LEED AP Building Design and Construction (BD+C) Practice Exam

Under what condition can a vegetated roof be counted towards open space vegetation?

1. When the project has a density of 1.0 FAR

2. When the project has a density of 1.5 FAR

3. When the project is located in a wetland area

4. When the project utilizes solar panels

The correct answer is: When the project has a density of 1.5 FAR

A vegetated roof can be counted towards open space vegetation under specific conditions outlined in the LEED BD+C rating system. The correct answer identifies that a density of 1.5 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) allows for the inclusion of vegetated roofs in open space calculations. A higher density often indicates a more compact building footprint, which can result in limited availability of traditional open space like ground-level landscaping. Therefore, projects with a higher FAR, such as 1.5, are encouraged to use alternative solutions like vegetated roofs to meet open space requirements. This practice not only provides additional vegetation to enhance urban biodiversity and manage stormwater but also contributes to the overall sustainability goals of the project. Other conditions, such as project location in wetland areas or the use of solar panels, do not directly affect whether a vegetated roof can count towards open space vegetation, as they relate to different aspects of environmental design and land-use considerations. Meanwhile, a density of 1.0 FAR may not adequately promote the integration of green infrastructure like vegetated roofs, as it typically indicates a more spacious development possibility at ground level.