Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED-AP-ID+C Passing Score

Integrated decision-making involves the collaborative effort of various stakeholders in a project, from its conception through completion, to ensure the building's design serves its intended purpose effectively. In the context of placing circulation near the office perimeter next to the window wall, integrated decision-making would mean making design choices that enhance the building's performance and occupant comfort. Option A, installing blinds to increase occupant comfort, would address issues such as glare and thermal gains from the sun, which directly impact the occupants' comfort and the building's heating and cooling loads. This decision would emerge from the iterative process of identifying the unique needs and challenges of the project and making early design decisions that benefit the project both in execution and operation.

References:Insights into the integrative process and the importance of collaborative decision-making in LEED projects, emphasizing the impact of early design decisions on building performance and stakeholder value

According to the EPA’s hierarchy, source reduction is prioritized because it addresses the environmental impacts of materials across their entire life cycle. This includes the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, usage, and end-of-life management, including recycling and disposal. By reducing the amount of material used, source reduction minimizes the environmental footprint throughout the entire process.

References: The explanation aligns with the principles outlined in the EPA’s waste management hierarchy, which emphasizes the importance of source reduction as the most preferred approach to managing materials and waste streams12. This is also consistent with the sustainable materials management strategies detailed in the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction3.

For the Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction calculations, all fixtures within the LEED project boundary must be included, both new and existing. The baseline for the existing fixtures should be the same as the baseline flush/flow rates used for the new fixtures. This approach ensures a consistent and fair comparison between the current and proposed water use.

References:

• LEED v4 ID+C Reference Guide1
• Indoor Water Use Reduction Calculator instructions2
• LEED v4 water efficiency credit requirements3.