A Multi-Criteria Approach to Sustainable Building Material Selection: A Case Study in a Japanese Context

In the effort to reduce the environmental impact of buildings, the correct selection of building materials has great importance since a building is complex system consisting of many different materials. With this background, a multi-criteria decision-making approach has recently been paid attention. This study demonstrated the influence of building material selection on the environmental and economic parameters of a building in a Japanese context. The effects of the selection were investigated on the five structural frame options in a comparative manner using a reference building model. The aim was to illustrate the features of the building materials in a relative manner from several aspects in order to help multi-criteria decision-making for professionals associated with the construction industry. The results showed that the value of alternative materials varies depending on the aspects. It was also indicated that which building elements and components should be preceded to enhance the sustainability of a building, from a material perspective. There is no perfect material in every sense. Thus, it should be important to select suitable materials according to the purpose and their features on a case-by-case basis. In addition, in order to widen the range of selection, the market system that could connect economic aspects to the other aspects and enable several factors to equally be considered in the decision-making process needs to be developed as well.