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Heritage Buildings: Latest Advances and Prospects
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Heritage Buildings: Latest Advances and Prospects

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 4095

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Graziella Bernardo

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Guest Editor
Department for Humanistic, Scientific and Social Innovations, Basilicata University, 75100 Matera, Italy
Interests: tailor-made green materials; continuum building design; waste upcycling; heritage building materials passports
Prof. Dr. Luis Palmero-Iglesias

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Building Constructions, Polytechnic University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: circular economy; maintenance engineering; distributed energy resources and hybrid renewable systems; energy efficiency; energy sustainability; construction and demolition waste management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Domenico Caputo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
ACLabs—Applied Chemistry Labs, Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
Interests: materials engineering; porous materials; zeolite and related materials for energy and environmental applications; adsorption and ion exchange; sustainable construction materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ilaria Capasso

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Geology, University of Chieti-Pescara “G d’Annunzio”, Viale Pindaro 43, 65127 Pescara, Italy
Interests: materials science; geopolymers; construction and building materials; waste recycling; porous and foamy inorganic materials; hybrid foams; sustainable and innovative building materials; thermal-acoustic insulating materials; chemical-physical, microstructural, and mechanical characterization of materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heritage buildings are invaluable cultural assets that connect communities to their history, architectural traditions, and collective identity. However, their conservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse present significant challenges, requiring a balance between historical integrity, technological advancements, and sustainability. In the face of climate change, heritage buildings are increasingly vulnerable to environmental risks, necessitating innovative and resilient conservation strategies. Additionally, emerging concepts such as circular design and heritage building material passports are transforming the way we document, manage, and restore historic buildings, while minimizing resource consumption and environmental impact. Contributions to this Special Issue will explore topics such as digital documentation techniques, sustainable materials, and adaptive reuse strategies. Special attention will be given to climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, including energy-efficient retrofitting, environmental impact assessments, and disaster risk reduction for heritage sites. The Issue will also investigate how circular design principles can enhance the longevity and sustainability of historic buildings by promoting resource efficiency, reversible interventions, and low-carbon conservation approaches. Beyond technical and scientific advancements, this Issue will also address policy frameworks, community engagement, and participatory approaches that contribute to sustainable heritage management. By bringing together researchers, conservation specialists, architects, engineers, and policymakers, it aims to foster an interdisciplinary discussion and encourage best practices for ensuring the long-term preservation of heritage buildings in the face of evolving environmental and societal challenges.

We welcome original research articles, case studies, and review papers that contribute to advancing knowledge in heritage building conservation, particularly in relation to sustainability and climate resilience.

Topics of Interest:

  1. Sustainable materials and eco-friendly restoration strategies;
  2. circular design principles in heritage conservation;
  3. adaptive reuse: balancing preservation with contemporary needs;
  4. heritage policies, legal frameworks, and governance models;
  5. community engagement and participatory approaches in heritage management;
  6. climate change mitigation and adaptation for heritage structures;
  7. disaster risk reduction and resilience strategies for heritage buildings;
  8. digital technologies in heritage documentation and conservation (BIM, AI, digital material passports, laser scanning, photogrammetry);
  9. energy-efficient and seismic retrofitting of historic buildings;
  10. innovative methodologies for historical building restoration.

We look forward to receiving your contributions

Prof. Dr. Graziella Bernardo
Prof. Dr. Luis Palmero-Iglesias
Prof. Dr. Domenico Caputo
Dr. Ilaria Capasso
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • regenerative conservation
  • heritage circularity
  • resilient adaptation
  • sustainable materials
  • smart heritage management
  • low-impact retrofitting
  • climate change mitigation

