Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED-AP-BD+C Updated Exam

New Construction is the appropriate rating system for a new mixed-use building with 300,000 ft2 (27 871 m2) of residential units, 150,000 ft2 (13 935 m2) hotel and 50,000 ft2 (4 645 m2) of retail space. According to the LEED rating system selection guidance1, the New Construction rating system applies to buildings that are being newly constructed or going through a major renovation, and that include any of the following use types: office, retail, hospitality, education, residential, warehouse and distribution centers, or data centers2. The New Construction rating system can also be used for mixed-use buildings that have more than one use type3. Since the project involves new construction of a mixed-use building with residential, hospitality, and retail uses, the New Construction rating system is the most suitable option. The other rating systems are not applicable because they are either specific to one use type (Retail and Hospitality) or to buildings that are not complete at the time of certification (Core and Shell Development). References:

LEED rating system selection guidance | U.S. Green Building Council

LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide - U.S. Green Building Council

LEED v4 Rating Systems | USGBC-LI

According to the LEED Campus Guidance, the campus approach allows projects that share a single location and site attributes to achieve separate LEED certification for each project, building space, or group on the master site. The campus approach can be used for certain credits that are influenced by the site conditions and infrastructure, such as Sustainable Sites credits. The LEED Campus Guidance provides a list of eligible credits for the campus approach, which includes the following Sustainable Sites credits1:

•Site Assessment

•Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat

•Open Space

•Rainwater Management

•Heat Island Reduction

•Light Pollution Reduction

Therefore, Heat Island Reduction, Light Pollution Reduction, and Rainwater Management are Sustainable Sites credits that are eligible to be used as a campus approach. Places of Respite, Site Master Plan, and Direct Exterior Access are not Sustainable Sites credits, but other credits or prerequisites that are not eligible for the campus approach1.

According to the LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction1, the Integrative Process Prerequisite, Integrative Project Planning and Design, requires the project to assemble an integrated project team that includes at least four key project team members, in addition to the owner or owner’s representative. The key project team members are those who have the authority and responsibility to make design decisions and implement them during construction. The integrated project team should include professionals from different disciplines, such as architecture, engineering, landscape, interior design, construction, commissioning, operations, and maintenance. The integrated project team should collaborate throughout the project phases, from discovery to occupancy, to achieve the project goals and optimize the building performance.

Achievement of the Location and Transportation Credit, Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses may be affected by the move of the main entrance to the opposite side of the building. This is because the credit requires that the project be located within a minimum density area and within walking distance of diverse uses1. The walking distance is measured from a main functional entry of the project building to the diverse use entry1. If the main functional entry is moved, the distance to the diverse uses may change and affect the credit achievement. The other credits are not affected by the move of the main entrance, as they are based on the location of the project site, not the building entry. The Location and Transportation Credit, High-Priority Site rewards projects that are located on sites that are previously developed, infill, or adjacent to existing development2. The Location and Transportation Credit, Sensitive Land Protection rewards projects that are located on sites that do not contain sensitive land features such as prime farmland, wetlands, or habitats3. The Location and Transportation Credit, LEED for Neighborhood Development Location rewards projects that are located within the boundary of a LEED for Neighborhood Development certified plan4.