case studies / Environmental credentials of the Olympic experience centre in Sydney Australia

Environmental credentials of the Olympic experience centre in Sydney Australia

Scope

This case study estimates the life cycle environmental impacts of the construction and operation of the proposed Olympic Experience Centre. The pavilion was designed as a low cost environmentally friendly steel building which could be dismantled and relocated after the Olympics.

Goal

To provide a fast and user friendly, interactive LCA case study, which allows the user to investigate the life cycle impacts of a range construction, transportation, recycling and utilisation, options.

Building details

The Olympic Experience centre was designed to give visitors an insight into the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000, by presenting a film and displaying sporting memorabilia and other information. The building consisted of a 200 seat theatre, a shop, food services and many display areas. It was designed as a low cost, environmentally friendly building, which could be relocated after the Olympic Games. A viewing platform, overlooking the Homebush Bay site was also a feature.

Many ESD principles were included in the design:

• Storm water collection and on site management.
• Structure design using passive means to minimise energy use and maximise thermal and lighting comfort of the building across all seasons.
• Collection and filtration of rainwater, use of potable water kept as low as possible.
• Services technologies selected on the basis of low energy uptake and low levels of harmful emissions.
• Re-use of materials such as brick walls and slag in pavers.
• Use of PV energy.
• Site sewage and waste water treatment system, with a management plan to support landscaping requirements.
• Food waste and grease trapping undertaken by food service provider.
• On site green waste management.

System boundaries

System definition

The system analysed included the manufacture of all building materials from resources in the ground, building site activities, construction equipment, repairs/maintenance, periodic refurbishment and finally, decommissioning.

Boundary limits

The entire life cycle is considered, from resources in ground through to demolition and recycling/landfill of the structure. Landfill emissions are excluded.

Transportation

Transportation mode and distance are included for each material.

Data categories

Impact assessment

Environmental impacts investigated were resource energy consumption, GGE (greenhouse gas emissions), NOx, SOx, NMVOC (non-methane volatile organic compounds), SPM (suspended particulate matter), and fresh water consumption.

Energy definition

Gross energy (GJ/t), or high heating value (HHV), is used. Feedstock energy is included for all materials except timber.

Greenhouse gas emissions

IPCC weighting factors (global warming potentials) are used in the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions, eg for CH4 and N2O

Data sources and assumptions

Data

Australian LCI data. The data are maintained in EMMA (Eco-model for Material and Manufacturing Assessment), BHP's LCA data system. Specific data were supplied by James Grose, the Architect for the project, and associates including structural engineers and project estimators. Information on utilisation was provided by Lincolne Scott.

Allocation

This study did not require any allocation. Recycled materials have displacement credits allocated based on the displacement of virgin production.

The approach and allocation rules used in the LCI data conform to ISO guidelines for LCA, and attempt to simulate reality as closely as possible.