Life Cycle Environmental Performance Assessment of Prefabricated Buildings in the Early Design Stages: A Literature Review

The increasing requirements for sustainable construction have highlighted the need for an effective life cycle assessment (LCA) framework that can integrate environmental performance assessment in the early design stages of prefabricated buildings. At these design stages, an efficient, dependable, and simple environmental performance assessment is essential for finding optimal building forms. This research aimed to discuss the LCA methodologies tailored to prefabricated buildings in the early design phases. By reviewing related literature, analyzing existing LCA frameworks, and assessing their applicability to prefabricated construction, this study developed a comprehensive perspective on LCA in supporting architects and decision-makers in designing efficient and low-impact buildings. The research results revealed that the LCA methodologies for prefabricated and conventional buildings show no great differences. The findings will contribute to a systematic understanding of the life cycle environmental impact assessment of prefabricated systems, facilitating the integration of sustainability-driven design choices in architectural practice.