A framework to reduce embodied energy in residential buildings in Sri Lanka

Purpose – This study aimed to examine the ways of minimizing embodied energy in residential buildings in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the study identified current practices and barriers to reducing embodied energy in residential buildings in Sri Lanka. Then, effective measures were identified to overcome the barriers to reducing embodied energy in residential buildings in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach – The qualitative research approach was adopted in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted as the data collection. Sixteen experts relating to the construction industry were selected using a purposive sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed using manual content analysis. Findings – The study identified practices and barriers to reducing embodied energy in residential buildings in Sri Lanka, along with effective measures to mitigate the identified barriers. Findings hold significant value for industry practitioners to design low-embodied energy residential buildings in Sri Lanka. Originality/value – While several studies have separately investigated the reduction of operational energy, the novel contribution of this study lies in unique exploration of the reduction of embodied energy especially in residential buildings in Sri Lanka. Despite existing literature, there has been a noticeable gap in investigating how to reduce embodied energy in buildings. Therefore, the findings of this study offer innovative approaches to designing low-embodied energy buildings.