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Parametric and Generative Carbon Optimisation

Plugins to optimise embodied carbon parametrically and generatively.

Combining generative and parametric approaches

For computational designers and structural engineers, creating and evaluating embodied carbon of user-defined options may not be satisfactory for all projects.

Parametric tools enable users to instantly quantify the change in impacts using any defined parametric dimensions, whereas evolutionary (generative) algorithms create new solutions within pre-defined boundaries. 

One Click LCA can support both applications with its range of plugins.

Optimising building embodied carbon with the One Click LCA’s Grasshopper plugin. Image from A Holistic and Parametric Approach for Life Cycle Assessment in the Early Design Stages. 

Introducing One Click LCA solutions for
Parametric Carbon Optimisation

One Click LCA has existing off-the-shelf plugins for Rhino and Grasshopper.

Access EPDs and generic data

Within the plugins, you can access the world’s largest construction material database (including EPDs and generic data). Map the building elements/components of your design to their corresponding environmental profiles from the database.

Get instant results & optimise

Get an overview of the embodied carbon per building elements in Rhino and Grasshopper. Optimise carbon performance and visualise the impacts in real-time.

Rhino plugin

This plugin is suitable for beginners. Users can automate the estimation of material quantities, map material environmental profiles, including EPDs, to the geometric objects of the
Rhino model, and get an instant overview of the embodied carbon of the project.

 

Grasshopper plugin

This plugin is suitable for more advanced users who could set up the parametric LCA model in Grasshopper. Users can map materials and get their results visualised, change the parameters and see in real-time their impacts on embodied carbon performance.

Solutions for Generative Carbon Optimisation

The model setup in Grasshopper can be used for generative (evolutionary) carbon optimisation. The One Click LCA plugin for Grasshopper can be integrated into the same Grasshopper script with any other plugin, which may be complementary or unrelated. Other plugins that have been successfully used with the One Click LCA Grasshopper plugin include:

Karamba

Structural optimisation tool

Galapagos

Evolutionary solver

Octopus

Multi Objective Evolutionary Optimization

Who is it for?

Structural engineers

Computational designers

Visual programmers

From plugins to cloud

Within the plugins, you can get the results limited to embodied carbon A1-A3 (materials manufacturing). However, you have an option to export to One Click LCA in the cloud and have a complete analysis with desired life cycle stages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get access to the One Click LCA Parametric and Generative Carbon Optimisation Tool?

The One Click LCA Parametric and Generative Carbon Optimization tool is available as part of One Click LCA Expert licenses. The plugins are free to download from our Help Center.

Contact sales@oneclicklca.com for a demo or quote.

What is the scope of the assessment?
Within the plugin, materials manufacturing embodied carbon A1-A3 only. For results exported to One Click LCA cloud, any scope.
Which impact categories are reported?
Global Warming Potential in the parametric model, any impact categories for selected LCAs exported to One Click LCA from the model.
What database is included?
The plugin has access to One Click LCA’s global database, from which the user selects the subset that is applicable for their location.
Is it compatible with other tools?
The One Click LCA Parametric, Generative Carbon Optimization tool is compatible with all buildings and infrastructure LCA tools.

Want to learn more?

For more on how the One Click LCA Rhino and Grasshopper integration supports parametric LCA, read our joint research paper, which includes a case study of the tool being implemented in the design phase of an office building complex in Berlin.

Get started today with

Parametric, generative carbon optimisation