The Integration of Early Stage Life Cycle Analysis into Architectural Practice Through An IT Supported Process

Abstract: Within the construction industry, a variety of tools undertake Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), including OneClick LCA, Tally and others developed in recent years. Early design decisions provide the biggest opportunity to reduce the whole life carbon (WLC) of a design. A mixed methodology approach including software appraisals, questionnaires and literature reviews found that current LCA tools do not encourage a free flowing design process and cannot analyse early stage decisions for their carbon impact. Integrating BIM and LCA at early design stages using modern computing techniques and automated analysis is essential to addressing and reducing impacts through the construction phases.