SS Credit 7.1: Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof

SS Credit 7.1: Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof

LEED-NC Credit: YES+ 1 INNOVATION POINT | UNSURE|NO

Credit Intent

Reduce the heat island that commonly surrounds developed areas to minimize environmental impacts on humans and wildlife.

Feasibility

Attainment of this credit could follow either option outlined by LEED-NC, and both options can and should be met. In addition, an Innovation point can be awarded by showing that 100% of the parking space at the site is covered. Given the desire the new campus’s indoor spaces to interact with the outdoors, covered walkways have planned throughout the site. This will help to achieve the credit through Option 1, which requires shade over 50% of the site hardscape. A credit can be awarded through Option 2 is a minimum of 50% of the site’s parking spaces are under cover. On the GSB campus, 100% of the spaces will be under cover, resulting in an additional Innovation Point.

Analysis

Option 1: Provide shade to 50% of site hardscape -- According to Kathleen Kavanaugh, the new GSB site has a goal of meshing indoor and outdoor environments, to achieve this, many shaded walkways are planned, similar in tradition to current archways in Stanford’s Main Quadrangle. It is very possible that 50% of the hardscape surfaces (primarily sidewalks and roadways connecting to the underground parking garage) will be covered, as shown in the architectural sketch below (Figure 22). In addition, palm trees planned for exterior courtyard areas may provide additional shade. This shading should be measured at 10am, noon, and averaged to calculate effective shaded area. Once the design is finalized, care should be taken to ensure that hardscape areas are largely shaded to reduce heat island effects. The preliminary building narrative notes that 73,000 square feet of arcades and other covered areas are planned.[1]

Figure 22: Architectural sketch of a GSB exterior covered walkway[2]

SS Credit 7.1: Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof

LEED-NC Credit: YES+ 1 INNOVATION POINT | UNSURE|NO

Option 2: Place a minimum of 50% of parking spaces under cover -- Plans for the site have shown that all parking spaces will be underground, thereby meeting this requirement and satisfying the LEED-NC credit if for some reason the Option 1 requirement is not met. Project specifications note an “underground parking structure consisting of 4 levels…”[3]

Because this parking garage is completely underground (i.e., all 835 spaces will be covered), an Innovation Point will be earned.

Figure 23: Site plan of 4 level underground parking structure[4]

[1] Schematic Narrative and Outline Specifications, BCJ Architects, 4/30/07, pg. 1.

[2] BCJ Architects, sketch from Kathleen Kavanaugh’s presentation, 5/2/07.

[3] Schematic Narrative and Outline Specifications, BCJ Architects, 4/30/07

[4] ARUP, New GSB Parking Garage Area