Optimizing building design with respect to life-cycle enviromental impacts

Since buildings have a predominant impact on the global climate change and other  environmental issues, it has become necessary to consider environmental performance in building design. An optimization approach is presented in this paper to minimize life-cycle environmental impacts of buildings. Parameters included in the model are usually determined at the conceptual design phase and have a critical influence on environmental performance. Life-cycle environmental impacts are evaluated in terms of expanded cumulative exergy consumption. It is the sum of exergy consumption due to resource inputs and abatement exergy required to recover the negative impacts due to waste emissions. The optimal solution is found using structured genetic algorithms. A case   study is presented.