Which of the following strategies should be conducted first?

A retail store is pursuing LEED for Interior Design and Construction certification.

Which of the following strategies should be conducted first?
A . Perform a life-cycle analysis
B . Create an energy budget analysis
C . Conduct a charrette with the project team
D . Perform an energy model according to ASHRAE 90.1

Answer: C

Explanation:

A charrette is an intensive planning session where citizens, designers, and others collaborate on a vision for development. It provides a forum for ideas and offers the unique advantage of giving immediate feedback to the designers. More importantly, it allows everyone who participates to be a mutual author of the plan. This should be conducted first to ensure all stakeholders are aligned on the project goals and strategies before proceeding with detailed analyses or modeling.

Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources