Henning Larsen has expanded its Unboxing Carbon initiative with the release of two open-source catalogs detailing the carbon emissions of building materials for architects and designers. Originally launched in 2021 as a carbon literacy course, “Unboxing Carbon” aims to address the construction industry’s need for climate action by providing practical knowledge on the environmental impact of materials.

The first catalog, focused on exterior materials, was released in 2022. The latest updated edition now includes an interior materials catalog, covering options like wallboards, tiles, countertops, and finishes. Meanwhile, the exterior catalog now includes roofing and insulation materials, with refreshed data reflecting current manufacturing and environmental standards.

The catalogs draw on data from over 1,000 participants in Henning Larsen’s workshops and include metrics like Global Warming Potential (GWP) from Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Quality-controlled by Henning Larsen, the catalogs seek to offer architects accessible, data-driven tools to make informed design decisions with a reduced carbon footprint.

“These catalogs are our way of giving back to the industry - providing graphically appealing, easily readable, quality-controlled catalogs that professionals can use directly in their projects and in discussion with clients,” said Martha Lewis, Head of Materials, Henning Larsen, about the publications. “The data is sourced from Environmental Product Declarations, organized by category, and broken down to an easily understandable unit, per square meter. Our aim is to keep the information accessible, no complex digital tools, BIM, or EPD interpretation skills required, just straightforward, visual graphics for immediate use in carbon-conscious design decisions.”

Both catalogs are now available for download here.