Sustainability : Mixed-Use Development : Architectural Design :

Can a parking structure become LEED certified?*

There are a number of opportunities available to incorporate sustainable strategies into the planning and design of parking facilities. However, parking garages (both mixed-use and stand alone) can no longer obtain LEED certification. A May 9, 2011 LEED Interpretation ruling states the following:

° Parking garages may not pursue LEED certification. More specifically, buildings that dedicate more than 75% of floor area (including areas not covered, enclosed, or conditioned) to the parking and circulation of motor vehicles are ineligible for LEED.

° Parking garages may not be included in the gross floor area of the LEED project building The definition of gross floor area in the glossary specifically disallows the inclusion of parking.

° Parking garages may be included within the LEED project boundary

° If parking is within, connected to, or on the site of the LEED project building, it may (and sometimes, must) be included within the LEED project boundary. The MPR #3 section gives more guidance on this issue.

However, the following are some of the notable sustainable opportunities related to parking and transportation:

Planning, Location, and Transportation

· Plan early to locate facilities near mass transit or in a dense mixed-use development.

· Reduce the amount of parking required, applying shared-use strategies.

· Provide preferred parking for carpools and vanpools.

· Provide priority parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles.

· Provide recharging stations for electric vehicles.

· Provide car-sharing services using low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles.

· Provide shuttle systems to increase mobility and reduce individual automobile use.

· Include bicycle storage areas and conditioned shower and changing rooms.

Lighting, Energy Use, and Renewable Energy

· Create a holistic energy model with software, to plan and design an energy efficient building.

· Commission building systems (electrical, solar, etc.) to ensure that they operate as designed, potentially identifying additional cost savings over time.

· Install renewable energy technologies, including photovoltaic panels, wind power, bio-fuels, co-generation, and hydrogen fuel cells.

· Reduce energy demand and use through the photocell receptors, timers, computerized controllers and/or dimmers.

· Install a “cool” roof to decrease roof temperatures and the heat island effect.

· Install energy-efficient electrical and mechanical systems.

· Retrofit existing garages with solar panels and energy efficient lighting systems.

· Screen facilities to limit the amount of light pollution spilling out of the structure onto surrounding areas.

Construction and Building Practices

· Document strategies that prevent construction activity pollution.

· Use regional materials to reduce transportation impacts.

· Develop and implement a waste management plan.

· Use salvaged, refurbished or reused materials to discourage use of virgin materials.

· Use materials with recycled content.

· Dedicate areas to the storage and collection of recyclable materials.

Water Use and Stormwater Practices

· Install water-saving fixtures to reduce water use.

· Implement a rainwater recycling system.

· Carefully select native adapted plantings that do not require irrigation.

· Install pervious paving and other landscape strategies to increase infiltration.

· Install a green roof to increase pervious area and decrease roof temperatures.

Innovation

· Create an educational program based on the sustainable strategies in a facility.

· Institute green cleaning programs for interiors.

· Develop innovative strategies or apply technologies not yet considered by

· LEED and other systems.

TimHaahs has provided design services on parking structures which have utilized sustainable design strategies on campuses pursuing LEED certification, including:

· DISA Headquarters Parking Structure Design – Fort Meade, MD

· Commonwealth II Parking Garage Design – Chantilly, VA

· T. Rowe Price Corporate Campus Garages – Owings Mills, MD

· Riddle Memorial Hospital Parking Structure – Media, PA

· Canon Headquarters Parking Garages – Melville, NY

· Miami Marlins Ballpark Stadium Parking Structures – Miami, FL



Rendering courtesy of Populous