Carbon-Balanced Buildings

We seek to continue to embrace regenerative design strategies that achieve triple net-zero outcomes. We have developed great intelligence on how to deliver net-zero energy and water buildings. However research has been needed on how to solve for net-zero carbon, or carbon-balanced buildings. One part of achieving this goal is to examine the life cycle analysis of durable construction materials such as steel, concrete, insulation and mass timber in order to better understand the cumulative impact of materials on a building’s carbon balance..

In this presentation, Duncan walks through a carbon balance analysis case study of the west wing of the Penticton Lake Resort in the Okanagan, British Columbia. He explores the details behind the life cycle analysis of the building’s material contributions to better understand what could have been done to achieve a carbon balance. By doing so, Duncan demonstrates strategies for sequestering more carbon in building products than were spent in its construction, which ultimately can lead to better buildings in the future and an opportunity to recover and regenerate our natural environment through smarter buildings.