Research Seminar: CO₂ as a design parameter – reducing climate impacts in the construction sector using LCA
This seminar covers the fundamentals of applied life cycle assessment (LCA) and its use in the climate-focused evaluation of building components in the refurbishment of existing buildings. Using real refurbishment projects as examples, the global warming potentials of roof, external wall and ceiling structures are examined. The grey emissions from retained and newly installed building materials, as well as biogenic carbon sequestration, are recorded and compared. In this way, CO₂ hotspots can be identified and the potential for reducing emissions through the preservation of existing structures and the use of biogenic materials can be highlighted. The building component structures are assessed, optimised in terms of their emissions impact during the design phase, and subsequently visualised, evaluated and discussed for comparison. The aim of the seminar is to use applied life cycle assessment as a tool for developing climate-effective design strategies.
The Building Science and Technology Chair offers a Stegreif to accompany the seminar on the thermal performance of the building component structures under investigation, which serves as a useful thematic supplement and is therefore mandatory for all seminar participants.
The seminar is also open to students who speak only English.
Lecturer: Elena Boerman
Regular Meeting: Fri 11:30 Uhr, Bldg. 11.40, R 026
First Meeting: 30.10.2026
Submission: 12.02.2027
