Tool characterisation framework for parametric building LCA
Paper in proceeding, 2022

Connecting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to parametric design has been suggested as a way of facilitating performing environmental assessments in early design stages. However, no overviews of potential approaches and tools are available within recent research. Also, no characterisation frameworks adapted for parametric LCA tools are present. In order to guide the development of workflows for environmental analysis aimed at the early design stage of buildings, the goal of this paper is to provide such a framework, and to demonstrate its use by characterising a number of available LCA plug-ins for the commonly used parametric design framework Grasshopper® (GH). First, a framework for classification and characterisation of tools based on workflow, adaptability, and required user knowledge was developed. Second, a tool inventory was performed, identifying 13 parametric LCA plug-ins for GH. Finally, four of these plug-ins were further investigated using the developed evaluation framework, a user persona approach, and a simplified test case. It was found that the characterisation framework was able to differentiate tools based on the level of LCA expertise integrated in the tools, and the allocation of responsibility for data entry and interpretation. A contrast was found between streamlined tools, and tools which provide more versatility. The characterisation framework, and the resulting overview of approaches can be used to guide the future development of parametric environmental analysis frameworks.

tool characterisation

sustainable architecture

life cycle assessment

parametric design

Early-stage design

Author

Toivo Säwén

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Building Technology

E. Magnusson

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Building Technology

Angela Sasic Kalagasidis

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Building Technology

Alexander Hollberg

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Building Technology

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science

17551307 (ISSN) 17551315 (eISSN)

Vol. 1078 1 012090

SBE 2022 Berlin D-A-CH Conference: Built Environment within Planetary Boundaries, sbe22 Berlin 2022
Virtual, Online, ,

Mainstreaming holistic life cycle performance optimisation in early design stages of buildings

Swedish Energy Agency (51715-1), 2021-01-01 -- 2024-12-31.

Subject Categories

Architectural Engineering

Environmental Management

Environmental Analysis and Construction Information Technology

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

DOI

10.1088/1755-1315/1078/1/012090

More information

Latest update

10/17/2022