Course Overview
The primary objective of incorporating building circularity and life cycle assessment (LCA) among professionals in the built environment is to mitigate the impact on the natural environment. In this course, we will investigate Design for Disassembly/Adaptability (DfD/A) and investigate where construction materials come from, their path from use through to disposal and identify the current barriers to circularity, and how these barriers can be dismantled. Key points of intervention will be identified where changes to policy and regulation, design, typical construction processes, and waste management can shift the industry into the circular economy. Students will also learn to use the life cycle assessment (LCA) method to evaluate the environmental impact of construction projects from a life cycle perspective. Students will develop a ground-up understanding of LCA based on the International Standard Organization (ISO) 14000 series of environmental management standards and European Standards (EN) sustainability of construction works standards, and how they can be applied to develop low-impact designs and meet requirements for permitting and green building rating programs.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Outline the business case for DfD, including advantages of adaptable and durable buildings, to building owners and other stakeholders over the life of the building
- Design utilizing CSA and ISO standards, and other industry best-practices to increase the deconstructability and adaptability of buildings and infrastructure
- Evaluate the material flows through the building industry, from extraction and manufacture to installation, use, and finally disposal/recycling/reuse, and how to influence this flow to enable highest and best use of these materials
- Compare construction material metabolism in terms of embodied carbon, material life span, and waste
- Outline ISO and EN principles and methodology requirements for conducting a construction product and whole building LCA studies.
- Plan data collection for different LCA study applications and software.
- Evaluate the quality of construction product and whole building LCA studies.
- Interpret LCA results to inform sustainable building designs, meet permitting requirements and obtain recognition from green building rating programs
Effective as of Winter 2024
Related Programs
Principles of Building Circularity and Life Cycle Assessment (BSCI 9180) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Construction and the Environment
- Building Engineering/Building Science
Master of Applied Science Full-time/Part-time
- Building Science
Master of Engineering Full-time/Part-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.