Image courtesy of MVRDV
MVRDV has released CarbonSpace, a free, web-based tool designed to help architects address embodied carbon from the earliest stages of design. Developed by MVRDV NEXT in collaboration with Studio AvW, the platform aims to promote carbon literacy and transparency by providing rapid feedback and comparative analysis without requiring detailed models or paid databases.
Image courtesy of MVRDV
Unlike conventional carbon assessment software, which often demands precise inputs late in the process, CarbonSpace functions from the “napkin sketch” stage. The tool uses quantity estimates and simplified data from the open-source Ökobaudat database to inform design decisions and track the carbon impact of materials and systems.
Image courtesy of MVRDV
The tool integrates with Rhino, Revit, and Microsoft Power BI via an open API, allowing users to generate custom dashboards and visualize project performance. MVRDV has employed the tool internally to monitor the carbon footprint of its portfolio and progress toward 2030 climate goals. The tool is not the first to be developed by MVRDV, with MVRDV NEXT also launching a tool in 2022 to aid design possibilities for Rotterdam’s rooftops.
Image courtesy of MVRDV
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