6 Conclusion and Outlook
Design-integrated, simplified LCA based on digital building models can help to
make informed environmental decisions during conceptual design. The early
BIM-LCA approach using a parametric model presented here proves to be valuable
for quick variant comparison of neighbourhoods in early design stages. The simplified visualization and the use of a single indicator can help designers to make
informed decisions based on the LCA results. These simplified approaches are
necessary to move from the current post-design evaluation of buildings to a
design-integrated assessment. This finally allows designers to improve the environmental performance of their buildings from the very beginning of the planning
process.
Through the development towards nearly zero energy buildings, buildings
produce more and more of the energy they need for operation themselves. As such,
the integration of local energy production should be integrated in the assessment.
This aspect could be easily integrated in the parametric LCA model. Furthermore,
the link to further analysis methods, such as daylight availability could provide a
means to extend the early BIM-LCA to a more holistic performance evaluation tool
in the future.
References
1. Wittstock B, Albrecht S, Makishi Colodel C, Lindner J. P, Hauser G, Sedlbauer K, Gebäude
aus Lebenszyklusperspektive − Ökobilanzen im Bauwesen, Bauphysik, vol. 31, 2009.
2. Hegger M, Fuchs M, Stark T, Zeumer M, Energie Atlas: Nachhaltige Architektur. Birkhäuser,
2007.
3. Schneider C, Steuerung der Nachhaltigkeit im Planungs- und Realisierungsprozess von Büround Verwaltungsgebäuden. 2011.
4. Paulson Jr., B.C, Designing to Reduce Construction Costs, J. Constr. Div., vol. 102, no. 4,
pp. 587–592, 1976.
5. Soust-Verdaguer B, Llatas C, García-Martínez A, Critical review of bim-based LCA method
to buildings, Energy Build., vol. 136, pp. 110–120, 2017.
6. Köhler M, Rhinos, Hoppers, CAD-Monkeys, Competition online, pp. 85–90, 2016.
7. Dogan T, Reinhart C.F, Automated conversion of architectural massing models into thermal
‘shoebox’ models, BS2013 13th Conf. Int. Build. Perform. Simul. Assoc., pp. 3745–3752,
2013.
8. Minergie, Berechnung der Grauen Energie bei MINERGIE-A®, MINERGIE-ECO®,
MINERGIE-P-ECO® UND MINERGIE-A-ECO® BAUTEN, pp. 1–12, 2016.
9. Holliger Consult, Bauteilkatalog, 2002. [Online]. Available: http://www.bauteilkatalog.ch/ch/
de/Bauteilkatalog.asp. [Accessed: 08-Aug-2017].
10. Allacker K, et al., Environmental Profile of Building elements, Towards an integrated
environmental assessment of the use of materials in buildings, 2013.
11. IBO, “baubook,” 2014. [Online]. Available: www.baubook.at.
12. Hollberg A, Ruth J, LCA in architectural design—a parametric approach, Int. J. Life Cycle
Assess., vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 943–960, Jul. 2016.
278
A. Hollberg et al.
Design-integrated, simplified LCA based on digital building models can help to
make informed environmental decisions during conceptual design. The early
BIM-LCA approach using a parametric model presented here proves to be valuable
for quick variant comparison of neighbourhoods in early design stages. The simplified visualization and the use of a single indicator can help designers to make
informed decisions based on the LCA results. These simplified approaches are
necessary to move from the current post-design evaluation of buildings to a
design-integrated assessment. This finally allows designers to improve the environmental performance of their buildings from the very beginning of the planning
process.
Through the development towards nearly zero energy buildings, buildings
produce more and more of the energy they need for operation themselves. As such,
the integration of local energy production should be integrated in the assessment.
This aspect could be easily integrated in the parametric LCA model. Furthermore,
the link to further analysis methods, such as daylight availability could provide a
means to extend the early BIM-LCA to a more holistic performance evaluation tool
in the future.
References
1. Wittstock B, Albrecht S, Makishi Colodel C, Lindner J. P, Hauser G, Sedlbauer K, Gebäude
aus Lebenszyklusperspektive − Ökobilanzen im Bauwesen, Bauphysik, vol. 31, 2009.
2. Hegger M, Fuchs M, Stark T, Zeumer M, Energie Atlas: Nachhaltige Architektur. Birkhäuser,
2007.
3. Schneider C, Steuerung der Nachhaltigkeit im Planungs- und Realisierungsprozess von Büround Verwaltungsgebäuden. 2011.
4. Paulson Jr., B.C, Designing to Reduce Construction Costs, J. Constr. Div., vol. 102, no. 4,
pp. 587–592, 1976.
5. Soust-Verdaguer B, Llatas C, García-Martínez A, Critical review of bim-based LCA method
to buildings, Energy Build., vol. 136, pp. 110–120, 2017.
6. Köhler M, Rhinos, Hoppers, CAD-Monkeys, Competition online, pp. 85–90, 2016.
7. Dogan T, Reinhart C.F, Automated conversion of architectural massing models into thermal
‘shoebox’ models, BS2013 13th Conf. Int. Build. Perform. Simul. Assoc., pp. 3745–3752,
2013.
8. Minergie, Berechnung der Grauen Energie bei MINERGIE-A®, MINERGIE-ECO®,
MINERGIE-P-ECO® UND MINERGIE-A-ECO® BAUTEN, pp. 1–12, 2016.
9. Holliger Consult, Bauteilkatalog, 2002. [Online]. Available: http://www.bauteilkatalog.ch/ch/
de/Bauteilkatalog.asp. [Accessed: 08-Aug-2017].
10. Allacker K, et al., Environmental Profile of Building elements, Towards an integrated
environmental assessment of the use of materials in buildings, 2013.
11. IBO, “baubook,” 2014. [Online]. Available: www.baubook.at.
12. Hollberg A, Ruth J, LCA in architectural design—a parametric approach, Int. J. Life Cycle
Assess., vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 943–960, Jul. 2016.
278
A. Hollberg et al.