Services
Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment Consulting
Measuring carbon to engineer smarter buildings
Whole building life cycle assessment (WBLCA) is a powerful tool for quantifying embodied and operational carbon across the full lifespan of a building. As organizations pursue decarbonization in building design and seek to reduce embodied carbon in buildings, Salas O’Brien applies rigorous analysis and real-world data to evaluate design options, compare materials, and identify opportunities to lower environmental impacts without compromising performance, constructability, or cost. Through our embodied carbon consulting and LCA consulting services, we help owners, architects, engineers, and developers make informed decisions that support sustainable building design, climate goals, and long-term building performance.
Integrated early and iteratively throughout the design process, building life cycle assessment provides valuable insights into material selection, structural systems, and construction strategies when decisions have the greatest influence on project outcomes. Whether supporting a single project or a portfolio-wide decarbonization strategy, our team helps clients translate complex carbon data into actionable solutions that create lasting impact.
Why it matters
- Reduce embodied carbon in buildings early in the design process when the greatest opportunities for impact exist.
- Support LEED v5, green building certifications, and sustainability reporting requirements.
Improve long-term building performance and environmental outcomes. - Align projects with ESG initiatives, decarbonization goals, and emerging regulations.
- Compare material and system alternatives using life cycle assessment for buildings.
- Make informed decisions that balance sustainability, cost, constructability, and resilience.
When to engage our team
- During conceptual and early design phases.
- When evaluating material and structural system alternatives.
- For LEED v5, green building certification, and net zero projects.
- To support embodied carbon reduction and decarbonization initiatives.
- For portfolio level sustainability planning and carbon reporting.
- When responding to owner requirements, ESG commitments, or regulatory drivers.
Who we work with
- Building owners and developers
- Architects and design teams
- Engineers and contractors
- Higher education institutions
- Healthcare organizations
- Corporate and commercial real estate clients
- Government and public sector agencies
Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment Consulting Projects
Frequently asked questions about embodied carbon and life cycle Assessment (LCA)
Clear answers to common questions about embodied carbon, whole-building life cycle assessment, and how these tools support better building decisions.
What is whole building life cycle assessment?
Whole building life cycle assessment is a process used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with a building throughout its full life cycle. This includes raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, construction, maintenance, replacement cycles, and end-of-life impacts. Life cycle assessment for buildings helps project teams make informed decisions that support sustainability, resilience, and long-term carbon-reduction goals.
What is embodied carbon in buildings?
Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with building materials and construction processes. This includes emissions generated during material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal. As operational efficiency improves in modern buildings, embodied carbon has become an increasingly important focus in sustainable building design and decarbonization strategies.
Why is embodied carbon important in sustainable building design?
Embodied carbon can account for a significant portion of a building’s total environmental impact, particularly in new construction projects. Reducing embodied carbon in buildings helps lower greenhouse gas emissions, support climate goals, and improve long-term environmental performance. Early design decisions related to materials, structure, and systems can have a major impact on a project’s overall carbon footprint.
How does life cycle assessment support decarbonization goals?
Life cycle assessment consulting helps project teams identify opportunities to reduce embodied carbon and lower environmental impacts across the built environment. By evaluating materials, systems, and construction strategies early in the design process, teams can make data-driven decisions that support building decarbonization goals, sustainability commitments, and long-term project performance.
What are environmental product declarations (EPDs)?
Environmental product declarations, or EPDs, are standardized documents that provide transparent information about the environmental impacts of building materials and products. EPDs are commonly used in embodied carbon analysis and life cycle assessment services to compare products, support sustainable material selection, and document compliance with green building rating systems and procurement requirements.
Can life cycle assessment help support LEED certification?
Yes. Life cycle assessment and embodied carbon consulting can help support LEED certification and other green building rating systems by documenting environmental impacts, material transparency, and carbon reduction strategies. These analyses can contribute to credits related to embodied carbon reduction, material selection, environmental product disclosures, and overall sustainability performance.
When should embodied carbon analysis begin during design?
Embodied carbon analysis is most effective when it begins early in the design process. Early phase analysis allows project teams to compare structural systems, material selections, and construction approaches before major decisions are finalized. Starting early helps maximize opportunities for reducing embodied carbon while balancing cost, constructability, durability, and performance goals.
What types of projects benefit from life cycle assessment consulting?
Life cycle assessment consulting services can benefit a wide range of project types, including commercial buildings, higher education facilities, healthcare projects, civic and municipal buildings, mixed-use developments, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects. Any project pursuing sustainability goals, decarbonization strategies, or green building certifications can benefit from embodied carbon analysis and life cycle assessment services.
How can project teams reduce embodied carbon in buildings?
Project teams can reduce embodied carbon in buildings by selecting lower carbon materials, optimizing structural systems, reducing material quantities, incorporating recycled content, evaluating reuse opportunities, and prioritizing products with Environmental Product Declarations. Life cycle assessment consulting helps identify practical strategies that reduce environmental impacts while supporting project goals, constructability, budget, and long-term value.
What we can offer
Salas O’Brien’s in-house experts are equipped to guide you through every step of the LEED certification process.
Whole building life cycle assessment (WBLCA)
A comprehensive building life cycle assessment that evaluates embodied and operational carbon across a project’s full life cycle. Salas O’Brien’s life cycle assessment services help project teams compare design options, quantify environmental impacts, and identify opportunities to reduce embodied carbon while supporting sustainable building design and long-term performance goals.
Embodied carbon analysis
A focused evaluation of material and system choices that identifies practical opportunities to reduce embodied carbon in buildings while maintaining performance, cost, durability, and constructability. Our embodied carbon consulting services help project teams make informed material selections that support decarbonization in building design and measurable carbon reduction outcomes.
