Sustainability framework for buildings via data analytics

Sustainability is the most important goal to pursue in all aspects of human activity, not least of which in the built environment. Sustainability encompasses social, economic and ecological impacts which are influenced by collinear and correlated factors. A qualitative description of sustainability is a necessary but not sufficient requirement as it could be misleading and counterproductive. Accordingly, a Sustainability Performance Metric (SPM) framework was formulated using latent variable methods to manage sustainability indicators. The development of SPM was guided conceptually by sustainability principles and its implementation by objective and function statements. Single-family-detached housing was employed as a test of the concept. Corresponding datasets were generated using reliable models, specifically Athena Impact Estimator for Buildings, EnergyPlus, Building Information Modelling software, and an Input/Output socio-economic predictor. The results revealed the importance of observing all aspects of sustainability through a metric such as the SPM, the sensitivity of the SPM to the correlated factors, and the impacts of construction trends appearing in the North American marketplace on sustainability. •Mathematical framework put forward to generate a sustainability performance metric.•Metric developed for housing reveals sensitivity of sustainability to design inputs.•Metric must observe all dimensions of sustainability to avoid unsustainable design.