Life Cycle Assessment for Smart Buildings: Energy-Efficient and Low-Carbon Design

Life Cycle Assessment for Smart Buildings: Energy-Efficient and Low-Carbon Design

Module 1: Foundations of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

• Chapter 1.1: Introduction to Life Cycle Thinking
  • What is LCA?
  • Importance in Sustainability
  • Cradle-to-cradle vs. Cradle-to-grave
• Chapter 1.2: LCA Methodology and Phases
  • Goal & Scope Definition
  • Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)
  • Impact Assessment (LCIA)
  • Interpretation
• Chapter 1.3: Standards and Guidelines
  • ISO 14040/14044
  • EN 15978
  • EPDs for Building Materials

Module 2: Smart Building Technologies and Concepts

• Chapter 2.1: Key Features of Smart Buildings
• Chapter 2.2: Sustainability Challenges with Smart Tech
• Chapter 2.3: Life Cycle Stages of Smart Buildings

Module 3: Energy Performance Across the Building Lifecycle

• Chapter 3.1: Operational Energy Use
• Chapter 3.2: Smart Energy Efficiency Strategies
• Chapter 3.3: On-Site Renewable Energy Systems

Module 4: Carbon Emissions and Life Cycle Stages

• Chapter 4.1: Embodied Carbon in Materials & Construction
• Chapter 4.2: Operational Carbon Emissions
• Chapter 4.3: End-of-Life and Circularity

Module 5: LCA Software Tools and Practical Use

• Chapter 5.1: Introduction to OpenLCA & SimaPro
• Chapter 5.2: Setting Up an LCA Model
• Chapter 5.3: Analysis, Interpretation, and Reporting

Module 6: Case Studies and Decision Support

• Chapter 6.1: Smart Office Building LCA
• Chapter 6.2: Retrofit vs. New Build Comparison
• Chapter 6.3: LCA in Certifications and Design Strategy

~20 hours of video content aligned with weekly modules

• What is LCA? (15 min)
• Four Phases of LCA Explained (30 min)
• Functional Units & Boundaries (25 min)
• Cradle-to-Grave in Construction (30 min)
• ISO Standards & EPDs (30 min)
• Smart Buildings 101 (20 min)
• Tech vs. Sustainability Trade-offs (30 min)
• Lifecycle of Smart Systems (30 min)
• Summary & Link to LCA (20 min)

• Energy Baselines vs. Smart Efficiency (30 min)
• Smart HVAC, Lighting, Controls (30 min)
• Renewable Energy Integration (30 min)
• Embodied Carbon in Construction (45 min)
• Operational Carbon from Energy Use (45 min)
• End-of-Life CO₂ Impacts (30 min)
• Whole-Life Carbon Assessment (60 min)
• Smart vs. Conventional Building Case Study (60 min)

• Intro to LCA Tools (30 min)
• Building an LCA Model (45 min)
• Running Assessments & Results (45 min)
• Sensitivity & Uncertainty Analysis (30 min)
• Smart Office Case Study (45 min)
• Retrofit vs. New Construction (30 min)
• Communicating LCA Results (30 min)
• LCA in LEED & Policy (30 min)
• Final Thoughts & Future Trends (15 min)

Title: Life Cycle Thinking in Smart Construction: Setting the Foundation
Duration: 60 minutes
Focus: Fundamentals of LCA and smart building integration
Guest: Sustainability Consultant / ISO Expert
Interactive: Live system boundary exercise

Title: Operational vs. Embodied Carbon: Making Smart Energy Count
Duration: 75 minutes
Focus: Deep dive on CO₂ emission analysis and trade-offs
Guest: Low-Carbon Design Expert
Interactive: Design decision polls with case data

Title: From Assessment to Action: Using LCA in Real-World Decisions
Duration: 90 minutes
Focus: Applying LCA to projects, policy, and certification
Guest Panel: Architect + Software Developer + Policy Advisor
Interactive: Learner Q&A + model feedback session

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