5 October 2026
Alper Kanyilmaz’s new book “Life Cycle Driven Structures” has been published by John Wiley & Sons (hardcover, 352 pages, ISBN 978-1394300525). The book is also available in both hard cover and digital formats.
As sustainability becomes central to design and construction, professionals can no longer rely on intuition alone: they need Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to measure and reduce embodied carbon. Life Cycle Driven Structures bridges theory and practice by integrating life cycle thinking directly into structural design decision-making, across all stages of a building’s life, from material sourcing and construction to operation and end-of-life.
Written to fill a critical gap in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) curricula and practice, the book shows how LCA can inform the choice of materials, structural systems and construction methods. Dedicated chapters on steel, reinforced concrete and mass timber structures offer nuanced comparisons and clear guidance on the use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), carbon databases and reduction strategies.
- Covers the full building life cycle, aligned with ISO 14000 and the EN 15804/EN 15978 framework
- Presents comparative LCA results for different structural systems and material choices
- Features international real-world case studies and hands-on exercises
- Discusses the key tools, databases and EPDs used in LCA
- Draws on insights from cutting-edge European research projects and years of teaching experience
The book grows out of the course “Life-Cycle Driven Structures” and the training that Alper Kanyilmaz delivers every year to more than 300 students and professionals at Politecnico di Milano and across Europe. It is intended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in civil engineering, architecture and construction management, and as a reference for AEC professionals pursuing lower-carbon practices in industry.
The book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.it/Cycle-Driven-Structures-Alper-Kanyilmaz/dp/1394300522
