Life Cycle Assessment of Interior Finishing Materials Used in Residential Condominium Units in Thailand

Abstract

The construction sector plays an important role in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly from the construction to interior fit-out of residential condominium units. These processes involve extensive use of materials with high embodied carbon resulting from manufacturing, transportation, and installation. In response to increasing competition across all market segments, condominium interior design has become more complex, requiring a greater variety of decorative materials, which may exacerbate environmental impacts.

This research aimed to assess the environmental impacts of interior materials used in residential condominium units in Bangkok, Thailand, by applying a life cycle assessment (LCA) under a Cradle-to-Gate boundary (A1–A3). Nine sample units from three market segments, including luxury, upper, and economy class, were selected as reference models. The study covered materials from seven major interior work categories: exterior doors, internal partitions, interior doors, wall finishes, floor finishes, ceiling finishes, and fixed furniture. The goal was to identify material alternatives that are environmentally preferable and suitable for each market segment.

The study reveals that all proposed material substitution strategies effectively reduce environmental impacts. In the Economy segment, replacing materials in the floor finishes category resulted in a 28.76% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the original materials. In the Upper segment, the highest reduction of 30.20% was achieved through material changes in the fixed furniture category. Similarly, the Luxury segment achieved a 25.10% reduction from substitutions in fixed furniture materials. Notably, the Luxury segment also recorded a total reduction of 20,106.39 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO_₂e) in greenhouse gas emissions. These findings highlight the importance of material selection in sustainable residential design and demonstrate the potential for meaningful emissions reduction.