Understanding Material Lifecycles to Inform Smarter Decisions
AIAU26-MAT02
Included in subscription
2
LU|HSW
Course expires on: 04/01/2029
Included in subscription
2
LU|HSW
Description
Material performance is shaped across extraction, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life pathways. Architects are increasingly expected to understand how these lifecycle stages influence human health, ecosystems, and climate outcomes when selecting building materials. This course introduces practical lifecycle thinking for evaluating and comparing building products using established documentation. You’ll learn how to interpret lifecycle assessment (LCA) results and use Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Health Product Declarations (HPDs), and ingredient transparency documentation to evaluate measurable impacts. You’ll also explore how different carbon types—embodied, operational, avoided, and sequestered—affect material decisions and broader project goals.
After completing this course, you’ll be able to assess lifecycle tradeoffs, compare material options more confidently, and apply design strategies that support reuse, material durability, and reduced environmental impact.
Learning Objectives
Interpret lifecycle assessment results to compare material options.
Use EPDs, HPDs, and ingredient transparency documentation in evaluation.
Differentiate embodied, operational, avoided, and sequestered carbon impacts.
Assess lifecycle tradeoffs affecting human or environmental outcomes.
Acknowledgements
- Gabi Dwyer, MBA, LEED Green Associate, WELL AP | BEYOND at HLW
- Tanya Eagle, LEED Fellow, AICP, Assoc. AIA, WELL AP | JLL
- Michelle Granick, AIA | Prellwitz Chilinski Associates, Inc.
- Erin Heidelberger, AIA | KPF
- Heidi Jandris, Assoc. AIA | Block Design Collective – BDC
- Guanzhou Ji, PhD | Northeastern University
- Teresa McGrath, Chief Research Officer | Habitable
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