A life cycle approach to buildings

Sustainable building planning from the outset

A compendium on an essential future topic

The demands made on buildings have risen enormously. Subjects such as climate change, resource conservation, demographic change and value stability have to be considered at an early design stage. Time horizons have also expanded: in addition to the construction phase, design increasingly covers the whole life cycle of buildings, including maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.

This book equips architects and planners with the necessary knowledge to react to these changing requirements. The authors describe the methods of life cycle assessment and life cycle costing and introduce the most important tools for integrated design. Case studies illustrate the practical application of life cycle analysis. This book is also an indispensable tool for everyone involved with sustainability certification of buildings.

• Environmental life cycle assessments of materials, construction elements and buildings
• Calculates and optimises life cycle costs
• Reference projects: life cycle analysis in practice
• Planning tools, databases and tips on calculations