In early 2023, Denmark marked a notable milestone by implementing stringent regulations aimed at monitoring and mitigating emissions within its construction industry, establishing a noteworthy global precedent. The progressively stricter emission thresholds have sparked inquiries into the reduction of embodied carbon.
One Click LCA has expertly synthesized a collection of highly impactful strategies into a concise set of 10 practical design principles, offering actionable guidelines for sustainable construction. For an in-depth exploration, refer to the original article by One Click LCA.
10 Climate-Conscious Building Design Principles
Crafting environmentally responsible buildings demands a shift in design philosophy. To significantly reduce a structure’s climate impact, adhere to these 10 key principles:
- Longevity Over Short-Term: Build for permanence, not fleeting trends. Optimize life-cycle impacts over a 60-year span. Design adaptable or modular structures to accommodate evolving needs, reducing carbon emissions and waste via durable materials.
- Structural Efficiency: Explore lighter alternatives like timber frames. Embrace wood structures where viable, substantially curbing embodied impacts in most projects.
- Streamlined Form: Opt for compact, uncomplicated shapes to minimize material and energy use, enhancing overall efficiency.
- Slimmer Slabs, Greener Envelopes: Trim slab thickness by 10 cm to cascade into envelope height reduction, conserving materials and energy.
- Parking Paradigm: Eliminate separate parking structures by lifting buildings on pillars, creating space underneath. This approach conserves resources and bolsters parking efficiency.
- Adaptive Partitions: Employ reusable, movable internal walls to navigate evolving floor plan dynamics, reducing the need for structural modifications.
- Value-Driven Design: Dissect elements by their utility. Discard aesthetic-focused layers in floorings, ceilings, and facades to streamline resource allocation.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Prioritize low-carbon, sustainable materials, and leverage life cycle assessments to ensure responsible choices.
- Energy-Wise Integration: Infuse energy-efficient systems, renewable sources, and smart technologies to curtail consumption and emissions.
- Collaboration for Impact: Harness tools like One Click LCA tailored for Danish climate standards. Engage in platforms like BIM Word Copenhagen to deliberate on these principles and innovative solutions.
Together, these directives forge a path toward climate-sensitive architectural practices. One Click LCA‘s BR 18 compliant Danish LCA tools and participation in Nordic Digital Construction | BIM World Copenhagen, September 19-20, further facilitate discussions on integrating these principles. By embracing these commandments, we shape buildings that harmonize with nature and stand as benchmarks of sustainability.
One Click LCA is partner at Nordic Digital Construction | BIM World Copenhagen, and this article is published in coorperation with One Click LCA.
