Samantha asks:Say a renovation project in an airport is accredited a LEED certification of silver has a children's exhibit that shows the different green aspects of the building. Kiosks and models for example educating and showing how water in a sistern is collected and used in toilets ...could this be counted as innovation design credits??

Answer: Hi Samantha, according to the USGBC's history of Innovation in Design Credit Interpretation Rulings, on 9/24/2001, a CIR addressing Green Building Education was published which states that projects seeking the ID credit for education must 1) provide permanent educational displays illustrating at least one component of each of the five major green building categories in the LEED rating system:

- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Materials and Resources

2) provide a narrative that describes the nature of the green building educational displays as well as the intended green building education program that will use the displays and 3) provide design drawings of the educational displays and their locations in the building.

Other green educational outreach programs may be developed focusing on sustainable living and green building practices that serve the general public.

Even though such programs are designed with an environmental education center in mind, the principles of public education can be applied to either public or private structures. For example, office buildings, although a private enterprise, have employees coming and going each day. A building that is didactic and is reinforced with clearly defined educational displays can have a significant impact on the user's understanding of the built and natural environment.

Transforming thoughtful design solutions into educational opportunities is the intent of this credit. Also, disseminating effective and practical information on sustainable living and building practices to the general public is a fundamental way to make changes in our society.

The 9/24/2001 USGBC CIR states that "to take advantage of the educational value of the green building features of a project and to earn a LEED point, any approach should be ACTIVELY instructional. Two of the following three elements must be included in the educational program:

1) A comprehensive signage program built into the building's spaces to educate the occupants and visitors of the benefits of green buildings. This program may include windows to view energy-saving mechanical equipment or signs to call attention to water-conserving landscape features.

2) The development of a manual, guideline or case study to inform the design of other buildings based on the successes of this project. This manual will be made available to the USGBC for sharing with other projects.

3) An educational outreach program or guided tour could be developed to focus on sustainable living, using the project as an example."

Hope this helps!
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