Within the different markets addressed by the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system, technical features of the buildings or the buildings’ processes may demand special treatment. LEED Application Guides, which are available on the organization’s website (www.usgbc.org), provide specific advice on how to apply LEED in these cases, and to any special exceptions or interpretations. The guides offer specifics on obtainable LEED points within the areas of sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.
The following application guides are currently available:
LEED-NC Application Guide for Retail addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of implementing green-building strategies into retail projects. The USGBC is currently accepting applications for projects that would like to participate in the pilot test of the guide. The pilot test will gather market feedback on the draft modifications to LEED-NC v2.1/2.2, which include tailored credit language and alternative compliance paths as needed.
LEED-NC Application Guide for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Building Projects provides direction in applying LEED-NC to projects in a campus or multi-building setting, such as corporate campuses, college campuses, and government installations (i.e. a single owner or common property management and control). It is intended for projects where several buildings are constructed at once or in phases, or for a single building that is constructed in a setting of existing buildings with common ownership or planning with the ability to share amenities or common design features.
The U.S. Air Force has developed the LEED-NC Application Guide for Lodging for low-rise lodging projects such as dormitories, hotels, and apartment buildings that are less than 4 stories tall. (Note: This document has not been balloted by the USGBC membership and is to be used for general guidance only.)
The USGBC is currently developing the following application guides:
LEED-NC for Healthcare will address chemical-sensitivity issues, process loads, and other issues relevant to healthcare buildings.
LEED-NC for Laboratories will address the ventilation issues of laboratories, as well as process loads and other considerations.
LEED-NC for Schools is being designed for use by K-12 schools and school districts to address issues such as student transportation, occupancy definition, and classroom acoustics.
