The correct answer is A, site conditions. According to the LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, the Integrative Process Prerequisite, Integrative Project Planning and Design, requires the project team to perform a preliminary “simple box” energy modeling and analysis before the completion of schematic design. The purpose of this analysis is to evaluate the energy performance goals of the project and to identify and compare the energy-related design strategies. The analysis should include the following aspects1:
Site conditions, such as climate, solar orientation, shading, and natural ventilation potential
Massing and orientation, such as building shape, size, and orientation, and how they affect the heating and cooling loads, daylight availability, and passive design strategies
Basic envelope attributes, such as insulation levels, window-to-wall ratio, glazing properties, infiltration rates, and thermal bridging
Lighting levels, such as the target illumination levels, daylighting potential, and lighting power density
Plug and process loads, such as the equipment and appliances that consume electricity, and their schedules and controls
Programmatic and operational parameters, such as the occupancy, operating hours, and zoning of the building
Thermal comfort ranges, such as the acceptable temperature and humidity levels for the occupants
HVAC system selection, such as the type, efficiency, and control of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
The other choices are not aspects that should be analyzed when pursuing an integrative design process focusing on energy-related systems, because:
Potable water availability is related to the water efficiency and water quality goals of the project, not the energy performance goals2.
Acoustic performance of the project is related to the indoor environmental quality and occupant comfort goals of the project, not the energy performance goals3.
Applicability of green vehicles to the project is related to the location and transportation and greenhouse gas emissions goals of the project, not the energy performance goals4.
References: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Integrative Process Prerequisite, Integrative Project Planning and Design, Option 1. Energy-Related Systems1; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction, Requirements2; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite, Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance, Requirements3; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Location and Transportation Credit, Green Vehicles, Requirements4
