerging biobased products that defines them more narrowly, to exclude products that already have established markets, such as food, animal feed, and lumber. materials, however.
You have identified my big problem with what they are suggesting. If is was meant to simply be exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements., wouldn't they have just listed that as a requirement rather than showing a completely new credit. Because it is in black and white in their written guidelines, I have to think that they have something in mind or have had a past team succesfully submit something. NAVFAC doesn't seem to know why themselves, so I am hoping that someone in LEEDuser might actually have one of these potential past successful submission.
Robert, you might also post this question to the MRc6 forum.
Removing Parking in a Major Renovation Project
I am working on a major renovation project in which the client has agreed to remove 25% of the existing parking spaces and replace the asphalt with native meadows. I think that removing parking is pretty innovative, but I am not sure if GBCI would consider this worthy of an ID credit. Thoughts?
Shannon,
While this is indeed admirable, I do not think you would get innovation for it because the strategy could contribute to earning a number of credits including SS 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, and 7.1. You may look to see if you could earn an ID for exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. for SS 5.1 (75% of remaining site restored or preserved / 30% of total site) or SS 5.2 (2x the amount of land required to be open space.
AASHE STARS / Climate Action Plan - Master Site Innovation
Any thoughts if an AASHE STARS rating for a college campus will earn you a Master Site Innovation credit?
What about being an ACUPCC signatory and having a Climate Action Plan?
These would be two easy Master Site credits for campuses who have completed both. Considering the effort to do these and the overall campus impacts, I think they are worthy of Master Site innovation....
ID Credit for Renewable Energy
We are interested in pursuing an ID credit for our new building's onsite renewable energy, namely our PV system. While we are pursuing the EA credit for renewable energy, we have actually created a "mini-lab" with three different types of solar arrays (including bi-facial and thin film) tied together with a single inverter. We are also showcasing a product that facilitates the unique integration of the three different PV technologies into the same system through the single inverter. The product includes power electronics that operate each PV panel string in parallel, as opposed to in series, such that no single panel, due to shading or individual performance, limits the power output of the entire string. This concept would not normally be designed into a traditional PV system solution, but would provide a viable higher-performing PV power system to offset building electric load. Array performance can also be remotely monitored and alerts sent when system performance significantly changes. Finally, all of the companies providing these technologies were deliberately selected to be local to our area to support local economic development efforts. I don't see precedent for this sort of approach in the ID credit catalog- would this be a viable ID credit?
Dave, I think there is potential here. But I am not sure it would work, for a couple reasons:
– Not clear what the environmental benefit is, beyond what is already covered by EAc2. It sounds from your description like you have simply done a particularly thoughtful job around earning EAc2. Earning an existing credit innoatively is not a path to an innovation credit.
– The local angle for mechanical systems isn't supported by LEED.
– Not clear what you mean by a "mini-lab"—is there actual testing going on that will create environmental benefit?
Guest expert here Marcus Sheffer put it well: with ID credits, think quantifiable, verifiable, replicatable and documentable. I would add "comprehensive."
Multiple Innovation Points for Green Cleaning
Our Team is working on a project under NC 2009. In the past we have been awarded an innovation point for a green housekeeping program. But I am wondering, using Path 1 to borrow credits from another rating systems, could we get more than one innovation point for meeting the requirement of more than one of the EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. 2009 Green Cleaning points. As an example, if we are able to show compliance with EBOM IEQ Credit 3.1 - High Performance Cleaning Program, IEQ Credit 3.3 - Purchase of Sustainable Cleaning Products and Materials and IEQ Credit 3.4 - Sustainable Cleaning Equipment could we get 3 innovation points for one project under NC 2009?
Jennifer, this is a great question, and I have never been clear on it. I think there is an excellent case for earning multiple points, and it should be allowed, but I haven't heard that for sure from a project that experienced this. I would encourage you to proceed and if you get some kind of official guidance on this, please let us know!
Interesting question. There is a LEED Interpretation dated 6/30/2003 with the following note added: "Projects using LEED 2009 rating systems should reference LEED 2009 Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance IEQp3: Green Cleaning Policy when attempting green cleaning as an innovation strategy."
Since IEQc3.3 and IEQc3.4 are both referenced as requirements by IEQp3, my guess would be a project cannot acheive multiple ID points here.
But do let us know if you try it, and what you find out!
Exemplary Performance documentation
After filling out a credit form online, the summary section has a 'Y' after exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. points documented line. Do I still have to check the box saying: "The project team reserves one point in the Innovation in Design credit category for exemplary performance in EAc2." and fill out a ID credit form to get that point?
Thanks!
Ned, I do think you need to proceed as you described. The ID form is pretty short and it shouldn't be a hassle to fill out.
Is it possible to gain an ID credit by using Post Tensioning?
