STRUCTURE: 10 High-Impact Ways to Reduce Embodied Carbon

For embodied carbon reductions to support limiting the average global temperature to 1.5C, focusing on the structure of a building is not just a need, it is a “must-have”. The structural system normally represents at least 50% of the upfront embodied carbon, emissions that increase global greenhouse gases the day our buildings are completed.

To stay on track for 1.5C, we must utilize strategies to reduce the structural system carbon emissions during concept design, long before we perform a detailed LCA. Here are 10 high-value ways to put you on a path to lower embodied carbon.

1. Minimize underground construction.

2. Use wood or mass timber framing.

3. Use smaller column grid spacing, appropriate to your floor framing material.

4. Use a column grid aspect ratio of between 1 and 2, with an aspect ratio of 1 preferred for concrete floor systems.

5. Maintain a uniform column grid and avoid column offsets (transfers).

6. Optimize your floor structure to minimize structural framing weight.

7. Minimize articulation of the exterior footprint of the building.

8. Avoid exterior wall compositions that require additional structural framing for cladding materials.

9. Avoid using concrete and masonry for exterior structural walls.

10. Simplify your lateral force resisting system.

A pdf of this document is available on the Documents page.