What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) used for in Green Architecture?

• A. To calculate project budget
• B. To evaluate environmental impacts of a material or product across its life cycle.
• C. To assess structural integrity
• D. To determine occupancy comfort

Answer: (B)

Life Cycle Assessment in Green Architecture is about measuring the environmental footprint of a material or product from start to finish. It looks at every stage—raw material extraction, manufacturing, transport, use, and end-of-life—and tracks factors like energy use, emissions, resource depletion, and waste. This information helps designers compare options and choose materials and systems that minimize overall environmental impact, support reuse and recycling, and reduce embodied energy. Other analyses focus on cost, structural integrity, or occupant comfort, which is why LCA is the best tool for evaluating environmental performance across a product’s life cycle. For example, when choosing between materials for a wall or insulation, LCA reveals which option lowers total environmental impact over the building’s life, not just upfront price or strength.