Building Lifecycle Assessment
Understanding environmental impacts across a building's entire lifespan
Your Progress
Section 1 of 5The Full Picture of Building Impact
A building's environmental impact extends far beyond daily energy use. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) captures emissions from material extraction through manufacturing, construction, decades of operation, periodic renovations, and eventual deconstruction—typically spanning 50-100 years. Understanding these phases is crucial for making decisions that truly reduce total carbon footprint.
Why LCA Matters
- 🎯True Impact: Reveals hidden emissions in materials and construction
- ⚖️Trade-offs: Helps balance embodied vs operational carbon
- 🎨Design Leverage: Early decisions have 70-80% influence on outcomes
- 🔄Circular Economy: Enables design for reuse and recycling
LCA Standards
ISO 14040/14044
International framework for LCA methodology
EN 15978
European standard for building LCA
WBLCA (Whole Building)
Comprehensive cradle-to-grave assessment
Interactive Lifecycle Timeline
Click on each phase to explore activities, emissions, and key decisions
Building Lifecycle Timeline (Typical 50-100 Year Span)
1-2 years
1-3 years
50-100 years
Every 15-25 years
6 months - 1 year
📐
Planning & Design
Site selection, architectural design, material specifications
Duration
1-2 years
Key Activities
- •Site analysis and selection
- •Conceptual and detailed design
- •Material and system specification
- •Energy modeling and LCA
Carbon Impact
Low direct, high leverage
5% of lifecycle emissions
Cost Share
10-15%
Design Influence
70-80%
📐
5%
Emissions
🏗️
20%
Emissions
⚡
65%
Emissions
🔧
8%
Emissions
♻️
2%
Emissions
Deep Dive into Embodied Carbon
Discover the hidden emissions in materials and construction