"Life Cycle Assessment in Architectural Energy Planning: A Review of Methodologies and Tools"

This paper presents a comprehensive overview and critical analysis of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies and tools pertinent to architectural energy planning, with a focus on sustainable design practices. Through a systematic review, it elucidates the fundamental principles of LCA, delineating its application across the life cycle of architectural projects from material extraction to end-of-life disposal. Various methodologies, including process-based and hybrid approaches, are examined in terms of their suitability for assessing environmental impacts in diverse architectural contexts. The review encompasses an evaluation of prominent LCA tools such as SimaPro, GaBi, OpenLCA, Athena Impact Estimator, and Tally, elucidating their functionalities, strengths, and limitations in facilitating LCA analyses within architectural frameworks. Furthermore, the paper discusses prevalent challenges such as data availability, methodological complexity, and regional variations, while also addressing emerging trends such as integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM), dynamic LCA, and the utilization of artificial intelligence. In conclusion, the paper delineates future trajectories for LCA in architectural energy planning, advocating for enhanced data accessibility, standardized methodologies, and user-friendly tools to bolster sustainable architectural practices and inform decision-making processes.

Keywords:

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) , Architectural energy planning , Sustainable design , LCA methodologies , LCA tools