The increasing threat of the climate crisis underscores the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions. Through a critical literature review, this thesis explores the pivotal role of constructions in greenhouse gas emissions and emphasizes the significance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis, particularly focusing on embodied carbon emissions versus operational ones. A case study on office buildings in Italy is undertaken, acknowledging the challenges posed by its typical continuous facade technology and the prevalent presence of systems. The case study, provided by DEERNS ITALIA SpA, furnishes detailed technological and structural calculations, facilitating a high level of depth in analysis. Environmental certifications, in pursuit of the green building concept, generally demand only 'transparency' regarding embodied emissions. Notably, the Zero Carbon certification from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) stands out by imposing ambitious targets aligning with the Paris Agreement. The thesis proposes a gradual methodology to optimize components, starting from those with the highest emissions, with the aim of reaching 500 kgCO2/m2 of gross floor area for modules A1-A5. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to highlight the relative impact of each optimization strategy compared to the national reference scenario. Reducing the impact through informed choices and greener technologies, such as opting for a wooden structure instead of concrete, is illustrated, emphasizing benefits extending beyond the life cycle. Other changes, like replacing external cladding and increasing the percentage of recycled materials, are also scrutinized. For instance, in heavily glazed buildings, the use of low-carbon glass can result in emission reductions of up to 2%. Given that the current accepted mechanism for achieving emission neutrality is compensation, the thesis examines major compensation forms currently available. Finally, an exploration is conducted into the option of reducing the window-to-wall ra-tio in the building envelope, revealing marginal savings in embodied and operational carbon emission but with potential trade-offs impacting well-being related to daylight and views to the outside.
La crescente minaccia della crisi climatica evidenzia l'urgente necessità di ridurre le emissioni di carbonio. Attraverso una revisione critica della letteratura, si esamina il ruolo cruciale delle costruzioni nelle emissioni di gas serra e l'importanza dell'analisi di Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), ponendo l’attenzione alle emissioni di carbonio incorporato rispetto a quelle operative. A tal proposito si affronterà un caso studio a destinazione d’uso uffici in Italia, notando la sfida data dalla sua tipica tecnologia a facciata continua e dalla forte presenza di impianti. Il caso studio fornito da DEERNS ITALIA SpA, nel contesto di un progetto formativo, fornisce dettagliati calcoli tecnologici e strutturali, consentendo un approfondimento elevato. Le certificazioni ambientali, perseguendo il concetto di edificio green, richiedono solo la ’trasparenza’ delle emissioni incorporate: tra tutte, la certificazione Zero Carbon dell’ILFI si distingue imponendo target ambiziosi in linea con l'Accordo di Parigi. La tesi propone una metodologia graduale per ottimizzare le componenti, a partire da quelli a più alte emissioni, mirando a raggiungere 500 kgCO2/m2 di area lorda per i moduli A1-A5. Un'analisi di sensitività evidenzia il peso relativo di ciascuna strategia di ottimizzazione rispetto allo scenario di riferimento nazionale. La riduzione dell'impatto mediante scelte consapevoli e tecnologie innovative, come l'uso di una struttura in legno anziché in calcestruzzo, è illustrata, con i suoi benefici oltre il ciclo di vita. Anche cambiamenti come la sostituzione del rivestimento esterno e l'aumento della percentuale di riciclato in alcuni materiali sono analizzati: per esempio, in edifici fortemente vetrati, l'uso di vetri a basso contenuto di carbonio può ridurre le emissioni fino al 2%. Poiché al momento l’unico meccanismo ammesso per arrivare alla neutralità delle emissioni è compensarle, verranno esaminate anche le principali forme di compensazione ad oggi disponibili. Infine, si esplora l'opzione di ridurre la percentuale vetrata dell’involucro, rivelando come a fronte di una leggera diminuzione sul benessere legato al daylight e alla vista verso l'esterno, ci siano risparmi marginali di emissioni operative e incorporate.
Strategie di riduzione dell'impatto ambientale di un edificio per uffici.
Michelucci, Monica
2022/2023
Abstract
The increasing threat of the climate crisis underscores the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions. Through a critical literature review, this thesis explores the pivotal role of constructions in greenhouse gas emissions and emphasizes the significance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis, particularly focusing on embodied carbon emissions versus operational ones. A case study on office buildings in Italy is undertaken, acknowledging the challenges posed by its typical continuous facade technology and the prevalent presence of systems. The case study, provided by DEERNS ITALIA SpA, furnishes detailed technological and structural calculations, facilitating a high level of depth in analysis. Environmental certifications, in pursuit of the green building concept, generally demand only 'transparency' regarding embodied emissions. Notably, the Zero Carbon certification from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) stands out by imposing ambitious targets aligning with the Paris Agreement. The thesis proposes a gradual methodology to optimize components, starting from those with the highest emissions, with the aim of reaching 500 kgCO2/m2 of gross floor area for modules A1-A5. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to highlight the relative impact of each optimization strategy compared to the national reference scenario. Reducing the impact through informed choices and greener technologies, such as opting for a wooden structure instead of concrete, is illustrated, emphasizing benefits extending beyond the life cycle. Other changes, like replacing external cladding and increasing the percentage of recycled materials, are also scrutinized. For instance, in heavily glazed buildings, the use of low-carbon glass can result in emission reductions of up to 2%. Given that the current accepted mechanism for achieving emission neutrality is compensation, the thesis examines major compensation forms currently available. Finally, an exploration is conducted into the option of reducing the window-to-wall ra-tio in the building envelope, revealing marginal savings in embodied and operational carbon emission but with potential trade-offs impacting well-being related to daylight and views to the outside.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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2023_12_Michelucci_Tesi_01.pdf
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Descrizione: testo della tesi
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2023_12_Michelucci_Executive Summary_02.pdf
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Descrizione: Executive summary
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/215050