Section 2: Individual LEED Credit Reviews
LEED Credit SS-7.1:
The use of light-colored paving may also be a
viable approach in many projects. Most GSA sites
Heat Island Reduction
include more plaza and sidewalk area than drives or
surface parking. This means that the impervious
Non-Roof
paving in most GSA projects will tend to be
concrete and stone, as opposed to asphalt. In many
cases, standard concrete paving (without colorants)
Intent
will meet the credit-specified reflectance of 0.3.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) also
Reduce heat islands (thermal gradient differences
allows a weighted area calculation to be used for
between developed and undeveloped open areas)
the paving; i.e., it is possible to use a surface
to minimize the impact on microclimate and
material with a reflectance of less than 0.3 if it is
human and wildlife habitat.
used for more than 30 percent of the paved area.
Requirements
Some GSA projects may also earn the credit
through the use of shading. This will primarily
Provide shade (within 5 years) and/or use light
depend on the design of the sidewalks/plazas and
colored/high-albedo materials (reflectance of at
landscape features. The USGBC also allows the
least 0.3) and/or open grid pavement for at least
shading strategy to be combined with high-
30% of the site's non-roof impervious surfaces,
reflectance paving. For example, if only 15 percent
including parking lots, walkways, plazas, etc;
of the paved areas were in shade, but another 15
percent of the paved areas had high reflectance, the
OR
credit could be earned.
Place a minimum of 50% of parking spaces
underground or covered by structured parking;
Basis for Cost Assumption
OR
In the Courthouse models, all parking is provided
Use an open-grid pavement system (less than
below grade. The credit is earned without any cost
50% impervious) for a minimum of 50% of the
premium.
parking lot area.
The scope of the Office building modernization
(1 point)
does not include site work. It was generally
acknowledged, however, that many of GSA's
existing office buildings accommodate all or most
Cost Impact = 2
of their parking below grade or in structured
parking. The credit is therefore assumed to be
earned in half of the Office Building scenarios, at
1
2
3
4
5
no cost premium.
GSA
No
Low
Moderate
High
Mandate
premium,
premium
premium
premium
(no cost)
psble svgs
(<50K)
(50-150K)
(>150K)
Practical Applications
As the majority of GSA's projects are developed
on urban sites, only a limited number of parking
spaces are typically provided, and these are usually
accommodated below grade. Many GSA projects
are therefore expected to earn this credit by
meeting or exceeding the 50 percent underground
parking criteria.
GSA LEED COST STUDY
47
Previous Page
