Whole-life cost is the total expense of owning an asset over its entire life, from purchase to disposal, as determined by financial analysis.
Therefore, this assessment asks the student to investigate the cost components of a specific type of building and identify the main factors influencing its life-cycle cost.
Through exploring the critical cost implications, the student is required to find out how these factors would impact the decision-making and consider how to contribute to more cost-effective and sustainable construction project.
This assessment represents 40% and is related to Unit Learning Outcome 5.choose ONE of the following topics and write an essay (minimum 1,500 words, excluding references):
Topic 1: Whole life cost implications of green non-residential buildings
Topic 2: Whole life cost implications of prefabricated buildings
Topic 3: Whole life cost implications of green retrofit buildings
You are expected to search literatures and write an essay in the form of mini literature review.
(1) Identify and describe the major cost components in different phases of a building’s life cycle
(2) Discuss the cost implications from a whole life perspective
(3) Discuss how these cost implications impact the relevant decision-making processes
(4) Refer to academic journal articles.