Background This development project has been a cornerstone of the CRCCI objectives of creating more sustainable, liveable communities. With LCADesign users can measure and compare changes to new and refurbished designs. They can see in seconds the impact of design improvements across human health, ecosystems, resources, carbon greenhouse gas emissions and dollar cost. Users may select from any combination of over seventy measures.

Building operating energy and water as well as building product selections can be changed in seconds and new results generated to show comparative numbers, graphs and eco-profiles.

The products, energy and water database allow designers to show the ecological and economic cost of a client’s design choices. At a mouse click users can compare the eco-preferred and conventional product options. Databases are also available for Californian, German and Dutch supply chains.

As global pressure mounts for greener buildings this software provides industry with the exact information required for direct comparison and iterative design optimisation.

CRCCI The Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation is a national collaboration of industry, government and research partners made possible through a $14 million Federal Government grant. This was also complemented by a $50 million cash in-kind contribution from industry partners.

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The LCADesign software was developed over the past eight years by a team led by the Brisbane-based CRCCI working with the QUT, RMIT, QDPW, CSIRO and other leading research and industry partners.

LCADesign software and database development began in 2001. The prototype underwent industry trials from 2003 to 2005 and redevelopment between 2006 and 2008. The Commercial Version was launched by Peter Garrett the Federal Minister for the Environment and The Arts at the World Sustainable Building Conference in Melbourne in September 2008.

Ecquate Pty Ltd is an Australian company holding the global license for marketing, distribution and development of LCADesign software and databases. It provides unique services to enable clients to assess ecoprofiles of their products and assets.

Consultants from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart offer practical advice, industry experience and leading edge capabilities to customise LCADesign for inhouse, supply, procurement and marketing applications. Service is backed-up by advanced technology, databases and libraries allied to LCADesign.

Principal shareholders are Delwyn Jones, Selwyn Tucker, Murray Jones and Otto Newhouse.