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eBook Csosen Rec Trough Lca
eBook Csosen Rec Trough Lca
Understanding Circularity
Criteria
Circularity Criteria, simply put, is a set of • Material Level: This level focuses on
guidelines or standards that attempts to the choice of materials. Sustainable By understanding and abiding by these
transform our linear economy (take-make- and recyclable materials should be the Circularity Criteria (Levels), architects
waste) into a circular one where waste is architect’s first choice. are able to add immense value to their
minimized and resources are continually re- projects while significantly contributing to
used. As an architect, it’s crucial that your • Product Level: Here, the strategy
a more circular economy. In the following
designs reflect these standards to align revolves around the design of
sections, we will explore how these
with sustainable practices. architectural components and how
criteria interact with the implementation
they can be efficiently assembled and
of RCE life cycle analysis and strategies
The criteria is built on three main levels: disassembled for reuse.
for reducing embodied carbon.
Material Level, Product Level, and System • System Level: This level emphasizes
Level, each representing a stage in the integrating all components into a
life cycle of an architecture project. They circular system, considering both
provide a holistic approach for architects the architectural project and the Source: Building Circularity Assessment in the Architecture,
to incorporate circularity in their designs, surrounding environment. Engineering, and Construction Industry - Information Systems
thereby Reducing Embodied Carbon (REC). in the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology.
The Importance of Reducing Digging Deeper into Reducing influence the amount of embodied carbon
Embodied Carbon in a building. For instance, overdesigning
Embodied Carbon Understanding the sources of embodied can lead to unnecessary material usage
carbon is the first step in reducing it. and subsequently, higher embodied
The sustainability of the architectural This begins with understanding the life carbon emissions.
sector is dependent not only on the cycle of building materials. Much of the
operational carbon emissions, but also on carbon emission is a product of energy- Lastly, the end-of-life stage of a material
the embodied carbon emissions associated intensive manufacturing processes. These adds another layer of complexity. When
with the manufacturing, transportation, include the significant emissions from a building is demolished, its materials
construction, and disposal of building extracting raw materials and converting often end up in a landfill, where they
materials. Reducing Embodied Carbon them into construction products. However, break down and generate emissions.
(REC) is a revolutionary approach to transportation and construction stages By considering the reuse or recycling of
making architecture more sustainable. But also contribute to a building’s embodied materials at the design stage, architects
why is it so important? carbon. can significantly reduce the embodied
carbon emissions associated with the
Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse Apart from the manufacturing process, end-of-life stage of a building.
gas emissions that are generated the design choices architects make also
throughout the lifecycle of a building
material, from extraction, to manufacture,
to disposal. Because of how heavily the Source: akila3d.com/
construction industry relies on carbon-
intensive materials like steel and concrete,
REC has become a significant part of any
building’s carbon footprint.
When we talk about Reducing Embodied Now, let’s explore the primary techniques essentially everything that keeps the
Carbon (RCE), we refer to the systematic involved in RCE life cycle analysis and their building functional and comfortable for
effort to lessen the carbon output created subsequent benefits: its inhabitants.
during the production of raw materials
and the construction process. A key tool 1. Materials Assessment: This involves 4. End-of-Life Assessment: The final
in any architect’s sustainable design a comprehensive investigation of the stage concerns the building’s eventual
arsenal for achieving this is Life Cycle carbon footprints of different building demise, a phase often ignored in
Assessment (LCA), especially when it’s materials. Architects consider the traditional architectural practices but
applied with a focus on RCE. This provides energy required to produce these essential for a comprehensive RCE life
a comprehensive overview of the potential materials, transport them to the site, cycle analysis. It includes the carbon
environmental impacts associated with all sustain them during the building’s produced during demolition and the
the stages of a product’s life, from sourcing lifetime, and decompose them post- process of either disposing or recycling
to disposal, also known as the ‘cradle to use. the resulting materials.
