Recent research emphasizes the potential environmental benefits of increasing the average lifespan of buildings.
This shift, coupled with a 20% reduction in building size, could reduce carbon emissions from these structures by two-thirds, according to Urban embodied carbon assessment: methodology and insights from analyzing over a million buildings in Chicago, by Slavash Ghorbany and Ming Hu. The study highlights how design strategies focusing on longevity and right-sizing can offer profound environmental impacts, helping to mitigate both embodied and operational carbon emissions, critical components of the building sector's climate footprint.
What are the Differences Between Embodied and Operational Carbon?
Buildings generate carbon emissions throughout their life cycle—from material extraction and construction (embodied carbon) to energy consumption during operation (operational carbon). Operational emissions can be mitigated over time with energy-efficient upgrades, but embodied carbon is “locked in” at the time of construction, making it critical to address upfront. In fact, embodied carbon currently represents about half of the building sector's total emissions, and as buildings become more energy-efficient, the relative importance of these upfront emissions increases.
The study underscores that extending the service life of buildings delays the need for new construction, directly reducing emissions associated with material extraction, manufacturing, and transportation. It also helps reduce waste and curbs emissions linked to demolition and disposal processes. The research suggests that this strategy becomes even more potent when combined with a thoughtful reduction in building size, aligning spaces with actual needs without compromising functionality.
Benefits of Extending Building Lifespan
Longer-lasting buildings offer several environmental and economic benefits. First, by reducing the frequency of demolition and reconstruction, material demand decreases, lowering the need for high-carbon materials like concrete and steel. Cement, for example, is one of the most carbon-intensive materials, contributing nearly 8% of global carbon emissions. A longer building lifespan spreads the carbon footprint over more years, reducing annual emissions significantly.
In addition, focusing on durability encourages better-quality construction, incentivizing the use of sustainable materials and technologies. A longer service life reduces the cumulative environmental impact of periodic renovations and replacements, minimizing waste and disruptions.
The Power of Right-Sizing: Reducing Building Size by 20%
Reducing building size by 20% further amplifies these benefits. Smaller structures not only require fewer materials but also reduce energy demand for heating, cooling, and lighting. This leads to lower operational emissions over the building’s lifespan. Architects and urban planners can leverage modular designs and multi-functional spaces to ensure smaller buildings remain efficient and comfortable for occupants.
Downsizing also offers economic advantages, as smaller projects tend to have lower construction and maintenance costs. Developers may find these savings align with environmental goals, especially as regulations evolve to promote low-carbon construction practices.
Complementary Strategies: Adaptive Reuse and Efficient Design
Increasing building longevity and reducing size are just two strategies in a broader movement toward sustainable construction. Adaptive reuse —repurposing old buildings for new uses—offers a way to avoid demolition altogether. This approach reduces embodied carbon while preserving historical or cultural value. Similarly, whole-building life cycle assessments (WBLCA) can guide designers to minimize carbon footprints by choosing low-emission materials and optimizing structural systems.
Emerging technologies also hold promise. For example, using mass timber instead of steel in construction can reduce embodied carbon, as timber sequesters carbon throughout its lifecycle. Advances in carbon capture and clinker-free cement alternatives may further reduce the emissions associated with key building materials.
Preparing for a Low-Carbon Future
Policymakers and industry leaders are increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing embodied carbon. Certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, and the Living Building Challenge now emphasize whole-building assessments to encourage sustainable construction practices. Some jurisdictions are introducing carbon taxes and procurement policies to incentivize low-emission designs.
Extending building lifespan and reducing size align with these broader trends, helping developers future-proof their projects against emerging regulations. These strategies also resonate with global efforts to keep warming below 1.5°C, as they reduce emissions locked into the built environment.
The study concludes that strategic changes in the building sector, such as increasing lifespans to 75 or 80 years and reducing building size by 20%, can have a transformative impact, slashing carbon emissions by two-thirds. These approaches exemplify how thoughtful design choices can reduce both embodied and operational carbon, providing a pathway toward a more sustainable future. As construction continues to expand worldwide, implementing these strategies becomes essential in meeting climate goals and creating resilient urban environments.
GPRS Services Support Building Remodels
By adopting longer lifespans and right-sized designs, the building industry can play a crucial role in reducing global emissions, setting a precedent for sustainability that benefits both the planet and future generations.
GPRS supports building remodels and renovations through our comprehensive suite of subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation, and construction & facilities project management services. From skyscrapers to sewer lines, we Intelligently Visualize The Built World® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is GPRS able to distinguish between different types of underground utilities when conducting a private utility locate?
In most situations, we can identify the utility in question without any problems, although it is not always possible to determine what type of utility is present. When this happens, we attempt to trace the utility to a valve, meter, control box, or other signifying markers to determine the type of utility buried.
What types of concrete scanning does GPRS provide?
GPRS provides two specific but different scanning services: elevated concrete slab scanning and concrete slab-on-grade locating. Elevated concrete slab scanning involves detecting embedded electrical conduits, rebar, post-tension cables, and more before core drilling a hole through the slab. Performing a concrete slab-on-grade locating service typically involves scanning a trench line for conduits before conducting saw cutting and trenching to install a sanitary pipe, water line, or something similar.
