ABSTRACT
A number of studies (Zhai & Previtali 2010) have pointed out that European construction mainly takes place on a mass scale. The sample chosen was a single-family detached house, as this is the most frequent type of home in Europe. A recent study of European building stock (Nemry et al. 2008) has shown that 52% consists of houses of this type and that, in spite of the wide variety of building types included in this, the sample population is sufficiently large to provide reasonable conclusions. Of the climate zones used in the study, our sample can be identified as belonging to the Mediterranean Area. This is the least efficient of the climate zones, as defined by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and was chosen as the subject for study as it allows the above-mentioned LCA categories to be optimized. The single-family dwelling in question is situated in Valencia, its geographical coordinates being N 39º28’56’’ O 0º20’14’’. It consists of a ground floor and a first floor. The building envelope and internal vertical columns are made of solid brick and lime mortar. The floor is consists of brick beam fill and gypsum mortar constructed on top of solid wooden beams. Plans of the sample can be seen in Figure 1 (Del Rey 2007). Figures 2-3 contain photographs of the building and an aerial view of its location, respectively.The methodology consisted of assessing the two previously mentioned LCA categories, during the construction and useful life phases, for each of the three structural systems.
