Assessing Environmental Impact of the Built Environment by Adopting Life Cycle Design: Using Swanton Pacific Ranch as a Case Study

Author

Hope E. Springer, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

Springer, Hope E., "Assessing Environmental Impact of the Built Environment by Adopting Life Cycle Design: Using Swanton Pacific Ranch as a Case Study" (2023). Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Management Projects. Paper 45.
https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/nres_rpt/45

Date of Award

9-2023

Degree Name

MS in Environmental Sciences and Management

Department

Natural Resources Management

College

College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Advisor

Dr. Yiwen Chiu

Advisor Department

Natural Resources Management

Advisor College

College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Abstract

To combat the carbon emissions contributed to the atmosphere by the built environment, it is imperative that low-embodied-carbon materials choices be prioritized throughout the building design process. To achieve this, this professional project creates an Excel-based, open source, and user-friendly tool for the construction sector to make design decisions that prioritize the sustainability of structures, as one such tool does not currently exist. The use of OpenLCA software and the EcoInvent34 database are utilized to calculate the environmental impact of 25 different building materials, as well as energy and electricity consumption. Swanton Pacific Ranch (SPR) in Santa Cruz County is utilized as a case study site. This is accomplished through the comparison of two hypothetical structures to test the validity and user-friendliness of the excel-based tool, and make edits and improvements as needed based on feedback. From this process, the benefits of the tool, as well as areas for its continued improvement are discussed.