855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 462

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pollutants and extreme heat. Through these and other strategies, occupants benefit from better health and cognitive outcomes, and increased levels of comfort and satisfaction.

Together, EQ credits and prerequisites help indoor spaces remain conducive to health and wellbeing even during adverse conditions.

Ecosystem conservation and restoration Finally, the EQ category emphasizes the importance of dynamic spaces that foster emotional connections between people and their environments. With credit strategies that enhance access to high-quality daylight, views, and biophilic design, EQ credits incentivize ecological placemaking. Aligning building systems with natural environmental patterns, for example, through lighting or thermal patterns, can contribute to a positive occupant experience while also improving building efficiency ( EQc2: Occupant Experience ).

EQ prerequisites and credits empower project owners, occupants, and the building community to create buildings where occupants can experience a sense of belonging and stewardship toward their built environment, community, and natural world.

CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

Floor area calculations and floor plans For many of the credits in the EQ category, compliance is based on the percentage of floor area that meets the credit requirements. In general, floor areas and space categorization should be consistent across EQ credits. Any excluded spaces or discrepancies in floor area values should be explained and highlighted in the documentation. See Space Categorization below for additional information on which floor area should be included in which credits.

Space categorization The EQ category focuses on the interaction between the occupants of the building and the indoor spaces in which they spend their time. For this reason, it is important to identify which spaces are used by the occupants, including any visitors (transients), and what activities they perform in each space. Depending on the space categorization, the credit requirements may or may not apply (Table 1).

Occupied versus unoccupied space All spaces in a building must be categorized as either occupied or unoccupied. Occupied spaces are enclosed areas intended for human activities. Unoccupied spaces are places intended primarily for other purposes; they are occupied only occasionally and for short periods

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 452