Short answer
Designers should focus on minimizing both embodied and operational energy through material choices and efficient systems, while also considering a broader range of environmental and social impacts and the long-term durability of materials.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Journal of Sustainability Research (2019)
- Method
- Literature Review
- Sample
- 807 research articles
- Evidence
- Strong effect
A comprehensive review of residential building sustainability research indicates that the energy consumed during material production (embodied energy) and building operation significantly impacts environmental and socio-economic goals. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Journal of Sustainability Research. Using Literature review with 807 research articles, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should focus on minimizing both embodied and operational energy through material choices and efficient systems, while also considering a broader range of environmental and social impacts and the long-term durability of materials.
Life Cycle Assessment reveals embodied energy and operating energy are key drivers of building sustainability.
A comprehensive review of residential building sustainability research indicates that the energy consumed during material production (embodied energy) and building operation significantly impacts environmental and socio-economic goals.
Journal of Sustainability Research · 2019
Key Findings
- 01Embodied energy and operating energy are major contributors to the environmental and socio-economic objectives of the construction industry.
- 02The 'carbon footprint' is the most commonly used indicator, but a wider range of environmental impact categories is needed to avoid trade-offs.
- 03Social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) requires methodological improvements for better application in the building industry.
- 04The service life of buildings is often approximated, with the quality and durability of materials frequently overlooked in LCA.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should focus on minimizing both embodied and operational energy through material choices and efficient systems, while also considering a broader range of environmental and social impacts and the long-term durability of materials.
How to apply
When designing a new building or renovating an existing one, conduct a life cycle assessment that quantifies embodied energy, operational energy, and other relevant environmental impacts. Consider the social implications of material sourcing and construction processes, and specify materials known for their durability to extend the building's service life.
Project actions
- 01When researching materials, look for data on embodied energy and expected lifespan.
- 02Consider using online LCA tools to estimate the environmental impact of your design choices.
- 03Think about the social impact of your design – who benefits, who might be negatively affected?
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive review of a decade of research.
- +Identifies key drivers of building sustainability.
- +Highlights methodological gaps in current assessment tools.
Limitations
Conducting a full LCA can be complex and data-intensive. Obtaining accurate data for embodied energy and material durability can be challenging for novel materials or specific local contexts.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the findings is supported by the systematic review of a large number of peer-reviewed articles from reputable databases. Validity is enhanced by the focus on established LCA principles, though the review notes limitations in the consistent application and scope of these principles across studies.
Think critically
Given the emphasis on embodied and operational energy, how can designers effectively balance these with other crucial aspects like cost, aesthetics, and occupant well-being?
Design Principles
"Holistic Life Cycle Assessment: Evaluate a product's environmental and social impact from raw material extraction through disposal, considering energy, materials, and social factors."
Understanding the primary contributors to a building's environmental footprint allows designers and engineers to prioritize interventions. Focusing on embodied and operating energy can lead to more impactful sustainable design choices, reducing overall resource depletion and pollution.
What This Means for Your Design
When designing buildings, think about all the energy used to make the materials and all the energy the building will use when people live in it. These are the most important things for making a building sustainable. Also, consider how people are affected and how long the building will last.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the findings on embodied and operational energy to justify material choices or energy-saving strategies in your design project.
- 2.Discuss the limitations of focusing solely on carbon footprint and propose the use of broader impact categories for your design evaluation.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research indicates that embodied energy and operational energy are critical factors in assessing the sustainability of residential buildings. My design project aims to address these by [mention specific design choices, e.g., selecting low-embodied energy materials and incorporating passive solar design principles] to minimize the overall environmental footprint.
Source
Journal of Sustainability Research
A Review of Residential Buildings’ Sustainability Performance Using a Life Cycle Assessment Approach
journal · 2019
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about life cycle assessment reveals embodied energy and operating energy are key drivers of building sustainability?
- Designers should focus on minimizing both embodied and operational energy through material choices and efficient systems, while also considering a broader range of environmental and social impacts and the long-term durability of materials. Evidence: Journal of Sustainability Research (2019).
- Why does "Life Cycle Assessment reveals embodied energy and operating energy are key drivers of building sustainability." matter for design?
- Understanding the primary contributors to a building's environmental footprint allows designers and engineers to prioritize interventions. Focusing on embodied and operating energy can lead to more impactful sustainable design choices, reducing overall resource depletion and pollution.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should focus on minimizing both embodied and operational energy through material choices and efficient systems, while also considering a broader range of environmental and social impacts and the long-term durability of materials.
- What were the main findings?
- Embodied energy and operating energy are major contributors to the environmental and socio-economic objectives of the construction industry.. The 'carbon footprint' is the most commonly used indicator, but a wider range of environmental impact categories is needed to avoid trade-offs.. Social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) requires methodological improvements for better application in the building industry.. The service life of buildings is often approximated, with the quality and durability of materials frequently overlooked in LCA.
- What research method was used?
- Literature Review with 807 research articles.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Journal of Sustainability Research.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a new building or renovating an existing one, conduct a life cycle assessment that quantifies embodied energy, operational energy, and other relevant environmental impacts. Consider the social implications of material sourcing and construction processes, and specify materials known for their durability to extend the building's service life.
- What are the limitations?
- Many studies focused primarily on LCA tools rather than comprehensive sustainability outcomes. The quality of materials and their long-term durability were often not fully integrated into assessments. Social LCA methodologies are still developing.