This document outlines the research aims and methodology of a PhD candidate developing a design support tool to assist architects in assessing sustainable material use from the early design phase. The research has three main phases: 1) developing knowledge on LCA frameworks and architects' needs; 2) implementing a calculation methodology; and 3) creating an output design support model. So far, the candidate has reviewed LCA standards and applications, examined existing LCA tools, and surveyed Flemish architects. Research still to be done includes analyzing architects' design processes, implementing knowledge in a chosen tool, and ensuring the final tool meets architects' needs. The overall aim is to develop a methodology and tool to inform architects' material choice decisions throughout the design process.

1. DEVELOPMENT OF A METHODOLOGY FOR ARCHITECTS FOR THE
ASSESSMENT AND INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL USE
FROM THE EARLY DESIGN PHASE
PhD Candidate: Elke Meex
Supervisor: Prof. dr. ir. Griet Verbeeck
Faculty of Architecture and Art
Hasselt University

2. STRUCTURE
ƒ PROBLEM STATEMENT
ƒ RESEARCH AIM
ƒ RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND TIMING
ƒ FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
ƒ RESEARCH STILL TO BE DONE WITHIN PhD

3. PROBLEM STATEMENT
ƒ Focus shift in building sector:
from energy efficiency towards global environmental impact
ƒ Environmental impact = use of resources and raw materials, emissions,
waste generation, contribution to global warming, …
Æ focus of this research = (sustainable) material use in building design

4. PROBLEM STATEMENT
ƒ Focus of design support = energy efficiency of building design
Æ little attention to sustainable material use
ƒ Architect plays a central role in the design process Æ impact assessment:
− Should be embedded in his work method
− Should support the decision making process along the design process

5. PROBLEM STATEMENT
ƒ Research = twofold:
1. What is the most appropriate way to assess sustainable material use?
2. Viewpoint of the architect: attitude, knowledge, work method, … with regard
to sustainable material use?

6. RESEARCH AIM
= to develop a methodology for a tool to assist architects in the decision
making process on sustainable material use by providing information on
environmental performance along the design process
Æ from viewpoint of the architect
Æ focus on early design phase

7. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TIMING
ƒ Start = October 2013
ƒ Time frame = 4 years
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)

8. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TIMING
ƒ Start = October 2013
ƒ Time frame = 4 years
ƒ 3 main phases:
1) Knowledge development
− Framework
− Architects & design
2) Implementation
− Calculation methodology
3) Output
− Design support model
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)

9. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TIMING
ƒ Start = October 2013
ƒ Time frame = 4 years
ƒ 3 main phases
ƒ Each phase = 3 steps:
1) Literature review (theory)
2) Field research (practical)
3) Results (outcome)
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)

10. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TIMING
ƒ Start = October 2013
ƒ Time frame = 4 years
ƒ 3 main phases
ƒ Each phase = 3 steps
ƒ Progress
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)

11. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
Phase 1: Knowledge development
ƒ Review on LCA framework:
− Literature review: ISO and CEN standards, LCA applications, …
= finished
Æ Application of LCA on whole building level
= most appropriate assessment level for architects
= complex (unique building design, variety of materials, huge amount of input, …)
− Examination of most important existing LCA databases and tools for the
Western-European context:
1) Theoretical examination of underlying framework and principles = finished
2) Practical application of these tools on a reference building to compare tool
options = ongoing

12. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
Phase 1: Knowledge development
2) Practical application of these tools on reference building:
ƒ Aim = compare focus, user-friendliness & usability from viewpoint of
the architect
ƒ Comparison criteria based on:
− Existing energy tool classification framework with focus on architect-friendliness
(Weytjens, 2013)
− Extended with criteria from former studies on environmental impact tools
− Some results of the survey (parallel research) will be implemented
Æ Adaptation and extension of the original framework = ongoing
Æ Framework will be discussed with architects, preferably architects who
are concerned with sustainable material use and environmental impact

13. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
Phase 1: Knowledge development
2) Practical application of these tools on reference building
ƒ Reference building = typical Flemish dwelling
− Floor area (one floor): 75m²
− Number of floors: 2
− Floor area (total): 150m²
− Protected volume: 422m³
− Heat loss area: 339m²
− Compactness: 1,25m

14. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
Phase 1: Knowledge development
ƒ Research on architects’ current needs, expectations
& work method with regard to sustainable material use
− Literature review on design process and design support methods/tools
= ongoing
Æ knowledge acquired = input for the development of the comparison
framework on usability and user-friendliness of existing tools
(from the viewpoint of the architect, usable along the design process)

15. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
Phase 1: Knowledge development
ƒ Research on architects’ current needs, expectations
& work method with regard to sustainable material use
− Survey among Flemish architects:
Æ Conducted in February 2014, during 4
information sessions on new legislation for
sustainable energy, organized by the
Flemish Architects Organization (“nav”)
Æ Approx. 715 Flemish architects participated,
about 350 of them filled in the survey
= response rate of almost 49%
Æ Processing results = ongoing

16. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
ƒ Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Average age = 40
Æ Gender:
2,5 0
36,3
29,7
61,1 70,3
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Survey Flemish Council
No Answer
Female
Male

17. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
ƒ Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ EPB calculations performed in his/her own office?
62,10
14,01 9,55 8,92 5,36
100,00
90,00
80,00
70,00
60,00
50,00
40,00
30,00
20,00
10,00
0,00
EPB in own office

18. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
ƒ Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Material choice usually based on? (multiple answers allowed)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
No answer
No
Yes

19. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
ƒ Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Decision on material use? (ranking 1-3)
Æ Alternates mostly between architect & client
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Third place
Second place
First place

20. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
ƒ Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Material choice different in projects with focus on sustainability?
43,95
14,01
35,99
6,05
100,00
90,00
80,00
70,00
60,00
50,00
40,00
30,00
20,00
10,00
0,00
Yes
No
Has not yet
occured
No answer

21. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
ƒ Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Ever heard of Environmental Product Declaration?
13,69
80,25
6,05
100,00
90,00
80,00
70,00
60,00
50,00
40,00
30,00
20,00
10,00
0,00
Yes
No
No answer

22. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
ƒ Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Ever heard of Life Cycle Assessment?
37,26
56,05
6,69
100,00
90,00
80,00
70,00
60,00
50,00
40,00
30,00
20,00
10,00
0,00
Yes
No
No answer

23. RESEARCH STILL TO BE DONE WITHIN PhD
Phase 1: Knowledge development
ƒ Analysis of the architect’s work method and the design decision making process
Æ in collaboration with architects
ƒ Aim = determination of the most significant design phases and parameters with the
biggest influence on material use along the design process
Phase 2: Implementation
ƒ Detailed analysis of existing calculation methodologies
ƒ Aim = implementation of knowledge (interaction aspects, default values, …) in chosen
calculation methodology
Phase 3: Output
ƒ Check compatibility of the tool possibilities with architect’s needs and wishes by means
of focus groups, test panels, …
ƒ Final aim = a design decision support tool for the environmental performance of
building design, specifically oriented to architects

24. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
QUESTIONS?
elke.meex@uhasselt.be