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Advances in Green Buildings
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Advances in Green Buildings

A special issue of Architecture (ISSN 2673-8945).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2026 | Viewed by 6791

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Cheng Siew Goh

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Architecture and Built Environment Department, University of Northumbria, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
Interests: sustainability in the built environment; green buildings; human-centric approach; life cycle management; risk management; construction project management
Dr. Steve Rowlinson

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Real Estate and Construction, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Interests: procurement systems and integrated project delivery; construction occupational health; safety and wellbeing; digital construction; occupational heat stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the world faces unprecedented challenges arising from climate change and urbanisation, the need for sustainability in the built environment has never been more critical. Green buildings are at the forefront of sustainable transformation within the built environment, but critiques have been received regarding the evolving challenges in the current adoption and implementation of green building technologies and practices. Complexity in implementation, unpredictable performance, regulatory barriers and financial constraints are amongst the bottlenecks affecting advancing green buildings to meet the global net zero goals. In addition to carbon footprint reductions, new materials and smart technologies should anticipate and respond to evolving climate conditions and human needs in real time. Broader environmental concerns and equity issues need to be tackled. To enable advances in green buildings, it is essential to re-examine the current practice and refine green building solutions to make them more inclusive, efficient and cost effective, with an enhanced adaptative ability to change cultural and regionals needs for sustainability.

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore innovative green technologies, eco-conscious design, smart ideas and climate-responsive strategies to present opportunities for advances in green buildings.

This Special Issue will focus on, but is not limited to, the following themes:

  • Nature-based solutions and biophilic design;
  • Passive and active design;
  • Self-healing materials;
  • Carbon neutral or carbon positive technologies/systems;
  • Carbon sequestering materials and bio-based materials;
  • Circular economy and upcycling;
  • AI-driven/data-driven energy management;
  • Climate-adaptative/climate-responsive architecture;
  • Urban green/urban farming integration;
  • Smart building water management systems;
  • Living/self-sustaining buildings;
  • Green building policies and regulatory frameworks.

Dr. Cheng Siew Goh
Dr. Steve Rowlinson
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. Architecture is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1200 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

  • green buildings innovations
  • carbon neutral/carbon positive solutions
  • climate responsive architecture
  • nature-based solutions
  • circular economy
  • AI-driven/data-driven energy management
  • circular economy
  • living buildings
  • carbon policies and regulations

