Combining parametric life cycle assessment (LCA) and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) for developing sustainable residential neighborhoods

Purpose: In addressing global challenges like climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss, planners encounter heightened complexity, necessitating environmentally-conscious architectural design. Adopting a proactive stance toward positive impacts rather than mere harm reduction expands the scope of possibilities. Embracing the principles of Positive Buildings and Regenerative Design across six dimensions - Society, Energy, Material, Green, Water, and Mobility - facilitates a holistic approach. Methods: Employing the “Research by Design” methodology, this study develops architectural designs for a German residential project. Assessment involves life cycle analysis and building performance simulations utilizing Rhino Grasshopper with Dragonfly and Colibri plugins. Employing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), the utility analysis method concurrently considers eleven criteria to select the optimal design alternative in terms of Energy and Material. Results: The outcomes highlight the effectiveness of utility analysis in supporting MCDM for architectural decision-making, revealing that wood-light structures outperform mineral ones in ecological performance. Furthermore, parametric optimization identifies key parameters influencing energy demand, including energy system, electricity mix, credit from photovoltaic systems, and construction type. Conclusions: Overall, the synergy of “Research by Design” and MCDM enhances the planning process for architecturally sustainable projects, emphasizing the need for continued consideration and integration of additional aspects in the decision-making process for truly holistic outcomes.