Real Life LEED AP Exam Question: May Town Center in Nashville

Look around the internet and you are sure to find one of these:

The design team of a 28,000 sq. ft. public school hope to achieve SS Credit 6.2, Stormwater Design: Quality Control, in the LEED-NC Rating System. Incorporating which of the following green building elements into the design would aid the team in achieving this credit? (Choose three)

A. constructed wetland

B. solar hot water system

C. vegetated roof

D. infiltration basin

E. high-albedo concrete

The correct answers are A, C, and D. (Thanks www.intheleeed.com for the sample.)  Well, if you look around Nashville, you are sure to find a real life LEED AP exam question brewing on some property known as Bells Bend.  It's called the May Town Center ... and the development has both supporters and critics.  If you think I'm kidding about the exam question, watch this clip and listen for words like "sustainable site" "light reduction" and "green-washing":

Following hours of heated open hearings, the Planning Commission voted last week against the proposed land use plan for the development. According to the Nashville Business Journal,

The Metro Nashville City Council has final say on zoning changes and will take up the issue in a public hearing on July 7. However, with a negative recommendation from the planning commission, the zoning measure will need 27 votes from the council, rather than the 21 usually required. . . .The planning staff had recommended approval of a zoning request to allow the development, but that was contingent on the land use plan amendment. The commission then voted down the proposed zoning changes.

There are many of us in Nashville closely watching the May Town Center development and I look forward to reviewing some of the LEED-related issues on the project, as well as reporting back after the July hearings.

Only 19days, 4hrs, 23min, 18secs Until Last LEED AP 2.2 Test

And I only have 18 days until my test ... because I am taking the test on the "second to last" day.  If you are wondering why I am calling it the "last" LEED AP 2.2 test, GreenSource explains the basic requirements of the new LEED categories, including an easy-to-read chart of credentials.  If you have not already registered for the version 2.2 test, then it's too late.  If you have registered, then you should already have a scheduled test date ... and June 30, 2009 is the last possible date to take the LEED AP 2.2 test.  If you already passed, BuildingGreen.com explains what it means for you.

I know there are endless resources (...free and not-so-free.,.) out there that can help you prep for the exam.  Well, thanks to my partner Vic McConnell (...Mom always liked you best...) who passed the exam last week, I have a plan of action.  With the obligatory disclaimer (...there are no guarantees that you will pass if you follow this method...), here are some of the materials that I am using for my preparation: 

Here is a list of substantive issues that I am focusing on for the test:

  • Certification ratings and points
  • Six credit categories (WIMSIE)
  • Code/Standards referenced (especially ASHRAE)
  • Exemplary Performance Credits/ID Credits
  • Project registration
  • Project certification process
  • CIR process (Credit Interpretation Rating)
  • Appropriate rating system (LEED-NC)
  • Certification application & fees
  • Prerequisites
  • Introductory sections to each credit
  • Submittals for each credit
  • Submittal phases
  • Commissioning (EAP1 & EAc3)
  • Synergies between credits
  • Relations between SS 6.1 & 6.2; SS 5.1 & 5.2; and SS 7.1 & 7.2
  • Energy Performance credits EAP2 & 1
  • EQ Credits (3.1 – 3.2)
  • EQ Credits (4.1 – 4.4)
  • Water efficiency  – plumbing fixtures involved
  • Project administrator duties

 All you LEED-ers, did I miss anything? 

 
[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]