Climatic influences on the environmental performances of residential buildings: A comparative case study in Turkey

Abstract

This study evaluates the environmental performance of residential projects in Bolu and Mardin, Turkey, by assessing the impact of climatic and architectural context on material selection, construction techniques, and environmental outcomes. Using BIM-based LCA tools, the analysis compares Bolu's humid climate with Mardin's hot and dry conditions across multiple environmental metrics. In the Product (A1-A3) phase, Bolu has higher CO2 emissions, accounting for 79-85% of the total environmental impact, compared to 77-82% in Mardin. However, energy consumption is higher in Mardin during the Product phase. In the Construction (A4) and End of Life (C2-C4) phases, Bolu has a higher energy consumption and environmental impact than Mardin. In terms of waste generation, the End of Life phases (C2-C4) are identified as significant contributors in both case studies. The material analysis shows that concrete, finishing materials (e.g., paint and plaster) and stone wall materials have the highest environmental impacts in both cases. This study aims to provide a detailed examination of how environmental impacts differ due to material use in two different climatic regions. BIM-based LCA methods were used to investigate the influence of regional and climatic differences on environmental performance. The impacts of material components across all life cycle stages were analyzed, and recommendations for their optimization were provided. Future research could focus on the integration of innovative materials and technologies to improve life cycle efficiency. In addition, incorporating data from different geographic regions could broaden the scope of the analysis and contribute significantly to sustainable building practices. Such approaches provide critical opportunities to develop specific strategies for reducing environmental impacts.