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The development of concrete technology results in a new generation of cement-based concrete such as high-performance concrete, self-compacting concrete and high-performance, self-compacting concrete. These concretes are characterised by better parameters not only in terms of strength and durability but also rheology of the mixtures. Obtaining such properties requires the adoption of a different composition and proportion of ingredients than ordinary concrete. The greater share of cement in these concretes causes an increase in the energy consumption and emissions (per unit of concrete volume) at the production stage. However, use of new generation concrete allows for a reduction of overall dimensions of a structural element, due to the increased strength parameters. Such a solution may finally result in lower consumption of resources and energy, as well as a decrease of gas emissions. The article presents the results of a comparative environmental analysis of ordinary and new generation concrete structures.

The aim of the study is to characterize the construction and material solutions of building partitions (walls and roof), which takes into account the sustainable development. The analysis includes 3 technologies - 2 traditional variants, used ceramic materials and timber frame and 1 innovative solution based on the expanded polystyrene. These solutions were assessed according to 12 factors, characterizing the most important areas of sustainable development. We observed no clear advantage of one of the analyzed construction-material solutions over the remaining in terms of these factors, what was the starting point for the multi-criteria analysis. A solutions comparison was made using WAP, AHP and TOPSIS methods and technology that best meets the analysis assumptions, was searched. As a result of the study, it was found the dominance of solution using timber frame, three times confirmed (in each method multi-criteria analysis). The results make it possible to compare the technologies, indirectly-indicate building materials, which meet the assumptions of sustainable development and determine degree of implementation of sustainable development in emerging technologies.

The complexity of sustainability complicates the design work and requires the implementation of Integrated Life Cycle Design. Due to the need of balance between environmental, social and economic aspects and the multitude of analysis indicators, the assessment of existing buildings is a multi-criteria problem too. The aim of the study is to compare three construction technologies – two traditional solutions and an innovative technology – in the aspect of sustainable development. The assessment was limited to the building envelope materials and included in entirety of 13 environmental, social and economic indicators, characteristic for the first stage of building life cycle. The absence of explicit dominance of one technology over another in terms of these factors was a starting point for the multi-criteria analysis. Based on the comparison of given technologies by WSM and TOPSIS methods, the multi-criteria analysis was carried out and the most advantageous technology was indicated. The results allow for an indirect selection of building materials to fulfil the sustainability requirements for the building.

The choice of construction technology depends on many factors, which are now increasingly determined by the developing concept of sustainability. Decisions made at the stage of building planning and design should take into account not only the technical but also environmental, social and economic efficiency of the building throughout its life cycle. The aim of the article is the development of the methodology of supporting the technology selection process on the basis of research results, experience and opinions of building users. The DSS (decision support system) developed based on this concept may facilitate potential investors selection of technologies and support designers and constructors to improve their solutions.