Unboxing Carbon: Henning Larsen expands open-source carbon catalogues

Henning Larsen is taking significant strides to support sustainable design with the expansion of their data-driven carbon catalogues. Targeting architects and designers, these catalogues provide vital information on the carbon emissions associated with building materials, empowering professionals to make more environmentally friendly choices.

Responding to the Climate Crisis
With the growing urgency for climate action in the construction industry, Henning Larsen launched the “Unboxing Carbon” course in 2021. This carbon literacy initiative aimed to equip designers with essential insights into the environmental impacts of building materials. Initially, this effort resulted in the release of the first “Unboxing Carbon Catalogue” for exterior construction materials in 2022. Now, the initiative has expanded into two comprehensive catalogues—one dedicated to interior materials and an updated edition for exterior materials.

A Data-Driven Approach to Sustainable Design
The catalogues are a product of workshops conducted during the “Unboxing Carbon” course, which drew contributions from over 1,000 participants since its inception. Quality-controlled by Henning Larsen, the data includes metrics such as Global Warming Potential (GWP), sourced from Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These metrics provide architects and interior designers with practical, data-driven tools to make more informed decisions, ensuring that sustainability is at the forefront of design.

Holistic Material Insights
The expanded catalogues offer a holistic understanding of the environmental impact of both interior and exterior materials. By providing clear and accessible information, these resources help design professionals reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint.

Making Carbon-Conscious Design Accessible to All
“Our aim with these catalogues is to give back to the industry—providing visually appealing, easily readable, and quality-controlled resources that professionals can directly use in their projects and in discussions with clients,” says Martha Lewis, Head of Materials at Henning Larsen. “The data is organised by category, broken down into understandable units per square metre, and sourced from Environmental Product Declarations. We want to make this information accessible—no need for complex tools, BIM expertise, or in-depth interpretation skills—just straightforward, visual graphics to support carbon-conscious design decisions.”

Interior Material Catalogue: New Insights
The newly released “Unboxing Carbon – Interior Material Catalogue” provides detailed insights into a variety of materials, including wallboards, system walls, interior cladding, tiles, countertops, and other interior finishes. These resources are particularly beneficial for designers looking to make sustainable choices when selecting materials for indoor spaces.

Updated Exterior Material Catalogue
The updated exterior materials catalogue features a broader selection of materials, including roofing, insulation, and refreshed data points. This update reflects the latest advancements in material manufacturing and environmental policy, helping to guide designers in reducing the carbon footprint of exterior construction elements.

Empowering Sustainable Choices
The information provided by these catalogues is highly relevant for architects and interior designers committed to reducing the carbon impact of their projects. By offering clear, accessible data, Henning Larsen aims to empower design professionals to make more sustainable decisions, ultimately contributing to a greener built environment.

Source: Henning Larsen
Photos: Henning Larsen