Case study of the life cycle assessment of a ventilated façade in a certain climatic zone of Spain in a postgraduate course

Abstract

[EN] This paper deals with a case study aimed for students of the "Advanced Methods and Technology in Construction" subject, taught in the Master's Degree in Planning and Management in Civil Engineering (MUPGIC) of the Universitat Politècnica de València. In this course advanced construction procedures are taught. This article presents the case study of a ventilated façade, which has a constructive system that makes it aesthetically attractive and energetically efficient. The case study, for the students, consists in the life cycle assessment of a certain ventilated façade type in two different climatic zones of Spain: Valencia and Ávila, using the Ecoinvent database. Students must take into account that both cities have a very different climate and make the decision to change some of the constructive elements depending on the results. Students will learn to understand and apply advanced constructive procedures. Furthermore, they will acquire transversal competencies such as the decision-making, and problem analysis, and solving capacities, considering the ethical, environmental and professional responsibilities. This article is the preamble for future studies related to the life cycle assessment of a construction or unit from it, considering both an economic and energetic point of view as well as an economic and social one.