In a milestone for sustainable construction, Real-Time LCA provides transparency and control of carbon emissions in a large renovation project. The digital collaboration involves Real-Time LCA and developer Melius, working together on the Gadehavegård project in Høje-Taastrup.
While LCA is increasingly required for new builds under Danish building regulation (§ 297–298), renovation projects are not yet uniformly subject to the same rules. Still, Melius sees the importance of understanding and managing climate impact even when regulation does not demand it.
“It is crucial for us to understand the climate impact of the choices we make - also for renovation projects like Gadehavegård,” says Mahad Farah, CEO of Melius.
By integrating Real-Time LCA’s platform into the project workflow, Melius gains access to a digital tool that calculates emissions continuously and transparently, down to material- and producer-level data. This capability enables early decision-making: for example, comparing alternatives for façade systems in terms of CO₂ impact before construction decisions are finalized.
Real-Time LCA integrates directly with 3D models used by architects, engineers, and contractors. It matches building elements in the model to environmental product declarations (EPDs) from tens of thousands of manufacturers. One of its standout features is an AI engine that proactively suggests alternative materials with lower emissions, helping designers and project stakeholders optimize choices as the design evolves.
According to Real-Time LCA’s internal analyses, using generic data (rather than producer-specific EPDs) can overestimate the climate burden of materials by roughly 30–40%. The platform thus helps shift from coarse approximations to more precise, actionable insights.
For the Gadehavegård project, the renovation portion aims for a carbon footprint of just 4 kg CO₂-equivalent per m² per year, while new-build sections target 6.5 kg CO₂e/m²/year.
Achieving such low levels demands scrutiny of every design choice: insulation materials, drywall, façade elements, structural systems, and more. Farah emphasizes that different manufacturers can produce the same component with widely varying emissions profiles, underscoring the necessity of precise data.
By embedding the LCA calculation in the early stages, the platform ensures that emissions are not an afterthought done post-construction - but a guiding parameter throughout the design and procurement process.
Real-Time LCA’s approach exemplifies a broader shift in construction: toward continuous, data-driven sustainability assessments, rather than periodic, static ones. The platform aims to make LCA a shared tool for all stakeholders, not a specialized niche exercise.
Given that Denmark is tightening climate requirements on new buildings (and extending some obligations to construction processes), tools like these may become indispensable. From July 2025, new regulation requires accounting for emissions during the construction phase (A4–A5 modules), not just material and operational phases.
Additionally, the move from generic LCA data to more precise, supplier-specific data reflects a maturation in how the industry measures and holds itself accountable.
The deployment of Real-Time LCA in a high-profile renovation project is a promising illustration of how digital tools can bring climate calculations into the heart of design decisions. For developers like Melius, it offers a competitive edge: the ability to manage, optimize, and document emissions in real time.