Interdependency of LCCA and LCA in the assessment of buildings

Sustainability aspects in the assessment of buildings using the life cycle approach have become more and more common. Due to the rise of fossil fuels prices and the increasing importance of global warming, economic and environmental assessments also gain more and more attention. This paper gives an overview of the role of environmental and economic performance in current building certification systems. Furthermore it focuses on the interdependency of life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) in the assessment of buildings in the case of Ö GNI/DGNB building certification system. Based on a case study in Graz, the results of LCCA and LCA are presented. The main part of the paper draws the attention to a new method to improve building performance behind a systematic approach. In summary, this paper provides an overview of new methods based on systems thinking in the assessment of buildings.