grave’ approach. 2. Process Analysis: A thorough process
analysis evaluates all construction
Using LCA analysis in the context of activities for their carbon output. It
RCE helps architects understand and includes everything from the energy
tally the ‘carbon cost’ of their projects – consumption of construction machinery
everything from the energy consumed by to the fuel used by workers commuting
manufacturing processes, to the impacts to the site. The beauty of these techniques
of transportation and eventual waste. lies in their detail and
By understanding this cumulative effect, 3. Operation and Maintenance Evaluation: comprehensiveness. They allow
it is possible to make intelligent design This calculation assesses the carbon architects to consider aspects
decisions that lessen the overall carbon produced during the life of the building. of building design that may have
footprint. It includes heating, cooling, lighting - otherwise been neglected.
Furthermore, the benefits are plentiful and In essence, integrating RCE life cycle as-
accumulate over time: sessment into architectural processes not
only makes economic sense but also ensu-
• Better Decision Making: Understanding
res a sustainable future. Remember, every
the carbon impact of materials and
decision counts when it’s about preserving
processes empowers architects to make
our planet!
better, informed decisions.
Improving Strategies: gas emissions. Therefore, its reduction is Design for Disassembly (DfD)
crucial in our quest to decarbonize the built
Architectural Approaches to environment. DfD is a design strategy that considers
Reducing Embodied Carbon the future adaptation or dismantling of
Consideration of Materials a building. This approach prolongs a
building’s life cycle and facilitates building
As an architect, your role in reducing Everything begins with the material
components’ reuse, hence lowering the
embodied carbon cannot be overstated. By selection. As an architect, it’s essential
overall embodied carbon.
adopting effective architectural strategies, to understand that every material has
you have the power to drastically decrease its embodied carbon footprint. Prioritize Use of Renewable Energy Sources
the environmental impact of your projects. using low embodied carbon materials
like bamboo, timber, or recycled steel. Diversifying the energy mix of a building
Before we dive into the exploration of
Where possible, reduce material usage by by incorporating renewable energy sources
these strategies, let’s first reiterate why
exploring new architectural designs and like solar, wind, or geothermal energy
this matters in today’s world.
methods that require fewer resources. not only reduces operational carbon but
Why the need to Reduce Embodied can indirectly reduce embodied carbon
Carbon (REC)? Modular Construction within the power sector, making it another
fantastic strategy.
Every action in the construction process Designed off-site then transported for
exhibits an environmental footprint. on-site assembly, modular constructions In conclusion, the strategies to reduce
From the extraction of raw materials, significantly reduce construction embodied carbon are many and varied. The
transportation, and assembly of waste, transport emissions, and energy call here is for architects to lead the charge
building components, there’s always a consumption compared to traditional by transforming the way they approach
consequential carbon footprint. REC is building methods. Plus, they speed up the building design to incorporate these
pertinent in the early stages of a project, construction process, potentially saving strategies. After all, as architects, we shape
contributing hugely to global greenhouse costs. the buildings. Let’s also shape a better, less
carbon-intensive future.
Source: cima.ca
One of the best ways to truly grasp the • Material Sourcing: Sought locally
concept of Reducing Embodied Carbon sourced materials, reducing
(REC) through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) carbon emissions associated with
is by considering real-world examples. This transportation.
section will highlight three architectural
projects that have successfully integrated • Construction: Applied green
REC principles, giving you tangible construction methods, reducing on-site
evidence of how REC can positively impact emissions.
the architectural industry. • Operational Phase: Designed for
Example 1: Bullitt Center - Seattle, USA net-zero energy usage; incorporated
renewable energy systems, including a
Recognized as one of the greenest 244 kW solar array.
commercial buildings in the world, the
Bullitt Center aimed to have as minimal • Deconstruction: Planned for
an environmental impact as possible. deconstruction from the onset, allowing
Considerations were made at all stages materials to be reused or recycled,
of the LCA, including material sourcing, further reducing embodied carbon.
construction phase, operational phase, and
ultimate deconstruction.
Sources
• Architecture 2030. (2019). The 2050
Imperative. Architecture2030.org
Postgraduate Programme
in Sustainable Architecture
and Construction
More information