What are some considerations architects must take into account when conducting life cycle assessments for contemporary facades?

1. Material selection: Architects must consider the environmental impact of the materials used in constructing facades. They should select materials that are sustainable, durable and can be recycled after their service life is over.
2. Energy efficiency: The facade should be designed to reduce the energy consumption of the building. This can be achieved by selecting materials that are good insulators or by incorporating features such as shading devices or natural ventilation.
3. Maintenanceand repair: Architects must also think about the maintenance and repair requirements of the facade over its service life. They should consider the ease of maintaining or repairing the materials used or the energy required to do so.
4. End-of-life options: Architects must consider what will happen to the facade at the end of its service life. They should select materials that can be recycled, repurposed or disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.
5. Regional considerations: Architects must consider the environmental impact of the facade in the context of its location. Material selection and energy efficiency measures must be tailored to the specific climatic conditions of the region.
6. Life-cycle costing: Architects should consider the life-cycle costs of the facade. This means factoring in the cost of materials, construction, maintenance, repair and disposal over the entire service life of the facade.

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