Image courtesy of NJIT Hillier College of Architecture and Design
New Jersey Institute of Technology’s upcoming sustainability conference is more than just a buzzword. Environmental Life Cycle Assessment in Design SymposiumeLCAd, also known as eLCAd. The idea of bringing together architecture, design and data-driven techniques to assess environmental challenges began in 2020. It has since evolved into a book and an industry-focused symposium for students and professionals.
There are many symposiums and conferences that focus on sustainable design best practices and sustainable design approaches. What makes eLCAd special? Why is this symposium so important? eLCAd 2022, a three-day international event, “unites two professions involved in parallel systems thinking.” […]to identify actionable, collaborative opportunities that are possible through continued advances in computational tools. John Cays (Associate Professor of Academic Affairs, Interim Head of the School of Art + Design, NJIT) and symposium organizer), Connie Hensler Director of Environmental Management (Director of Product Stewardship at InterfaceCo-MC of the event) and Roderick Baates (Head, Integrated Practice at Enscape, and guest speaker). However, the symposium further expands their passion for sustainable design solutions.
Together, we explore the importance and value of building bridges among designers, researchers, data specialists, and the LCA community. Cays explains the importance of using measurable outcomes and collaborative opportunities to students and industry professionals in order to make environmental design change effective.
For more information about the upcoming eLCAd Symposium (which takes place from 7-9 September), click here March 29 – March 31We will discuss what makes this an important event. We discuss the importance and speaker lineup of the symposium, as well as how design-driven tools can be used to make better decisions about designing sustainably. We also have insightful comments from Hensler & Bates.
Building bridges between disciplines
Cays shares his excitement about the symposium during our Zoom conference. “It helps explain how students, firms, and businesses can get in the ground floor when integrating Life Cycle Assessment, architecture, design data.” It is important to refer to his book. Designing from the Environment: A Life Cycle ApproachIt was used as a catalyst for the realization of the idea of the symposium. Cays believes that addressing environmental issues through data-driven methods requires close interdisciplinarity. He mentions that this year’s event was the result of a NJIT, CIRODD and ACLCA institution partnership.
For those unfamiliar with the American Center for Life Cycle Assessments (ACLCA).It is a national non profit organization that provides education and advocacy. Cays explains that LCA is a science-based technique used to quantify the potential environmental impacts of any product system throughout its entire life cycle, from extraction and processing raw materials through manufacturing, transportation, and use through disposal.
This symposium is designed to create cross-disciplinary bridges. It explains how students and firms can get in on the ground floor of integrating Life Cycle Assessment data, architecture and design. John Cays
Before we dive into the details and intricacies, it’s important that we acknowledge the valuable collaborative efforts of NJIT faculty. Erin Heidelberger. The NJIT Hillier College of Architecture and Design, a technical college, is dedicated to holistic education and giving its students the technical and quantitative tools they need to succeed in their design studios and beyond. Heidelberger, a former student who is now an adjunct professor and a member of the eLCAd symposium committee, is a great example of how LCA tools can both be used on student and graduate projects. Her work with Cays, and other NJIT faculty, is a great reference for students interested to attend the event and explore sustainability applications in high-performance buildings.
The symposium will also feature a dedicated workshop for students entitled Life Cycle Thinking for Designers and Students in Design. This workshop offers individuals who are interested in designing solutions to the climate crisis a chance to learn about Life Cycle Thinking and see demonstrations of One click LCA’s software integrations with Rhino, Revit, and Grasshopper.
More than a symposium
Three daysThe symposium is jam-packed with presentations, fireside chats and collaborative working sessions that bring together industry leaders and students. Leading companies include renowned design titans like Roderick BatesEnscape Head of Integrated Practice, Cathy Robert CervellioneNVIDIA, and Charlie PortelliNJIT HCAD alumnus, VP/Computational designer at Thornton Tomasetti. Join leading researchers and academics like industry legends Don GreenbergArchitect, Cornell University distinguished Professor of Computer Graphics and the creator of radiosity. He is also a global expert in LCA data, computation design, and was also a pioneer in radiosity. Sangwon SuhSanta Barbara University to name a few. Modern LCA Pioneers James FavaAnd Andrea LovePayette’s Principal Building Science Director and Principal will also present at this year’s symposium. Connie HenslerThe event’s co-MC, and the Director for Environmental Management and Product Stewardship of Interface. Hensler says: “New regulations, laws, and laws are increasing at the state, federal, and local levels. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), is a tool to make decisions and meet these requirements to have a real effect.
