Dynamic relationship between embodied and operational impacts of buildings

Abstract

Purpose Buildings and their construction activities consume a significant proportion of mineral resources excavated from nature and contribute a large percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere. As a way of improving the sustainability of building construction and operation, various sustainable design appraisal standards have been developed across nations. Albeit criticism of the appraisal standards, evidence shows that increasing sustainability of the built environment has been engendered by such appraisal tools as Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficacy, among others. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the appraisal standards in engendering whole lifecycle environmental sustainability of the built environment. Design/methodology/approach In order to evaluate the adequacy of sustainability scores assigned to various lifecycle stages of buildings in the appraisal standards, four case studies of a block of classroom were modelled. Using Revit as a modelling platform, stage by stage lifecycle environmental impacts of the building were simulated through Green Building Studio and ATHENA Impact estimator. The resulting environmental impacts were then compared against the assessment score associated with each stage of building lifecycle in BREAAM and CfSH. Findings Results show that albeit the consensus that the appraisal standards engender sustainability practices in the AEC industry, total scores assigned to impacts at each stage of building lifecycle is disproportionate to the simulated whole-life environmental impacts associated with the stages in some instances. Originality/value As the study reveals both strengths and weaknesses in the existing sustainability appraisal standards, measures through which they can be tailored to resource efficiency and lifecycle environmental sustainability of the built environment are suggested.

The Importance of Sustainability Implementation for Business Corporations

“…A sustainable environment seeks to improve human welfare by protecting the sources of raw materials used for human needs and mitigating harm to humans (Ajayi, Oyedele, & Jamiu, 2019;Ilhan & Banu Yobas, 2019;Razali, 2018;Zaid & Zainon, 2019). The environment perspective or also known as the ecological dimension is mostly illustrated as global warming prevention.…”

“…Masalskyte, Andelin, Sarasoja, & Ventovuori (2014) recount that the social dimension of a sustainable building includes a healthy and comfortable working environment, employee engagement to sustainability-related activities, promotion of employee satisfaction, and working efficiency. Other than that, most research reveals that sustainable buildings manifest social benefits through improved safety and health (Lu & Taylor, 2018) that directly enhance the quality of life (Ajayi et al, 2019) and promotes a healthy life (Zhang, Kang, & Jin, 2018). Eichholtz & Kok (2018) and Rogerson (2014) experience reduced number of employee sick leave days and reduced staff turnover.…”

“…In relation to the community, generally corporations embed corporate social responsibility initiatives to ensure the community is able to gain benefits from corporate sustainability. Ajayi et al (2019) recap that sustainable initiatives aim to support communities.…”

The Crossfire of Corporate Real Estate Sustainable Management With Corporate Sustainable Objectives in Malaysia

“…This is in accordance with Kamaruzzamana et al, 2019;Shurrab et al, 2019;Støre-Valen and Buser, 2019, who found that a reduction of energy use contributed to environmental sustainability. Ajayi et al (2019), Chang and Devine (2019), and Ilhan and Banu Yobas (2019) also found that energy efficiency implementation reduces the impact on the environment, as well as producing local and global environmental benefits (Omer, 2014).…”

Changing significance of embodied energy: A comparative study of material specifications and building energy sources

“…Increasing consideration of embodied impacts of building materials is therefore expected of sustainable design appraisal systems such as BREEAM, as well as building regulations, as they remain the essential tools for driving sustainability in the built environment. This is especially important as a recent analysis by Ajayi et al (2019) suggests that sustainable design appraisal tools have not been doing enough to drive the required reduction in embodied energy of buildings.…”