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

What is the minimum percentage of a building that must be maintained for historic building reuse?

1. No minimum requirement

2. 25%

3. 50%

4. 75%

The correct answer is: No minimum requirement

For historic building reuse within LEED's framework, there is indeed no minimum percentage requirement specified for the preservation of the existing building's structure or materials. This means that as long as the building is classified as historic and is being reused, there is flexibility concerning how much of the original building must be preserved. This approach is intended to encourage the reuse of historic resources, emphasizing the value of maintaining historical integrity without imposing strict limits that could hinder adaptive reuse projects. Some projects may range widely in the amount of original materials retained, allowing for creativity and innovation in design while still honoring the historical aspects of the building. This lack of a minimum percentage requirement is aligned with LEED's goal of promoting sustainability through preservation while accommodating a variety of redevelopment scenarios. Hence, the answer reflects the LEED framework's acknowledgment of the unique challenges and potentials in historic buildings.