LEED BD+C (Building Design and Construction) program encourages sustainability practices in commercial buildings. One of the categories under this program is Innovation, which awards up to 6 points to the projects. In order to achieve these points, projects need to comply with specific requirements for each credit.

The credits under the Innovation category are as follows:

1. Pilot Credit 81 – Option 1: Integrated Project Planning & Design (1-3 Points)

This credit awards 1-3 points for utilizing an integrated project team and following an integrated design process for the project. The goal is to enhance the coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness of the project team and design process.

Documentation Requirements:

• Narrative describing the integrated project team and integrated design process
• Meeting minutes or other documentation evidencing integrated design process activities
• Design charrette agenda and outcomes

2. Pilot Credit 81 – Option 2: Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (1-2 Points)

This credit awards 1-2 points for conducting a comprehensive life cycle assessment of the building and its materials, products, and systems to identify opportunities for reducing environmental impacts over its entire life cycle.

Documentation Requirements:

• Narrative describing the life cycle assessment process and results
• Life cycle assessment report

3. Pilot Credit 81 – Option 3: Building-Level Thermal Energy Storage (1 Point)

This credit awards 1 point for implementing a thermal energy storage system in the building to reduce energy demand during peak periods.

Documentation Requirements:

• Narrative describing the thermal energy storage system
• System design and specifications
• Commissioning plan and results

4. Pilot Credit 81 – Option 4: Heat Island Reduction (1 Point)

This credit awards 1 point for reducing the heat island effect of the building and its surroundings through the implementation of various strategies, such as green roofs, cool roofs, and shade structures.

Documentation Requirements:

• Narrative describing the heat island reduction strategies implemented
• Technical specifications of the strategies
• Installation and maintenance plans

5. Exemplary Performance (1-2 Points)

This credit awards 1-2 points for achieving exemplary performance in one or more existing credits under the LEED BD+C program. The goal is to encourage projects to go beyond the requirements of the existing credits and achieve outstanding sustainability performance.

Documentation Requirements:

• Narrative describing the exemplary performance achieved
• Supporting documentation for the exemplary performance

6. LEED Accredited Professional (1 Point)

This credit awards 1 point for having a LEED Accredited Professional as part of the project team to ensure a high level of expertise in sustainability and LEED requirements.

Documentation Requirements:

• Copy of the LEED Accredited Professional’s credential
• Evidence of the LEED Accredited Professional’s involvement in the project

Projects need to provide evidence of compliance for each credit. The table below summarizes the documentation requirements for each credit:

Credit Documentation Requirements Examples Pilot Credit 81 – Option 1 Narrative describing integrated design process, meeting minutes or other documentation, design charrette agenda Integrated design process narrative Pilot Credit 81 – Option 2 Narrative describing life cycle assessment process, life cycle assessment report Life cycle assessment report Pilot Credit 81 – Option 3 Narrative describing thermal energy storage system, system design and specifications, commissioning plan and results Thermal energy storage system design Pilot Credit 81 – Option 4 Narrative describing heat island reduction strategies, technical specifications of the strategies, installation and maintenance plans Green roof installation and maintenance plan Exemplary Performance Narrative describing exemplary performance achieved, supporting documentation for the exemplary performance Energy use reduction narrative and supporting documentation LEED Accredited Professional Copy of the LEED Accredited Professional’s credential, evidence of the LEED Accredited Professional’s involvement in the project LEED AP credential