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Program

Life Cycle Assessment for Smart Buildings: Energy-Efficient and Low-Carbon Design

Gain expertise in LCA tools and methods to assess and reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in smart buildings, driving sustainable design outcomes

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MODE
Online/ e-LMS

TYPE
Mentor Based

LEVEL
Moderate

DURATION
3 Week

About

This professional development course on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Smart Buildings is designed for architects, engineers, sustainability consultants, and construction professionals aiming to lead the transition toward greener, smarter infrastructure. Over three weeks, participants will gain in-depth understanding of how to apply LCA methodologies to assess and minimize the environmental impacts of smart buildings across all life cycle stages—from material selection and construction to operation and deconstruction.

The course combines expert-led lectures, interactive e-learning modules, and hands-on training with industry-recognized LCA tools (like OpenLCA and SimaPro). Learners will explore energy efficiency strategies, analyze operational vs. embodied carbon, and interpret LCA results to make data-driven design and policy decisions.

By the end of the program, participants will be equipped to implement sustainable design practices that optimize performance, reduce carbon footprint, and comply with global green building standards.

Aim

The aim of this course is to equip professionals with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies to smart buildings. It focuses on evaluating and reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions throughout a building’s life cycle—covering design, construction, operation, and end-of-life—using industry-standard tools and sustainable design strategies.

Program Structure

📘 Course Content Structure

✅ Program Title:

Life Cycle Assessment for Smart Buildings: Energy-Efficient and Low-Carbon Design

📚 LMS Table of Contents (TOC)

🗓️ Week 1: Introduction to LCA and Smart Buildings

Module 1: Foundations of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Chapter 1.1: Introduction to Life Cycle Thinking
- What is LCA?
- Importance in Sustainability
- Cradle-to-cradle vs. Cradle-to-grave
Chapter 1.2: LCA Methodology and Phases
- Goal & Scope Definition
- Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)
- Impact Assessment (LCIA)
- Interpretation
Chapter 1.3: Standards and Guidelines
- ISO 14040/14044
- EN 15978
- EPDs for Building Materials

Module 2: Smart Building Technologies and Concepts

Chapter 2.1: Key Features of Smart Buildings
Chapter 2.2: Sustainability Challenges with Smart Tech
Chapter 2.3: Life Cycle Stages of Smart Buildings

🗓️ Week 2: Energy and Carbon Footprint Analysis

Module 3: Energy Performance Across the Building Lifecycle

Chapter 3.1: Operational Energy Use
Chapter 3.2: Smart Energy Efficiency Strategies
Chapter 3.3: On-Site Renewable Energy Systems

Module 4: Carbon Emissions and Life Cycle Stages

Chapter 4.1: Embodied Carbon in Materials & Construction
Chapter 4.2: Operational Carbon Emissions
Chapter 4.3: End-of-Life and Circularity

🗓️ Week 3: Tools, Applications, and Real-World Integration

Module 5: LCA Software Tools and Practical Use

Chapter 5.1: Introduction to OpenLCA & SimaPro
Chapter 5.2: Setting Up an LCA Model
Chapter 5.3: Analysis, Interpretation, and Reporting

Module 6: Case Studies and Decision Support

Chapter 6.1: Smart Office Building LCA
Chapter 6.2: Retrofit vs. New Build Comparison
Chapter 6.3: LCA in Certifications and Design Strategy

🎥 Video Module TOC

~20 hours of video content aligned with weekly modules

📽️ Week 1 Videos (~6.5 hours)

What is LCA? (15 min)
Four Phases of LCA Explained (30 min)
Functional Units & Boundaries (25 min)
Cradle-to-Grave in Construction (30 min)
ISO Standards & EPDs (30 min)
Smart Buildings 101 (20 min)
Tech vs. Sustainability Trade-offs (30 min)
Lifecycle of Smart Systems (30 min)
Summary & Link to LCA (20 min)

📽️ Week 2 Videos (~7 hours)

Energy Baselines vs. Smart Efficiency (30 min)
Smart HVAC, Lighting, Controls (30 min)
Renewable Energy Integration (30 min)
Embodied Carbon in Construction (45 min)
Operational Carbon from Energy Use (45 min)
End-of-Life CO₂ Impacts (30 min)
Whole-Life Carbon Assessment (60 min)
Smart vs. Conventional Building Case Study (60 min)

📽️ Week 3 Videos (~6.5 hours)

Intro to LCA Tools (30 min)
Building an LCA Model (45 min)
Running Assessments & Results (45 min)
Sensitivity & Uncertainty Analysis (30 min)
Smart Office Case Study (45 min)
Retrofit vs. New Construction (30 min)
Communicating LCA Results (30 min)
LCA in LEED & Policy (30 min)
Final Thoughts & Future Trends (15 min)

🎓 Live Lecture Module

🎤 Lecture 1 (Week 1)

Title: Life Cycle Thinking in Smart Construction: Setting the Foundation
Duration: 60 minutes
Focus: Fundamentals of LCA and smart building integration
Guest: Sustainability Consultant / ISO Expert
Interactive: Live system boundary exercise

🎤 Lecture 2 (Week 2)

Title: Operational vs. Embodied Carbon: Making Smart Energy Count
Duration: 75 minutes
Focus: Deep dive on CO₂ emission analysis and trade-offs
Guest: Low-Carbon Design Expert
Interactive: Design decision polls with case data

🎤 Lecture 3 (Week 3)

Title: From Assessment to Action: Using LCA in Real-World Decisions
Duration: 90 minutes
Focus: Applying LCA to projects, policy, and certification
Guest Panel: Architect + Software Developer + Policy Advisor
Interactive: Learner Q&A + model feedback session

Intended For

Eligibility / Intended For:
This course is ideal for professionals and advanced learners involved in the design, construction, operation, and sustainability assessment of buildings, including:

Architects and Urban Planners
Civil and Structural Engineers
Sustainability and Environmental Consultants
Energy Managers and Green Building Experts
Professionals in Smart Building Design and IoT Integration
Researchers and Postgraduate Students in Environmental Science, Architecture, or Civil Engineering
Policy Makers and Building Regulators focused on sustainable development

Prerequisites:
A basic understanding of building systems, environmental impact concepts, or sustainability practices is recommended, but not mandatory. No prior experience in LCA software is required—foundational and hands-on training will be provided

Mentors

AI Mentor

Rajnish Tandon

Bodhi Nexus (Founder)

Biography

AI Mentor

Pratish Jain

Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya

Biography

AI Mentor

J. T. Sibychen

Cyber and Cloud Security Trainer

NIIT Foundation

Biography

More Mentors

Fee Structure

Fee: INR 21499 USD 249

We are excited to announce that we now accept payments in over 20 global currencies, in addition to USD. Check out our list to see if your preferred currency is supported. Enjoy the convenience and flexibility of paying in your local currency!

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