Parametric Approach to Simplified Life Cycle Assessment of Bamboo Frame Buildings

Abstract

The provision of sustainable housing solutions is one of the main challenges in emerging economy countries. Furthermore, it is clear that a sustainable solution should be based on renewable bio-based materials. The scientific and practical evidence clearly suggests that the use of bamboo in the provision of housing solutions not only brings environmental but also socio-economic benefits to the communities using these strategies. One barrier to the promotion of this type of solution is the lack of knowledge for its structural design and environmental performance. Moreover, the access to assessment tools and methodologies to carry out such assessments is limited. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is widely recognized as the most appropriate method to calculate environmental impacts through a product’s life cycle. LCA is methodologically described on the ISO series 14040 and proposes an input-output relationship between the environment and human activity. LCA has been used in research with many case studies focusing on the built environment and especially on buildings. Nevertheless, the practical application of LCA is very limited, especially in the affordable housing sector. Two main reasons had been identified, first the development of LCAs is data and time intensive and second the cost of software or third-party assessment makes the implementation of LCA on affordable housing projects unviable. The use of simplified LCA has shown great potential to solve these challenges but the generation of life cycle inventory data remains a main issue hindering its implementation of user-friendly tools. On this paper, we describe the development of a methodological approach to use parametric design to generate the data required to carry out simplified life cycle assessment of bamboo-based buildings. Moreover, we present a case study assessing a housing unit using cement-bamboo frame technology developed by the NGO Base-Bahay in the Philippines. From these experiences, it can be concluded that parametric design is a valid approach to overcome the main identified challenges. In addition, this approach requires further development to cover additional design features like wind, earthquake, and soil quality demands. With this work, we show that the complexity of LCA can be reduced. Finally, the use of parametric approaches enables the development of cost-effective solutions that can increase access to this kind of assessment in the affordable housing sector.