From LCA to circular design: A comparative study of digital tools for the built environment

From LCA to circular design: A comparative study of digital tools for the built environment

People designing a building, with papers and models
Author
Arlind Dervishaj
Kjartan Gudmundsson
Publication Date
January, 2024
Country
Sweden
Language for original content
Scope

This paper reviews digital tools that support the transition to a circular economy in the built environment. 

It explores how computer-aided design, building information modeling and computational plugins can assist architects and engineers in creating more sustainable buildings. While Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) remains the main approach for evaluating environmental impacts, the study highlights other methods and tools that can help assess circular design strategies, such as computational methods to design with reused elements and circularity indicators. The paper identifies both the strengths and limitations of these digital tools. 

This research is useful to academics and to practitioners designing buildings aligned with circular economy principles.