Economic and Environmental Scenario Analysis of a Finnish Wood-based Case Building

The construction industry is a major contributor to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, highlighting the need for more sustainable building practices. While building costs often drive project decision-making, environmental impacts from material production to building operation are considered equally significant. Wood has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional construction materials, offering reduced carbon emissions and potential cost savings. This study aims to assess the environmental and economic performance of a wooden-framed educational building in Finland, with a focus on life-cycle carbon emissions and cost-effectiveness. The case building is a single-story structure with glulam external walls, beams, and columns. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and cost analysis has been conducted using LCA tools provided by the Finnish Ministry of Environment, alongside a comparative scenario analysis involving alternative structural materials. Three alternative scenarios have been designed with different materials utilized for external walls and the structure, i.e., beams and columns. The findings reveal that wood-based structures can achieve substantial reductions in carbon emissions while remaining cost-competitive, particularly in early life-cycle stages compared to conventional reinforced concrete options. The results of this study partially challenge the widely recognized barrier to adopting greener building practices, namely the incremental cost of sustainable construction. Additionally, scenario analysis highlights the potential for hybrid structural systems to balance environmental benefits with economic feasibility. This research contributes practical insights into how contractors and policymakers can adopt wood and hybrid materials to support low-carbon construction goals.