Visual tool to integrate LCA and LCC in the early design stage of housing

Over their whole life cycle, buildings are responsible for high environmental impacts and require critical financial resources. Decisions in the early design phase have a significant impact on both. This study aims to develop a visual decision support tool for architects in order to integrate an environmental and economic life cycle approach for dwellings. To evaluate the environmental impacts of the building design, the tool uses the Belgian LCA method, 'Environmental Profile of Building Elements'. This method translates 17 environmental indicators in environmental costs by considering the cost to avoid, reduce or compensate the effects to a level that is bearable. The tool allows to combine these life-cycle environmental costs (LCEC) with Life Cycle financial Cost (LCFC). To estimate the operational energy use of the building, the "dynamic Equivalent Heating Degree Day (dEHDD)" method is used. This method allows for fast and relatively accurate heating energy estimations in the early phase, based on a limited number of input data. The tool visualises the results in a graphical way which can be easily understood by architects. Even more, visualisation is seen as a powerful communication tool to share information and ideas with all stakeholders.

Jaar van publicatie:2020

BOF-keylabel:ja

IOF-keylabel:ja

Authors from:Higher Education

Toegankelijkheid:Open