LCA at Herzog & de Meuron: Building an Integrated Digital Workflow

Herzog & De Meuron (HdM) has developed a bespoke Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) system leveraging the 2050 Materials API to tackle the complexities of environmental performance evaluations in architectural design. These tools, integrated directly into their digital workflows, enable continuous and dynamic LCA calculations from concept to completion. The CALC system comprises two modules:

1. CALC Builder: A tool for creating reusable assemblies using predefined materials and data libraries.
2. CALC Project: A project-specific tool for applying these assemblies, allowing for streamlined calculations across various stages of design.

1. Data Workflow:

• Material data is sourced and filtered through the API for regional and project-specific requirements.
• Assemblies are pre-calculated using CALC Builder and stored in a centralized repository (Directus), making them accessible across projects.

Mapping Models to LCA Inputs:

• BIM elements (walls, slabs, etc.) are grouped and filtered using configuration files to match predefined assemblies.
• These assemblies allow flexibility in scaling from high-level massing models to detailed designs, adapting to the level of available information.

Advantages of an Assembly Approach:

• Efficiency: Pre-calculated assemblies reduce the need for repetitive data entry and calculation.
• Flexibility: Rapid comparisons between design options (e.g., concrete vs. timber structures).
• Standardization: Consistent methodology across diverse modeling standards and international regulations.

Visualization and Analysis:

• Results are displayed via PowerBI dashboards, integrating geometric data from Speckle and environmental metrics from Directus. This setup allows teams to analyze and compare project designs in real-time.

HdM’s LCA workflow demonstrates how tailored tools can transform sustainability assessments. Key findings include:

• Early-Stage Impact: The assembly approach enables impactful design decisions during initial stages, where the potential to reduce embodied carbon is highest.
• Knowledge Building: Continuous benchmarking and internal data curation foster learning and innovation.
• International Adaptability: By harmonizing diverse BIM standards and regional methodologies, the workflow ensures consistency in LCA calculations globally.

2050 Materials plays a pivotal role by providing a robust API infrastructure and high-quality data, underpinning HdM’s tools. The API ensures access to comprehensive, verified material data, empowering HdM’s design teams to integrate sustainability seamlessly into their workflows.

Herzog & De Meuron’s custom LCA tools exemplify how architectural firms can address sustainability challenges through innovation and collaboration. By embedding LCA into their design processes, HdM has developed a workflow that is efficient, adaptable, and transparent.

Supported by the 2050 Materials API, these tools not only enhance project-specific outcomes but also contribute to a broader industry shift toward sustainable design practices.