Embodied and Operational Decarbonization Trade-Offs in the Building Envelope

Some of the most efficient building envelope design strategies for reducing operational carbon involve increasing the enclosure assemblies’ thermal performance and requiring highly airtight systems. However, we are only starting to understand the trade-offs between operational and embodied decarbonization. To evaluate the trade-offs, this session will directly compare wall assemblies in a high-performance new construction building and wall assemblies in common existing building typologies. This session will also explore the potential opportunities of cutting-edge biogenic building materials and their potential to advance decarbonization.

Session Chair(s): 

Event Time: 

Thursday, October 12, 2023 - 10:30am to 11:30am

Room / Location: 

Club Parlor

CEU Information: 

Approved for 1 credit hour toward AIA (LU), BPI, GBCI (BD+C, ID+C), and BOC certification. Credit is offered for the full conference day toward NARI, PHI, Phius, and RESNET certification.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify resources that can help determine embodied carbon
  • Using appropriate resources, calculate a specific project’s embodied carbon
  • Identify construction methods and materials that can lower embodied carbon impacts
  • Employ known strategies for reducing operational carbon in both new high-performance construction and historic building retrofits

Session ID: 

NYC23-221