This ACESD Theory seminar will provide students with means of assessing the environmental impact of their design practice, with a focus on the role of advanced manufacturing tools in such impacts.


Syllabus

Advanced Manufacturing Transfers: from environmental impacts to industrial implementation

MaCAD ACESD THEORY SEMINAR


Source: XtreeE

The ACESD Theory seminar aims to provide students with means of assessing the environmental impact of their design practice, with a focus on the role of advanced manufacturing tools in such impacts. The Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) method is introduced relying on standard European regulations. The changes brought about in the construction industry by the resort to advanced manufacturing technologies is tackled relying on five case studies. Each case study focuses on a specific environmental impact, illustrating the notion of impact transfer core to digital practices environmental evaluation.

The course guides students through these issues by means of a theoretical course combined with a series of exercises in which the conditions of industrial implementation of cutting edge advanced manufacturing techniques are interrogated.

The seminar sessions will present lectures, case studies, discussions and associated readings to support the students learning process and formulation of their own new design practices.

Learning Objectives

 

The course aims to offer the following learning objectives:

  • Memorise the fundamental notions of life-cycle assessment for the built environment.
  • Explain the particulars of life-cycle assessment for advanced manufacturing.
  • Identify specific relevant impacts for advanced manufacturing LCA case studies.
  • Apply to a personal design project.

Faculty


Projects from this course

NeoCapsules – A Modular Approach to Sustainability

Evolving Nakagin Capsule Tower

NeoCapsules is an innovative residential project inspired by the Nakagin Capsule Tower, reimagined to suit modern needs. Unlike the original design, which featured small, single-use capsules, NeoCapsules offers modular units in different sizes to accommodate families, young professionals, and individuals with diverse lifestyles. This flexibility allows residents to select layouts that best match their needs, … Read more

APEX RESIDENCES ASSESMENT – THEORY

Design Strategy The Apex project is designed by aligning structure and program into a single tower offering multiple configurations based on environmental optimizations. By approaching the structure as one of the main drivers of the tower, we decided to test what is the effect of the structure’s material on the carbon footprint of the project. … Read more

PERSONAL PROJECT

ACESD Theory Embodied Carbon Factors: Total Carbon Footprints (per location and total towers): •Iceland:   17,539,260 kg CO₂e  – One tower •Singapore:   49,958,698 kg CO₂e  – Two towers By Material Concrete: Dominates the emissions for both locations due to its extensive use in slabs, beams, and columns. Steel: Contributes significantly, particularly in Singapore, where … Read more

AdaptiveFlow Carbon Emission

3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) is reshaping the construction industry by combining innovation and sustainability. This cutting-edge technology involves the automated layering of concrete through robotic systems to create durable, customized structures efficiently. The process integrates components like robotic arms, nozzle systems, and advanced computational control to deliver unparalleled precision and speed. How Does It Work? … Read more

MakerHub – Material Impact Analysis

Abstract This project evaluates the carbon footprint of concrete core units in modular high-rise construction, using CO₂ emissions as the primary indicator. The goal is to assess the potential environmental impact and determine if the proposed building aligns with environmental policies. Lifecycle stages analyzed include raw material extraction, material processing, transportation, assembly, and end-of-life, with … Read more

Commercial Tower Analysis

Introduction The Parametric Nexus project represents a forward-thinking approach to high-rise construction, where sustainability is at the forefront. With its use of advanced materials like glass, steel, and concrete, the project aims to minimize environmental impacts through a comprehensive Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). This blog explores the rationale, methods, and key findings of this … Read more

MORPHO RESIDENCES – THEORY

DESIGN STRATEGY The “Morpho” Residences originated from the a top down approach, this means that the algorithm behind it uses predefined sets of rules to create its geometry. The “Morpho” Residences originated from the a top down approach, this means that the algorithm behind it uses predefined sets of rules to create its geometry. The typology we … Read more

Sustainability in Modular Design

Insights from LCA, Materials, Energy, Circuitry, and Transport Modular design is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of sustainable construction, offering innovative ways to balance environmental responsibility with functional efficiency. Our recent exploration through five interconnected sessions—ranging from Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) to energy use, advanced manufacturing, and transport—has provided profound insights into how we can optimize modular … Read more

The Energy Behind Your Data

Abstract By the year 2025, there will be 200+ zettabytes of data in cloud storage. The servers handling this cloud storage space live in data centers. Since we live in the era of data, demand is surging, in fact, a 50% growth is expected by 2030. Data centers are energy consuming monsters, hence their lifecycle … Read more