I am participating in a Value Engineering (VE) exercise for a potential LEED project that is in its final stage of design. Since the current project is designed as ‘concrete reinforced (CR)’, one of the const efficient and sustainability measures that our team intends to use is ‘post tensioning (PT)’ (PT reduces surface, material use, operational costs etc.)’ However, while PT can be considered in terms of sustainability, the PT Institute notes that PT does not explicitly contribute to LEED rating due to the nature of the rating system to “overlook structural efficiency” ...
Still, considering sustainability features of PT, does anyone know whether the PT approach can be filed as an innovation in design? Does it make sense to do so?
Amar, I would say offhand that you could have a good argument for doing so. Check the innovation credit catalogue (see Resources above) to see if anything at all like this has been approved. Think about how it can be documented—keep in mind you need to pretty much write a LEED credit, so think in those terms. See the other advice on this page for people attempting novel ID credits.
LEED Healthcare EQc2 - Acoustic Environment
We are working on a small clinic, and were considering pursuing EQc2, Acoustic Environment from LEED HC as an innovation credit.
We found that the project will be required to achieve an STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) rating of 50 to meet the credit requirements. However, we also found that we could only meet a STC rating of 50 through the use of a proprietary assembly, which we cannot use on federally funded projects. Instead, through the use of non-proprietary assemblies, which we can use on federal projects, we can only meet a STC rating of 49, unless we add an additional layer of gyp board to make "generic" assemblies compliant. Not only does this add significant costs to the project, but it also increases the amount of material, waste and labor generated in the building's construction - all for very little additional acoustic value. This doesn't seem to be the best approach by LEED for the credit, considering projects are using BMPBest Management Practice's to meet the credit's intent (and are really at an almost equivalent acoustic rating), but are limited as to whether the assembly used is propietary or non-propietary.
Does anyone have any insight as to why this might be the case? Would LEED be open to us pursing this as an innovation credit, considering we really are meeting the credit's intent?
Hi Matthew:
This sounds like a good question to be asked to LEED directly.
I really don't know how concerned they would be with an STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) 49 vs STC 50 assembly in this situation with all of the other factors you described.
Personally, it sounds like there would be a good trade-off between ever-so-slightly increased acoustic performance and more sustainable/cost-effective construction. Or you cold find that they are, in fact, wanting a minimum STC 50 assembly. I don't know what the response would be.
Renovation versus Demolition
After much research and discussion it was decided to renovate an extremely decrepit farmhouse, portions of which date back to the 18th century. The renovation will serve as a visitor center with staff offices for a land based conservation non-profit. Does anyone have experience in filing for an ID credit for a similar undertaking?
Hi Sara, what would you propose for an ID credit?
If it's focused on building reuse, this could be uphill sledding since there are existing MR credits (MRc1, MRc2) that reward building reuse.
Admittedly razing and rebuilding would have probably been easier and maybe even more cost efficient. But would it have been more energy efficient? And from the viewpoint of an organization which values preservation and sustainability it was far more effective to respect the historical perspective as well as the embodied energy1. Embodied energy is the energy used during the entire life cycle of a product, including its manufacture, transportation, and disposal, as well as the inherent energy captured within the product itself. 2. The energy expended in the process of creating a product, often including the fuel value of its constituent parts as well as transportation to its point of use.. Renovating to highly energy efficient levels but still retaining many of the original windows! To quote Carl Elefante "the greenest building is the one already built".
Sara, I totally agree—I wrote an extensive article on sustainable preservation, with that same quote in the first sentence.
Preservationists have been complaining for years about LEED, and wanting more recogntion for saving buildings. And LEED 2012 has some stuff they should like.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but for LEED 2009, you will have to work hard to earn an ID credit for preservationist work that LEED doesn't already considered covered in the MR section. I don't know of a successful strategy in this area that has been done, but I would love to hear your ideas, or hear from any other LEED users who have done it.
ID Kiosk
If our project puts a Kiosk in the lobby showing a video of all the sustianable attributes of our project in addition to placing signs through out the building, would that count as two ID credits or 1?
One—those would both be parts of an educational program.
Just a note - as is mentioned in the body of the credit description above ("Educational Program"), the requirement for LEED is to have two distinct components, of which signage/kiosks at the building is only one - the intent is that both people at the building (seeing signs and kiosks) as well as others - seeing a case study, taking a tour -- will get this educational content.
Reducing Building Floor Space
I am involved with a project in which the design team would like to select compact storage bins. This strategy will greatly reduce the size of the building compared to an identical building with "regular storage bins".
Will this achieve an ID credit??
thanks for any input.
David, what kind of building is this? From the sounds of it, are the storage bins quite central to the building type and design?
I think the challenge here is going to be demonstrating through with credible analysis that this building type has a certain baseline, and that the "design case" uses a much smaller baseline through truly innovative process. If all buildings of this type are now using this kind of bin, I don't think this would work.
Even so, I'm not sure it would work, but I would give it a shot.
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