Lifecycle carbon emissions: adaptive reuse vs new buildings in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The building construction sector stands out as a significant contributor to carbon emissions (CE). Among the sustainable practices available to mitigate this impact, adaptive reuse of historic buildings (ARHB) emerges as a viable option. In tropical developing countries, there is no quantitative research on ARHB and CE to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of ARHB as a solution. This study addresses this gap by conducting a comparative analysis of lifecycle CE between ARHB and an envisioned new building with an identical building envelope. Notably, this is the pioneering case study of its kind in Sri Lanka. A historic building within Galle Dutch Fort serves as the chosen case study, repurposed as a homestay to align with current local trends. Results indicate that annual carbon emission from the ARHB is 37.35 kg.CO2/m2, while from the envisioned new building amounting to 48.64 kg.CO2/m2, showcasing the significantly reduced environmental impact of ARHBs. In both scenarios, operational energy accounted for the highest proportion of CE, at 73.8% and 62.3% respectively. Subsequently, material production emerged as the next critical stage for both cases. Consequently, this study concludes that ARHB presents a more environmentally friendly option than new building construction. Moreover, the research suggests a focus on operational and material production stages to diminish environmental impact further. Strategies such as altering user behaviour, implementing microclimatic approaches, and embracing circular economic principles are recommended to achieve this objective. This study underscores the potential for ARHB to contribute significantly to sustainability efforts within the building construction sector.