Why measuring embodied carbon and circularity matter; a case study of a mid-rise residential development

Reducing embodied carbon in construction is critical as it can account for up to 50% of a building's lifecycle carbon emissions. With new regulations pushing for stringent embodied carbon reductions, early design decisions focusing on embodied carbon and end-of-life (EoL) circularity are essential. Planning for circularity through material recovery and reusing components helps reduce both operational and embodied carbon emissions, leading to more sustainable buildings over the lifecycle.

Case Study: Residential Development in Brampton, Ontario

To better understand the role of embodied carbon and circularity in new construction projects, we conducted a comprehensive lifecycle and circularity assessment for a proposed mid-rise residential development in Brampton, Ontario. Using Adaptis' advanced product, we analyzed the building's entire lifecycle focusing on operational and embodied carbon emissions, circularity potential, and pragmatic end-of-life options.

Operational Carbon

The Adaptis platform analyzed the baseline design provided by the building owner against multiple design combinations, optimizing HVAC systems, water heating, and envelope improvements to identify an optimal design that reduced annual operational carbon emissions from 22.8 tCO2 to 7.2 tCO2—a savings of 68% over the building lifecycle.

Embodied Carbon

The embodied carbon assessment of material combinations of the baseline design showed a total of 618 tCO2e, with concrete contributing 37%, steel & aluminum 8%, and wood by-products 23%.

Embodied carbon emissions over time

Circularity Assessment

The circularity assessment focused on potential material recovery strategies and end-of-life options to reduce emissions further. By planning for waste diversion, we achieved a potential 10% reduction in emissions, bringing the total emissions across production, construction, use, and optimal end-of-life to 560 tCO2e. Implementing deconstruction techniques for resource recovery, such as reusing or recycling materials, can generate an additional reduction of 203 tCO2e in emissions at the end of the building’s life. This resulted in a net embodied carbon emission of 357 tCO2e, a total of 42% reduction in emissions only possible through planning for material recovery and circularity.

Embodied carbon emissions savings through material recovery

Key Takeaways

• Early material and design choices have a significant impact on carbon footprints.

• Designing for disassembly and material recovery helps reduce emissions and conserve resources.

• Addressing both operational and embodied carbon ensures a holistic approach to sustainability.

  
  

What sets us apart We are able to seamlessly integrate circularity assessment into building decarbonization strategies, an often-overlooked yet critical aspect of reducing carbon emissions and waste. Our advanced software streamlines the complex process of evaluating end-of-life and resource recovery options, unlocking additional savings and circular pathways for both new construction and existing buildings.