Life cycle assessment in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings

Strategies for decarbonization

Abstract

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a fundamental methodology for measuring environmental impacts and guiding decision-making in heritage preservation and sustainable construction. This study explores the application of LCA in the restoration of historic buildings, quantifying the impact of preserving structural components, with a focus on wall reuse. The research includes a preliminary case study and literature review on retrofit, circular economy, and building restoration. The case study reused 73% of the original walls, resulting in a 31.68% reduction in comparison to new construction. Additionally, when accounting for avoided emissions, an 83% reduction in CO₂ emissions was observed. Emissions are directly influenced by the percentage of reused materials, with embodied carbon in inputs being the main source of higher emissions—although demolition and transport also have substantial impact. Simulations indicate that higher reuse rates lead to increasingly positive environmental outcomes. The study concludes that restoring historic buildings can contribute to more resilient cities aligned with global climate goals, provided that the projects are committed to sustainability.