How life cycle assessment is key to reducing carbon emissions in architectural development: Circular economy and regenerative design

In line with population growth and construction, the use of natural resources is increasing, which causes harm to nature, increases greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. As a result, the question arises whether architectural progress, in addition to energy optimization, has paid attention to issues related to building sustainability. In fact, the present research aims to evaluate the differences in energy consumption and compare life cycle assessment (LCA) in the context of the effects of architectural progress with the approach of creating sustainability in architecture. The results showed that architectural development in buildings has reduced CO2e carbon emissions in the energy sector by 1.3 times. However, the sector related to the materials of the modern house is almost 3.5 times more effective on the global warming potential (GWP) than the vernacular house. Nevertheless, after changing and using low-carbon materials, the impact of the material sector on GWP in the modern and vernacular houses decreased by 1.8 and 2.6 times, respectively. In fact, although the use of advanced materials has improved its thermal performance, these materials have increased its overall environmental impact in the GWP section by a factor of 2.9. As a result, the LCA study led to the creation of a regenerative design solution, the substitution of low-carbon materials, along with architectural development regarding energy optimization.