Case studies and life-cycle assessment comparisons

With the introduction of green building labels such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), German quality label for sustainable construction (DGNB) and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), life-cycle assessment (LCA) has become an integral part of the sustainability assessment of buildings. The evaluation and DGNB labeling of industrial buildings started in 2009 and requires LCA evaluations for these types of buildings. The comparison of building envelopes with different thermal properties shows also the importance of considering the entire life cycle and not just the production stage. Buildings are usually designed for a long period of use, so the decisions made during the planning and construction phase should be taken into account. The evaluation of office buildings in terms of fire protection is often carried out in accordance with the respective national building regulations. Low rise office buildings using steel and composite construction are economical.