DesignLCA

Overview

DesignLCA is a 100% BIM-based LCA tool that estimates the climate impact from architectural and landscaping projects. The calculation includes CO₂-eq from building materials, heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, as well as transportation and resource consumption on the construction site.

A practical LCA tool

This makes DesignLCA a practical tool that gives architects, landscape architects, and other consultants an understanding of the climate impact of building and landscape projects from the very earliest conceptual stages, where design and creative decisions have the greatest influence on the project’s overall carbon footprint. DesignLCA also supports landscape architecture projects giving landscape architects an overview of the climate footprint of their landscape projects.

Key Capabilities

DesignLCA

• Enables users to calculate and document the entire LCA process directly within their BIM software—from concept design to occupancy approval—without requiring additional programs.
• Automatically calculates LCA based on the building elements and materials in the 3D model, including energy simulations with automatic U-value calculations for all building components.
• Fully complies with Danish Building Regulation and relevant ISO standards for climate calculations, using CO₂-eq data from the regulations’ appendices and preconfigured documentation for occupancy permits.

• Is the only LCA calculator capable of estimating both the embodied carbon of building materials and the operational carbon emissions from building energy consumption.

• Presents the climate impact of building materials organized by drawing layers (e.g., foundations, heavy walls, lightweight walls, floor slabs, etc.) and broken down by individual materials. This makes it easy to identify the “low-hanging fruit” when replacing high-impact materials with lower-carbon alternatives.

• Can import IFC files from other 3D and BIM platforms, including Autodesk Revit, Rhinoceros 3D, and SketchUp, where comprehensive LCA calculations may not be available. This supports greater digital collaboration across disciplines and software platforms while allowing consultants to continue working in the tools that best fit their workflows. In other words, DesignLCA is 100% OpenBIM.

• Can export LCA calculations as PDF files for documentation purposes and as Excel files for further analysis, collaboration, or hand-over to other consultants, contractors, or clients.Draft structures with one click and get instant design feedback.