SS Credit 5.2: Site Development: Maximize Open Space
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
Credit Intent
Promote diverse vegetation and open spaces by limiting the size of building footprints.
Feasibility
This credit can certainly be obtained by ensuring that the open space on the site is equal to or greater in area than the sum of all new GSB building footprints. As was discussed in credit 5.1, there is plenty of open space planned for the new GSB, and pursuing this credit will help create a feeling of connectivity with the outdoors desired for the campus.
Analysis
To ensure the site’s open space is equal to or greater than the building footprint, the total area of the site and the building footprint area need to be calculated. As was shown in Credit 5.1, the estimated building footprint, including covered by not enclosed areas is equal to about 190,000 square feet. In a similar approximate manner, the total site area can be estimated as well. This is done to illustrate an approximate method to calculate site area, when in fact the architect, contractor, and Stanford may already know the total site area.
Figure 19: Plan view of existing site, before construction, broken up into simple shapes to estimate total site area. From Google Maps satellite view.
SS Credit 5.2: Site Development: Maximize Open Space
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
Site Area Estimation
From Figure 19 above, we can roughly estimate the square footage of all four areas outlined.
Area 1: 0.071 x 0.03 miles = 0.00213 sq. miles = 59,000 sf
Area 2: 0.071 x 0.161 miles = 0.011431 sq. smiles = 319,000 sf
Area 3: 0.5 x 0.161 x 0.064 = 0.005152 sq. miles = 143,000 sf
Area 4: 0.5 x 0.071 x 0.048 = 0.001704 sq. miles = 47,000 sf
TOTAL 568,000 sf
Site Area Building Footprint Area Open Space
568,000 sf 190,000 sf 378,000 sf
In short, to achieve this credit, roughly 190,000 square feet of open space is required. This should not be a big problem. As with credit 5.1, an additional Innovative Credit can be obtained if we show that open space on the site is twice the amount required for a Credit 5.2 point. This would require 2 x 190,000 = 380,000 square feet of open space.
The estimates above show that there may be roughly 568,000 - 190,000 = 378,000 square feet of open space, putting the GSB site very close to obtaining this credit. Stanford and the design team will need to determine the exact site and building footprint areas to prove that Credit 5.2 is achieved and possibly to show that an additional Innovative Credit is also achieved.