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 716 KB  
Article
Design-Led Innovation for Sustainable Green Indoor Environmental Quality Management in Residential Buildings
by Musab Rabi and Noor Sawalmeh
Architecture 2025, 5(4), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture5040109 - 12 Nov 2025
Viewed by 758
Abstract
This study aims to explore and enhance sustainable design practices for improving indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in residential buildings in Jordan, particularly within government institutions. It focuses on integrating design capabilities, core technologies, and human-centered values to develop a context-specific framework for green [...] Read more.
This study aims to explore and enhance sustainable design practices for improving indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in residential buildings in Jordan, particularly within government institutions. It focuses on integrating design capabilities, core technologies, and human-centered values to develop a context-specific framework for green IEQ management. A mixed-method approach is employed, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The study includes a comprehensive literature review, expert interviews, and focus group discussions, followed by a structured survey with 100 residential building occupants. Three key pillars—core technologies and competences, business models, and human values—are identified and analyzed to guide the development of an innovative IEQ framework. The proposed framework is validated by domain experts to ensure alignment with Jordan’s socio-economic and environmental conditions. The findings reveal that integrating technological innovation, adaptable business models, and occupant well-being significantly enhances the implementation of sustainable IEQ strategies. This research offers a novel design-led framework tailored to the Jordanian context, addressing the underexplored intersection between human-centered design and sustainable IEQ practices. Unlike traditional approaches focused primarily on energy efficiency, this study incorporates social and institutional dimensions to enable more holistic and implementable solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Buildings)
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42 pages, 7992 KB  
Article
Green Building Design Strategies for Residential Areas in Informal Settlements of Developing Countries
by Eric Nkurikiye and Xuan Ma
Architecture 2025, 5(4), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture5040102 - 24 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1474
Abstract
Informal settlements, urban areas with substandard housing conditions and inadequate infrastructure, are increasing in Africa’s sub-Saharan cities, fueled by rapid urbanization, economic challenges, and high housing prices. However, developers often ignore the green building (GB) concept when upgrading housing conditions for these communities. [...] Read more.
Informal settlements, urban areas with substandard housing conditions and inadequate infrastructure, are increasing in Africa’s sub-Saharan cities, fueled by rapid urbanization, economic challenges, and high housing prices. However, developers often ignore the green building (GB) concept when upgrading housing conditions for these communities. This study aims to investigate GB design strategies specifically for residential structures in Akabahizi to identify and propose practical strategies suitable for informal settlements such as Akabahizi and to develop sustainable housing solutions that enhance environmental quality and meet the needs of residents. Simulation software and combined qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, including field surveys, interviews, and assessments of existing building conditions, constitute the methodology used in this study. The focus was on the influence of climatic factors, including temperature, precipitation, and wind, on design choices, particularly GB design and current residential buildings in Akabahizi. Based on the survey, 82.5% of residents support the GB concept, 87.4% recognize the importance of GB for community well-being, and 97.1% recognize the benefits of integrating energy-efficient technology for residents’ well-being. Questionnaire findings were considered in decision-making for the design of the new proposed structure to address challenges in the area. Optimized energy efficiency, daylight access, and thermal comfort resulting from courtyard design support GB design incorporating a courtyard as a robust and culturally relevant sustainable design framework tailored for Akabahizi. The courtyard provides green space that promotes social interaction, improves air quality, and delivers natural cooling elements that are essential for residential housing. The proposed new design, with green roof and renewable energy devices, improved material usage, and natural ventilation elements, outperformed the existing one in terms of lower levels of carbon emission for environmental protection. In conclusion, a collaborative effort is needed among various stakeholders, including architects, urban planners, and educational institutions, to promote and implement sustainable building practices. The study suggests that enhancing awareness, offering training opportunities, and empowering local professionals and residents alike can pave the way for improved living conditions and sustainable urban development in Akabahizi and similar informal settlements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Buildings)
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14 pages, 3609 KB  
Article
Impact of Bioinspired Infill Pattern on the Thermal and Energy Efficiency of 3D Concrete Printed Building Envelope
by Girirajan Arumugam, Camelia May Li Kusumo and Tamil Salvi Mari
Architecture 2025, 5(3), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture5030077 - 8 Sep 2025
Viewed by 841
Abstract
The traditional construction industry significantly contributes to global resource consumption and climate change. Conventional methods limit the development of complex and multifunctional architectural forms. In contrast, 3D concrete printing (3DCP), an additive manufacturing technique, enables the creation of intricate building envelopes that integrate [...] Read more.
