5.5: Reuse of Existing Structures and Materials

(30 maximum points possible)

Structural Systems and Non-Structural/Interior Elements (22 points)

GREEN GLOBES #5.5.1.1 - ANSI #10.5.1.1 What percentage of the structural systems from an existing building on the site are retained and incorporated in the new design?

• ≥95% (12 points) 
• ≥90% and <95% (11 points) 
• ≥85% and <90% (10 points) 
• ≥80% and <85% (9 points) 
• ≥75% and <80% (8 points) 
• ≥70% and <75% (7 points) 
• ≥65% and <70% (6 points) 
• ≥60% and <65% (5 points) 
• ≥50% and <60% (4 points) 
• ≥40% and <50% (3 points) 
• <40% (0 points)

Assessment Guidance

Examples of structural systems include exterior walls, interior bearing walls, roof systems, and floor systems.

Percentage = 100 x (A ÷ B), where:

• A = Total square footage of reused existing structural systems
• B = Total square footage of structural systems in the project

Wall Area is measured in the vertical plane and other structural systems are measured in the horizontal plane.

Recommended Documents 

• Construction Documents 
• Calculation for area of existing major structural systems reused

GREEN GLOBES #5.5.1.2 - ANSI #10.5.1.2 What percentage of non-structural interior systems and finishes from an existing building on the site are retained and incorporated in the new design?

• ≥95% (10 points) 
• ≥85% and <95% (9 points) 
• ≥75% and <85% (8 points) 
• ≥65% and <75% (7 points) 
• ≥55% and <65% (6 points) 
• ≥45% and <55% (5 points) 
• ≥35% and <45% (4 points) 
• ≥25% and <35% (3 points) 
• ≥15% and <25% (2 points) 
• ≥10% and <15% (1 points) 
• <10% (0 points)

Assessment Guidance

Examples of non-structural interior systems and finishes include ceiling, interior partitions, demountable walls, flooring, and doors.

Areas are calculated as the projected area of the element (e.g. if an interior partition is reused, the area is calculated as length x height of the wall).

Percentage = 100 x (A ÷ B), where:

• A = Total area of reused existing interior systems and finishes
• B = Total area of interior systems and finishes in the new design

Recommended Documents 

• Construction Documents
• Calculations for surface area of existing non-structural elements reused

Material Reuse from Off-Site (8 points)

GREEN GLOBES #5.5.2.1 - ANSI #10.5.2.1 What percentage of the project incorporates reused, refurbished AND/OR off-site salvaged materials in place of new materials (except furnishings)?

• ≥20% (4 points) 
• ≥10% and <20% (3 points) 
• ≥5% and <10% (2 points) 
• ≥2% and <5% (1 points) 
• <2% (0 points)

Assessment Guidance

The value of the reused, refurbished, or salvaged material is the greater of the cost of the reused, refurbished or salvaged material or the cost of new comparable material which is being avoided.

Percentages are calculated as the percentage of the total materials cost.

Percentage = 100 x (A ÷ B), where:

• A = Total value of reused materials
• B = Total value of materials

Recommended Documents 

• Manufacturer’s specifications, cut sheets and performance documentation 
• Calculation for percentage of off-site material reused onsite

GREEN GLOBES #5.5.2.2 - ANSI #10.5.2.2 What percentage of furnishings (including systems furniture) are reused, salvaged AND/OR refurbished for reuse within the project?

• ≥30% (4 points) 
• ≥20% and <30% (3 points) 
• ≥15% and <20% (2 points) 
• ≥10% and <15% (1 points) 
• <10% (0 points) 
• N/A

Assessment Guidance

Percentages are calculated as the percentage of the total furnishings cost.

Percentage = 100 x (A ÷ B), where:

• A = Total value of reused furnishings
• B = Total value of furnishings

Not applicable where there are no existing furnishings or if it is not feasible to reuse existing furnishings.

Recommended Documents 

• Manufacturer’s specifications, cut sheets and performance documentation 
• Calculation for percentage of furniture reused

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