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 8307 KB  
Article
Research-Based Contemporary Intervention in Heritage Architecture: The New Doorway of San Juan del Hospital
by Luis Cortés-Meseguer and Jorge García-Valldecabres
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1331; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031331 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 195
Abstract
The Church of San Juan del Hospital in Valencia (Spain) is a Gothic church whose main architectural feature—the western façade—remained unresolved, posing structural and compositional challenges. The intervention addressed this issue while preserving the historical integrity of the building and its heritage context. [...] Read more.
The Church of San Juan del Hospital in Valencia (Spain) is a Gothic church whose main architectural feature—the western façade—remained unresolved, posing structural and compositional challenges. The intervention addressed this issue while preserving the historical integrity of the building and its heritage context. A systematic methodology was applied, following principles of reversibility, sustainability, and compatibility with medieval ribbed-vault construction. The project resolved five key aspects: completion of the nave’s façade, coverage of the former atrium remains, access from the north courtyard, compositional coherence of the west courtyard front, and integration of the church and museum entrances. Contemporary materials and techniques, including aluminum, recycled wood, and handmade ceramic brick, were selected to harmonize with historic stonework, ensure durability, and minimize environmental impact. Design strategies guided visual perception, emphasizing the lower façade and resolving dispersive compositional elements, while creating functional spaces for ventilation, climate control, and circulation. This intervention demonstrates how a methodical, heritage-sensitive approach can solve complex architectural problems, combining innovation with historical authenticity, and enhancing both the functionality and aesthetic experience of the Church of San Juan del Hospital. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Buildings: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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21 pages, 3713 KB  
Article
The Potential of Material and Product Passports for the Circular Management of Heritage Buildings
by Antonella Violano, Roxana Georgiana Aenoai, Genesis Camila Cervantes Puma and Luís Bragança
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 865; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020865 - 14 Jan 2026
Viewed by 245
Abstract
Interventions on Heritage Buildings (HBs) involve significant challenges due to their tangible (embodied in the material, architectural, physical and technical integrity of the cultural asset), and intangible values (linked to socio-historical–cultural and collective identity, memory, customs and symbols meanings), which must be preserved [...] Read more.
Interventions on Heritage Buildings (HBs) involve significant challenges due to their tangible (embodied in the material, architectural, physical and technical integrity of the cultural asset), and intangible values (linked to socio-historical–cultural and collective identity, memory, customs and symbols meanings), which must be preserved while also adapting to current sustainability and circular economy goals. However, current conservation and management practices often lack systematic tools to trace, assess, and organise material and component information, hindering the implementation of circular strategies. In line with the European Union’s objectives for climate neutrality and resource efficiency and sufficiency, Material and Product Passports (MPPs) have emerged as digital tools that enhance data traceability, interoperability and transparency throughout a building’s lifecycle. This paper examines the potential of MPPs to support circular management of HBs by analysing the structure of MPPs and outlining the information flows generated by rehabilitation, maintenance and adaptive reuse strategies. A mixed methods approach, combining literature review and data structure analysis, is adopted to identify how the different categories of data produced during maintenance, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse processes can be integrated into MPP modules. The research highlights the conceptual opportunities of MPPs to document and interlink historical, cultural, and technical data, thereby improving decision-making and transparency across intervention stages. The analysis suggests that adapting MPPs to the specificities of historic contexts, such as authenticity preservation, reversibility, and contextual sensitivity, can foster innovative, sustainable, and circular practices in the conservation and management of HBs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Buildings: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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26 pages, 3873 KB  
Article
Integrating Eco-Design Strategies in the Energy Retrofitting of Mid-20th Century Heritage Buildings: The Case of Antonio Rueda’s Housing Complex
by Elena Bernardini, Pablo Luis Palmero-Sánchez, Carla De-Juan-Ripoll and Pilar Rodrigo-Catalán
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020564 - 6 Jan 2026
Viewed by 195
Abstract
This study investigates the integration of eco-design strategies in the energy renovation of mid-20th century heritage buildings, using the Antonio Rueda Residential Complex in Valencia (Spain) as a representative case study. The research addresses the reconciliation between heritage conservation and contemporary environmental objectives [...] Read more.
This study investigates the integration of eco-design strategies in the energy renovation of mid-20th century heritage buildings, using the Antonio Rueda Residential Complex in Valencia (Spain) as a representative case study. The research addresses the reconciliation between heritage conservation and contemporary environmental objectives by evaluating the building in terms of its construction and current performance. The multidisciplinary working methodology consists of creating a BIM-based workflow (Revit + Autodesk Insight) to generate an analytical energy model, quantify Operational Carbon, and evaluate the impact of lighting inside the homes to simulate the impacts of the intervention strategies. This is justified as existing buildings are energy intensive and heavily dependent on fossil fuels, largely due to insufficient façade insulation, obsolete window systems, and limited solar protection. Nine refurbishment scenarios were developed, ranging from reversible improvements to the building envelope to volumetric extensions inspired by the principles of eco-design and circularity. Comparative simulations suggest that specific improvements could significantly reduce energy demand while remaining compatible with the architectural identity of the complex. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Buildings: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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17 pages, 2961 KB  