The traditional construction industry significantly contributes to global resource consumption and climate change. Conventional methods limit the development of complex and multifunctional architectural forms. In contrast, 3D concrete printing (3DCP), an additive manufacturing technique, enables the creation of intricate building envelopes that integrate architectural and energy-efficient functions. Bioinspired design, recognized for its sustainability, has gained traction in this context. This study investigates the thermal and energy performance of various bioinspired and regular 3DCP infill patterns compared to conventional concrete building envelopes in tropical climates. A three-stage methodology was employed. First, bioinspired patterns were identified and evaluated through a literature review. Next, prototype models were developed using Rhino and simulated in ANSYS to assess thermal performance. Finally, energy performance was analyzed using Ladybug and Honeybee tools. The results revealed that honeycomb, spiral, spiderweb, and weaving patterns achieved 35–40% higher thermal and energy efficiency than solid concrete, and about 10% more than the 3DCP sawtooth pattern. The findings highlight the potential of bioinspired spiral infill patterns to enhance the sustainability of 3DCP building envelopes. This opens new avenues for integrating biomimicry into 3DCP construction as a tool for performance optimization and environmental impact reduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Buildings)
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27 pages, 2234 KB  
Article
A Two-Step Fuzzy DEMATEL Analysis of the Barriers to Green Finance in Green Building in Developing Countries
by Caleb Debrah, Albert Ping Chuen Chan, Michael Atafo Adabre, De-Graft Owusu-Manu and Maxwell Fordjour Antwi-Afari
Architecture 2025, 5(3), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture5030075 - 5 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1141
Abstract
Green buildings (GBs) are a means of achieving sustainable construction. However, they face challenges, such as higher (perceived or actual) investment costs and inadequate capital. Green finance (GF) presents opportunities to address some challenges of GB. Barriers hinder GF-in-GB; however, previous studies identifying [...] Read more.
Green buildings (GBs) are a means of achieving sustainable construction. However, they face challenges, such as higher (perceived or actual) investment costs and inadequate capital. Green finance (GF) presents opportunities to address some challenges of GB. Barriers hinder GF-in-GB; however, previous studies identifying barriers to GF-in-GB are limited. Moreover, prior studies have not considered the interrelationships among these barriers. This study aims to identify and prioritize the critical barriers to GF-in-GB in Ghana to inform decision-making by policymakers and stakeholders. This study developed a valid set of barriers and criteria from the literature to ascertain their interactions through two rounds of Delphi surveys with 12 professionals with GF-in-GB experience. A two-step fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (FDEMATEL) method was employed to validate 16 criteria of barriers using linguistic preferences. The findings of this study indicate that split incentives, inadequate private investment, inadequate management support, and limited green projects are critical barriers to GF-in-GB. These criteria deserve critical attention, as they are of high importance cause indices and can give rise to effect barriers. The government can adopt the research findings in policymaking and by other stakeholders that seek to eliminate barriers by focusing on the most influential ones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Buildings)
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38 pages, 9919 KB  
Article
The Effects of Setback Geometry and Façade Design on the Thermal and Energy Performance of Multi-Story Residential Buildings in Hot Arid Climates
by Asmaa Omar, Mohammed M. Gomaa and Ayman Ragab
Architecture 2025, 5(3), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture5030068 - 26 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1696
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of rear setback geometry and façade design parameters on microclimatic conditions, indoor thermal comfort, and energy performance in multi-story residential buildings in hot arid climates, addressing the growing need for climate-responsive design in regions with extreme temperatures and [...] Read more.
This study investigates the influence of rear setback geometry and façade design parameters on microclimatic conditions, indoor thermal comfort, and energy performance in multi-story residential buildings in hot arid climates, addressing the growing need for climate-responsive design in regions with extreme temperatures and high solar radiation. Despite increasing interest in sustainable strategies, the combined effects of urban geometry and building envelope design remain underexplored in these environments. A coupled simulation framework was developed, integrating ENVI-met for outdoor microclimate modeling with Design Builder and EnergyPlus for dynamic building performance analysis. A total of 270 simulation scenarios were examined, combining three rear setback aspect ratios (1.5, 1.87, and 2.25), three window-to-wall ratios (10%, 20%, and 30%), three glazing types (single-, double-, and triple-pane), and two wall insulation states, using customized weather files derived from microclimate simulations. Global sensitivity analysis using rank regression and multivariate adaptive regression splines identified the glazing type as the most influential parameter (sensitivity index ≈ 0.99), especially for upper floors. At the same time, higher aspect ratios reduced peak Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) by up to 5 °C and decreased upper-floor cooling loads by 37%, albeit with a 9.3% increase in ground-floor cooling demand. Larger window-to-wall ratios lowered lighting energy consumption by up to 35% but had minimal impact on cooling loads, whereas wall insulation reduced annual cooling demand by up to 29,441 kWh. The results emphasize that integrating urban morphology with optimized façade components, particularly high-performance glazing and suitable aspect ratios, can significantly improve thermal comfort and reduce cooling energy consumption in hot arid residential contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green Buildings)
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