LCA is one of the most effective tools for architects and other building professionals to understand energy use and other environmental impacts associated all phases of a building’s life cycle: procurement and construction, operation, and dismantling. Connie Hensler
Cays and I also discuss how symposium speakers address these issues. He says that money is often a problem when designing more sustainably. People don’t have the time or desire to learn more about these methods. He said, “What we are trying to do with this symposium is bring together professionals and have these conversations to show how design and LCA can pursue measurable 10-x improvements.” Hensler adds that LCA is a great tool for architects and other building professionals to understand energy use and other environmental impacts during all phases of a building’s life cycle, including procurement, construction, operation and decommissioning.
This is just a small snapshot of the entire site. 26 speakersWho will present at eLCAd in 2018? Each session delves into a range of important topics such: Evolution of Sustainable Design Consulting, UI/UX to Integrate LCA Data, LCA for Design Students, Quantifying and documenting environmental impactsThis workshop shows how one school can satisfy a new NAAB criteria regarding environmental impacts. Market Forces Drive Sustainable Design Decisions.
Linchpins within the industry
Sustainable design applications thrive when people come together. This symposium shows that designers and companies are not isolated in their decisions regarding carbon offsets and other important environmental impact categories. Cays says, “It’s collaboration,” adding that “designers working in sustainability, data-powered instruments are key linchpins in giving industry a rational approach to seeing where we are and what can be done now.”
Encapes Roderick Bates from Encapes was asked by us to discuss a few symposium topics. We wanted to know how AEC and entertainment industries merge and how advances in computation can improve production and visualization workflows. Does he believe that our ability to analyze these simulations and make informed decisions about them is increasing as they become more sophisticated? Former principal at Kieran timberlake, Bates has worked for many years on the Tally/Revit plugin tool. He sees two main answers to this question.
Bates explains that the first is a baked-in component for analysis. The results are displayed as some kind of optimal figure or score.” This means that the tool developer is making broad assumptions that may not be compatible with a particular design project. The second option is that the analysis is performed by the individual. This allows the designer to balance the project’s unique performance requirements. This requires expertise and can lead to inaccurate data inputs.
Design professionals must assume the role of experts in leveraging powerful analysis tools to work with clients to achieve their shared environmental performance goals. Roderick Bates
“I’ve seen both when I show customers how to build performance-related product concepts. Our current thinking is to enable both. This can be accomplished by offering a pre-packaged performance score metric for those who just want a number’. Or a more complex methodology that allows experts to draw their own conclusions. We see the greatest opportunity in creating workflows that connect these two audiences. The experts involved in the project will inform the ‘just need a number’ crowds.
It’s clear that the upcoming eLCAd symposium should not be missed after meeting with Cays and Hensler. The 2022 eLCAd team is now in its second iteration. It continues to provide a forum where sustainability discussions can move from observational to applied techniques. Cays shares that an event like eLCAd aims “to spark discussions, to give industries insight, and to do better.” “With better data and more information, we can begin to query our models when designing.”
Bates was asked if more powerful analytical tools would allow designers to advocate more passionately for sustainable design solutions. Instead, clients are now the advocates for building performance. This new context calls for design professionals to take on the role as experts and leverage powerful analysis tools with clients to achieve shared environmental performance goals.
The symposium’s message focuses on the opportunities, technology and tools and the growing client demand that architects and designers leverage their expertise when designing climate initiatives. Cays and his team emphasize that the symposium provides guests with the opportunity to network with like-minded LCA technologists and experts to help them create a truly sustainable world.
NJIT is open to anyone who wants to improve the environmental profile of their designs. Join NJIT between March 29th and 31st to learn more about “How to”Show Your Impact.”
