A Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a powerful tool used to measure the complete environmental impact of a building project. It evaluates the carbon footprint and other environmental effects throughout a building's life, across four key stages: production, use, end-of-life, and beyond. Below are three examples of how LCAs can guide decisions for more sustainable building projects.
An architect designing an eco-friendly office building can use LCA during the design phase to guide material choices. By inputting data into LCA software, the architect can compare the environmental impact of materials like concrete, cross-laminated timber (CLT), and recycled steel. For instance, CLT may offer a lower carbon footprint than traditional materials, helping the architect make data-driven decisions that balance sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
A developer planning a new apartment complex can use LCA to optimize the building’s energy efficiency and reduce its overall carbon footprint. By analyzing design elements such as insulation, HVAC systems, and glazing, the developer can select options that minimize both operational energy use and embodied carbon. This allows for an informed decision that balances energy savings, lower emissions, and financial return over the building’s life cycle.
An engineer selecting insulation for an energy-efficient office building can use LCA to evaluate the environmental trade-offs between materials like extruded polystyrene (XPS) and cellulose fiber. XPS may offer better thermal performance but has higher embodied carbon, while cellulose fiber has a lower environmental impact. LCA helps the engineer weigh these factors and choose the most sustainable option for long-term environmental benefits.
By using LCA, architects, developers, and engineers can make informed decisions that reduce the environmental impact of their building projects from start to finish.
Together Symetri and One Click LCA support your decarbonization journey, read the full article here.
Optimising BIM and digital tools in architecture and engineering is revolutionising the industry. By integrating technologies like AI, cloud computing, and data analytics, professionals can enhance collaboration, reduce errors, and streamline workflows. In this blog, we'll explore how leveraging these tools can lead to more efficient and successful project outcomes.
Consultant James Lodge explores what’s new in Autodesk Inventor Professional 2026. Including smarter workflows, a modern UI, enhanced sheet metal tools, and improved Revit interoperability to boost performance and cross-team collaboration.
In this blog, our Principal Consultant, Geoff Alder, continues his long-standing tradition of tracking the latest updates in AutoCAD and sharing insights here at Symetri. With the release of AutoCAD 2026, the focus shifts toward refining the user experience and boosting productivity. Key highlights include enhanced learning tools through AutoCAD Foundations, improved collaboration via Connected Support files, and smarter workflows with updates to Activity Insights, Markup Import, and Markup Assist. Smart Blocks get a boost with new Search and Convert, and Detect and Convert features. Plus, a noteworthy addition in this release is the new Layer Option for CENTRELINE and CENTREMARK.