Comparative assessing prefabricated and conventional 3D morphology carbon emission intensity of economy chain hotel buildings in Hangzhou

Understanding the influence of building morphology on carbon emissions is essential for developing effective low-carbon strategies in the hospitality sector. This study investigates the carbon emission intensity (CEI) of 200 economy chain hotels in Hangzhou, China, constructed using comparative both prefabricated and conventional methods, from a three-dimensional morphological perspective. A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) framework was adopted, encompassing material production, transportation, construction, renovation, and demolition stages. The analysis explores the relationship between 3D morphological characteristics and CEI under the two construction systems. Results indicate that prefabricated hotels generally exhibit greater carbon reduction efficiency, particularly when applied to regular geometric configurations such as rectangular and polygonal layouts. Additionally, a consistent positive correlation was found between building shape factor and CEI in both prefabricated and traditional constructions, highlighting the critical role of compact architectural form in minimizing lifecycle carbon emissions.