Lecture 2: Life cycle assessment, certification and life cycle management

Abstract

In this lecture, Dr. Kohler examines how architects and policy makers evaluate the overall impact of architectural projects on the environment. Dr. Kohler emphasizes the complications that arise when we attempt to convert the holistic concept of sustainable development into quantifiable criteria for use in ratings systems. He discusses Life Cycle Analysis— which considers the resources consumed by a building project from the harvesting/manufacturing of the raw materials through the design and construction of the building, through the operation and maintenance of the building over time, and finally to the building's eventual demolition and deconstruction— and he explains how Building Information Modeling (BIM) is used to create a comprehensive estimate of the impact of an architectural project over its lifetime.