Building assemblies. LEED credits to Optimize
Energy Performance can influence a project's
wall and roof construction assemblies (to
minimize heat transfer and air
infiltration/exfiltration), as well as a project's
glazing selections. In addition, when
mechanical humidification is provided to
achieve the LEED Thermal Comfort credit,
the building envelope must be designed to
avoid condensation within the assemblies. In
the Courthouse example, the use of an
underfloor air distribution system (which
contributes to the Ventilation Effectiveness
and Controllability of Systems credits) can
also influence construction assemblies, as the
Figure 2-14. Green Roof of National Oceanic and
underfloor plenum must be designed to be
Atmospheric Administration, Suitland, Maryland.
airtight.
Vegetated, or green, roofs can contribute to the reduction of
heat islands (LEED Sustainable Site Credit 7.2: Heat Island
Mechanical systems. In the Courthouse example,
Reduction Roof) as well as the reduction of stormwater
the energy efficiency goals, underfloor air
runoff (LEED Sustainable Site Credit 6.1: Stormwater
delivery system, and dedicated ventilation
Management Rate and Quantity)
system all significantly influence the project
Architect: Morphosis (Rendering: Morphosis)
approach to HVAC design.
Example
Application to GSA Projects
Table 2-7b summarizes the "Synergistic" credit
A number of other major design decisions can be
options identified for both the "Low-Cost" and
impacted by LEED credit criteria, depending on
"High-Cost" Gold-rated Courthouse models of the
the specific project and LEED credits under
GSA LEED Cost Study. As with the "High Design
consideration. However, as indicated by the
Impact" credits, the synergistic credits were
examples in the GSA LEED Cost Study, the "High
identified at various cost impact levels, ranging
Design Impact" credits in a GSA project will
from no cost to high. As the table also indicates,
typically be limited to a manageable group. It is
credit synergies are not limited to only High
important for design teams to establish what these
Design Impact credits; synergies may also be
credits are--and their real implications--prior to
identified among credits that primarily involve
formulating their design approach.
material or equipment selections. Detailed
Credit Synergies:
descriptions of credit synergies for the Courthouse
models, including the cost implications, can be
When reviewing the potential "High Design
found in the GSA LEED Cost Study.
Impact" credits on a project, it is important that
the various design considerations be evaluated in
tandem. In some cases the credits will be
"synergistic," meaning that strategies or
technologies used to achieve one credit can also be
used to achieve additional credits. By evaluating the
range of credit synergies within a project, an
integrated design solution can be formulated to
achieve multiple goals (and earn multiple credits)
within a comprehensive and justifiable design
approach.
GSA LEED APPLICATIONS GUIDE
27
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