What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in green architecture?

• A. A method to measure construction costs only
• B. A quick screening of energy use
• C. A method to evaluate environmental impacts of a product or building over its entire life cycle from cradle to grave
• D. A measure of indoor air quality

Answer: (D)

Life Cycle Assessment in green architecture is a method to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product or building over its entire life cycle from cradle to grave. It looks at every stage—raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, construction, use and maintenance, and end-of-life disposal or recycling—and accounts for all inputs and outputs, such as energy, materials, emissions, and waste. This holistic view lets designers compare options and aim for the lowest overall environmental footprint, rather than just measuring energy use or costs. It’s broader than indoor air quality because it considers environmental effects across the whole life span of the product or building, not just the air inside a particular space.