Article
Mapping Decay: A GIS-Based Assessment of Historic Defensive Heritage and Its Latent Landscape in Castellón, Spain
by Pablo Altaba Tena and Juan A. García-Esparza
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(23), 12438; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312438 - 24 Nov 2025
Viewed by 387
Abstract
This study examines how the values of authenticity and integrity can be integrated into territorial and landscape planning, moving beyond a restoration-based view of heritage. It focuses on the defensive architecture system of Castellón province (Spain), which features around 150 fortifications forming a [...] Read more.
This study examines how the values of authenticity and integrity can be integrated into territorial and landscape planning, moving beyond a restoration-based view of heritage. It focuses on the defensive architecture system of Castellón province (Spain), which features around 150 fortifications forming a continuous landscape between coastal and inland areas. In a context of urban pressure, rural depopulation, and heritage tourism, this research explores how the management of these assets can be aligned with coherent territorial strategies. The aim is to assess the material, visual, and symbolic coherence of the system and to understand the tensions between physical conservation, cultural authenticity, and landscape transformation. The methodology combines documentary review, spatial analysis using GIS, and fieldwork, applying qualitative indicators of material authenticity, territorial integrity, and scenic value adapted from ICOMOS guidance and established scientific literature. The results reveal a clear contrast: 62% of urban castles are restored or consolidated, while 71% of rural ones remain in ruins, and 82% preserve high visual integrity. This paradox shows that heritage sustainability is less dependent on formal reconstruction (only 14% are fully restored) than on maintaining relationships between architecture, environment, and community. This study proposes an integrated territorial management approach that links conservation, use, and landscape as interdependent components of a single cultural system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Buildings: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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35 pages, 15202 KB  
Article
Constructive Modelling and Structural Analysis of the Church of Santos Juanes: An Approach Using Non-Destructive Techniques
by Jose Miguel Molines-Cano, Ana Almerich-Chulia, Jaime Llinares Millán and Jose-Luis Vivancos
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9661; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179661 - 2 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1120
Abstract
Historic masonry churches are highly vulnerable to structural degradation and seismic hazards due to their geometric complexity, material ageing, and lack of detailed construction records. The Church of Santos Juanes in Valencia, a monument of exceptional historical and architectural value, presents these challenges, [...] Read more.
Historic masonry churches are highly vulnerable to structural degradation and seismic hazards due to their geometric complexity, material ageing, and lack of detailed construction records. The Church of Santos Juanes in Valencia, a monument of exceptional historical and architectural value, presents these challenges, intensified by centuries of transformations and partial loss of documentation. In this study, we develop a comprehensive methodology that integrates historical research, non-destructive testing (3D laser scanning with Leica Geosystems Cyclone v9.1.1; infrared thermography, commercial software; ground-penetrating radar with gprMax 2016 and GPR-SLICE v7.MT), and advanced finite element modelling (Angle v1). The integrated survey data enabled the creation of an accurate 3D geometric model, the detection of hidden construction elements, and the characterisation of subsoil stratigraphy. Structural simulations under static and seismic loading—considering soil–structure interaction—revealed the high global stiffness of the complex, the influence of the Baroque vault on load distribution, and localised vulnerabilities, particularly in the San Juan ‘O’ façade, which coincide with existing cracks confirmed by thermography. This methodological framework not only advances the diagnosis and conservation of Santos Juanes but also provides a replicable model for assessing and safeguarding other heritage buildings with similar typological and structural challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Buildings: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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33 pages, 32635 KB  
Article
Fire Resilience Evaluation of a Historic University Building in China
by Bo Huang, Junwu Wang and Chunbao Yuan
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(16), 9131; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15169131 - 19 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1006
Abstract
In recent years, the preservation of historic university buildings has gained increasing attention, particularly in the context of fire safety, as building fires pose significant threats to these structures. In alignment with global initiatives on resilient cities and communities, a focus on enhancing [...] Read more.
In recent years, the preservation of historic university buildings has gained increasing attention, particularly in the context of fire safety, as building fires pose significant threats to these structures. In alignment with global initiatives on resilient cities and communities, a focus on enhancing fire resilience in historic university buildings has emerged. From the perspective of fire resilience in historic university buildings, this study constructs an IDIA model for evaluating fire resilience in historic university buildings based on the improved Delphi method(ID), the Interpretive Structure Model (ISM), and the Analytical Network Process (ANP). This model objectively identifies fire resilience indicators for historic university buildings, explores the interactions between influencing factors, and analyzes the priorities of factors influencing fire resilience in historic university buildings, thereby improving the overall fire resilience of the historic university building system. This research focused on the administrative and teaching buildings of the former Central South School of Architecture and Engineering on the Mafangshan Campus of Wuhan University of Technology. The results indicate that fire resistance levels, the fire water supply system and fire awareness are extremely important indicators of fire resilience in historic university buildings. This research framework contributes to understanding the fire resilience of historic university buildings and is of vital importance for building resilient communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Buildings: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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