The environment demands a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as building and construction are responsible for more than 40% of the energy consumed worldwide and 30% of the world’s GHG emissions. Many countries have aligned themselves with the Paris agreement, following its target of achieving net zero carbon emissions, although some governments are focused on the operational energy efficiency part of the equation instead of the whole equation. This study emphasizes the significance of incorporating the minimization of embodied emissions into all parts of the building, with a focus on the measurement of embodied carbon, concepts of its management and strategies proposed and enacted for mitigation. As estimate is an important part of any debate, the measurement approach covers the uncertainty analysis from diverse points of view through a novel approach; management covers the early design tools, and the significance of the lifecycle stages; mitigation covers the reduction strategies of embodied carbon, although reduction in embodied carbon is a subjective topic and depends on region. The analysis covers the ideal approaches for mitigation irrespective of the region.
The construction sector is responsible for the 40% of consumed resources, 40% of CO2 emissions, and approximately 40% of construction and demolition waste. For the assessment of the building, there exists a standardized method, life cycle assessment (LCA), however, the process requires time, cost, and most importantly expertise. In this paper, a method is proposed and analyzed for the life cycle assessment of the building for the embodied carbon in the three stages, construction, operation, and demolition. Moreover, the result of the analysis is considered as the base result, and de-carbonization strategies identified through literature study for the three stages of construction, operation, and demolition are assessed with the same method to know how much each strategy will be effective in minimizing the embodied carbon. For the base case, a high-rise residential building in an urban region of India is analyzed, based on existing conditions through the building information modeling (BIM) method. The carbon emission of the selected building comes out to be 414 kg CO2e/m2/year, and assessing different decarbonization strategies, considering the first analysis as the baseline, it can be minimized to 135 kg CO2e/m2/year.
1 January 2023 in Facta universitatis - series: Architecture and Civil Engineering
One of the design challenges that architects and designers encounter during the creation and design stage of structural concepts is the parametric optimization of an architectural object's form. It is a very time-consuming and difficult process to evaluate a building's energy performance as a design consideration in the early design stages. To solve performance-related design issues, a number of tools and techniques have been created during the past few decades, primarily employing multi-objective optimization algorithms. The ability to dynamically control geometry and components using parametric modeling enables the designer to simultaneously evaluate several alternatives. The system research in the fields of architecture and urban planning aims to provide the energy efficiency of a design while enhancing its performance features. Theorists' perspectives have recently overlapped and diverged over how to strike a balance between technological capabilities and environmental factors in order to create an objective architecture in terms of performance that is unconcerned with form without content. All of these factors combined to create a modern architecture that is conceptually distinct from earlier tendencies seen before the advent of digital technology. In this paper, the relationship between the parametric architecture and environmental friendliness on building design has been explored. In order to analyze the theoretical study data, this research paper aims to elucidate the key elements of parametric architecture. This paper also reviews the utilization of cutting-edge implementation techniques, contemporary building materials and digital design approaches resulted from the parametric design in the growth of architectural philosophy.
1 January 2022 in Facta universitatis - series: Architecture and Civil Engineering
In a novel way, modern architecture has a great influence and impact on present-day contemporary architecture. Since the late 1980s, ?minimalism in architecture has been taken into consideration. Less is more is emphasized, which adheres to the philosophy of filling the space with the necessary items and clearing unneeded clutter to allow room for significant materials and objects. With simple shapes and clear lines, a neutral color scheme, and plain textures, minimalism exudes calm. Minimalism is about eliminating life's excesses. We can find freedom, contentment, and the ability to concentrate on what matters most. Whether it was during the sustainable era or in the twenty-first century, minimalism is adopting the conventional "less is more" way of life. In addition to displaying a wide range of hues, architecture is a form of art. Iranian architecture embodies historical grandeur and devotion, a commitment to religious education, and a rejection of materialism. It is a product of Islamic civilization. However, recycling well-known architectural features like minarets, courtyards, and mashrabiya frequently runs afoul of modern trends in architecture, which are not necessarily opposed to the fundamentals of Islamic architecture. Minimalism is regarded as a fundamental resource and an alternative to the present standard aesthetic. In order to draw designers with sustainable goals' attention to the relationships between minimalism and sustainability, the following questions are briefly addressed in this paper. How does minimalist design work? What does minimalist design entail? Is the minimalist style the best style for environmentally friendly architecture? This paper tries to attempt to examine a minimalist aesthetic for sustainable building and design. This paper discusses a comprehensive overview and analysis of minimalism and its guiding principles in architecture. It also continues by outlining the features and minimalistic foundations of Islamic architecture.
31 March 2023 in International Journal of Architecture and Urbanism
One of the key issues in twentieth-century architecture is the energy problem and daily rise in environmental pollution brought on by the creation of greenhouse gases, particularly in the construction industry. The purpose of the research that follows is to investigate how well buildings heat up while also updating double-skinned facades to ensure thermal comfort for the residents while using the least amount of energy possible. The thoughtful design of a building's exterior is one of the most crucial ways to conserve energy in that structure. The finest choice for controlling the interplay between the interior and exterior spaces is a ‘double-skin facade’. Double-skin facades have been used more frequently recently to increase transparency in both building renovations and new construction. Although glare issues may worsen, double-skin facades improve lighting levels and the outside view. When comparing a typical glass facade to one with an additional layer of glazing, it is possible to reduce heat loss and outside noise. A very critical concern appears to be the protection of external solar shading devices against wind and deterioration. This paper reviews and discusses the earlier research on double-skin building facade systems. The evaluation of a double-skin facade system for long-term building envelope or infrastructure development is the main theme of the paper.
2 December 2025 in City, Territory and Architecture
Contemporary architectural practice often emphasizes efficiency, innovation, and functionality, yet the growing pressures of urbanization and environmental