This section includes WBLCA case studies of buildings and building types performed by structural engineers.
- WBLCA of Buildings
- Carbon Leadership Forum:
- LCA of Katerra’s CLT and Catalyst Building
- Athena Sustainable Materials Institute
- Assessing the Carbon-Saving Value of Retrofitting versus Demolition and New Construction at the United Nations Headquarters
- Life Cycle Assessment of UBC Biological Sciences Complex Renew Project
- WBLCA of Building Types
- Court, A. B., Podesto, L., & Harburg-Petrich, P. (2013). “SEAOC LCA Study Comparing Environmental Impacts of Structural Systems.” 2013 SEAOC Convention Proceedings. Paper presented at the SEAOC Convention, San Diego, CA. (pp 137-153).
- Stringer, M., & Comber, M. (2015). “Differences in Embodied Carbon Assessments of Structural Systems.” 2015 SEAOC Convention Proceedings. Paper presented at the SEAOC Convention, Seattle, WA. (pp 131-141)
Case Studies in Carbon Reduction from the University of Bath
Introduction by Glenn Bell
In December 2020 I had a great pleasure to lecture (virtually) in a course entitled Architectural Structures in the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering at the University of Bath in the UK. At Bath students of architecture and structural engineering learn together in a program that stresses climate, (low) carbon, creativity, and collaboration. It is one of the best programs I’ve seen anywhere for preparing creative building structural engineers.
The Architectural Structures course, headed by Professor Tim Ibell, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Design at Bath, includes lectures by invited practicing engineers. The aim is “To develop an appreciation of novel and innovative structural engineering design solutions for a range of specific applications.”
For the course’s final project, students must choose a project designed by a notable living structural engineer and redesign it with the primary goal of reducing its carbon footprint. The students then present their case in a 5-minute video presentation uploaded to YouTube, and then defend their solution in front of their fellow students and the course lecturers.
I attended the final presentations and was astounded by the students’ creativity, grasp of the issues, and professionalism. The strategies for carbon reduction are invaluable for students and practicing professionals as well.
Glenn Bell
President 2020, The Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE
Galletly-Dickson Visiting Scholar, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath
Architectural Structures – 111 West 57th Street
Bosjes Chapel – Architectural Structures – University of Bath
Busan Cinema Center Design Analysis
AR40302 Architectural Structures – K.Ertl
Architectural Structures – Bill Baker (ggvs20)
Rongier – Architectural Structures – Munich Olympic Stadium Roof – Jorg Schlaich
Santiago Calatrava: Athens Olympic Stadium
Shibata’s influence on the design of the Ribbon Chapel