Ace Your LEED-AP-BD+C Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Exam

New Construction is the appropriate rating system for a new mixed-use building with 300,000 ft2 (27 871 m2) of residential units, 150,000 ft2 (13 935 m2) hotel and 50,000 ft2 (4 645 m2) of retail space.According to the LEED rating system selection guidance1,the New Construction rating system applies to buildings that are being newly constructed or going through a major renovation, and that include any of the following use types: office, retail, hospitality, education, residential, warehouse and distribution centers, or data centers2.The New Construction rating system can also be used for mixed-use buildings that have more than one use type3. Since the project involves new construction of a mixed-use building with residential, hospitality, and retail uses, the New Construction rating system is the most suitable option. The other rating systems are not applicable because they are either specific to one use type (Retail and Hospitality) or to buildings that are not complete at the time of certification (Core and Shell Development).References:

• LEED rating system selection guidance | U.S. Green Building Council
• LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide - U.S. Green Building Council
• LEED v4 Rating Systems | USGBC-LI

Providing an educational program on the environmental and human health benefits of green building practices is a potential innovation strategy that is not addressed by any existing LEED credit. It also meets the criteria of being measurable, replicable, and having a positive impact on the project and the environment.References: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Innovation Category, INc1: Innovation, Option 1. Innovation (1 point), page 704.