A Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a powerful tool used to measure the complete environmental impact of a building project. It evaluates the carbon footprint and other environmental effects throughout a building's life, across four key stages: production, use, end-of-life, and beyond. Below are three examples of how LCAs can guide decisions for more sustainable building projects.
An architect designing an eco-friendly office building can use LCA during the design phase to guide material choices. By inputting data into LCA software, the architect can compare the environmental impact of materials like concrete, cross-laminated timber (CLT), and recycled steel. For instance, CLT may offer a lower carbon footprint than traditional materials, helping the architect make data-driven decisions that balance sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
A developer planning a new apartment complex can use LCA to optimize the building’s energy efficiency and reduce its overall carbon footprint. By analyzing design elements such as insulation, HVAC systems, and glazing, the developer can select options that minimize both operational energy use and embodied carbon. This allows for an informed decision that balances energy savings, lower emissions, and financial return over the building’s life cycle.
An engineer selecting insulation for an energy-efficient office building can use LCA to evaluate the environmental trade-offs between materials like extruded polystyrene (XPS) and cellulose fiber. XPS may offer better thermal performance but has higher embodied carbon, while cellulose fiber has a lower environmental impact. LCA helps the engineer weigh these factors and choose the most sustainable option for long-term environmental benefits.
By using LCA, architects, developers, and engineers can make informed decisions that reduce the environmental impact of their building projects from start to finish.
Together Symetri and One Click LCA support your decarbonization journey, read the full article here.
Efficiency, accuracy, and innovation are crucial for staying competitive in the industrial landscape of today. Manufacturing and engineering companies face increasing challenges in managing product development, ensuring design accuracy, and optimising workflows. That’s where Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) come into play.
Implementing a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system can be transformative for any manufacturing or engineering organization, but success doesn’t happen by chance. It takes careful planning, collaboration, and the right tools. In this article, we’ll walk you through what PLM implementation involves, why it’s critical to your organization, the benefits it delivers, and the best practices to follow. We’ll also touch on common challenges to avoid, expected timelines, and how Sovelia Core can support your implementation journey.
Manufacturing companies today need robust systems to manage their operations and product development efficiently. Two of the most important systems in this regard are Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). While they serve different purposes, both play a crucial role in streamlining business processes, improving collaboration, and enhancing overall productivity.