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Sustainable Architecture Regards to Global Challenges: Implementation and Evaluation
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Sustainable Architecture Regards to Global Challenges: Implementation and Evaluation

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 9188

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Łukasz Mazur

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Engineering Department, Helena Chodkowska University of Technology and Economics, Jagiellońska 82f, 03-301 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: housing architecture; timber structures; built environment; sustainable architecture; building technology; hybrid structures
Prof. Dr. Anna Bać

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Architecture, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Bolesława Prusa 53/55, 50 317 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: energy-active architecture; sustainable architecture; housing architecture; sustainability education; circular economy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The construction sector is responsible for half of the world's extraction of natural resources, nearly a third of total global final energy consumption, and one-third of global carbon dioxide emissions, and it also produces the most waste of any industry. The world is facing many challenges, such as climate change, environmental devastation, biodiversity loss, and waste and pollution, and also needs to deal with all their consequences. Rapid urban development, uncontrolled urban sprawl, and the heat island effect are taking place. At the same time, human needs, consumption, and the pursuit of comfort are growing. Given that the built environment has a significant impact on the goals and objectives of 2030–2050, this Special Issue focuses on cutting-edge research regarding responsive architectural and urban design. This Special Issue invites all kinds of integrated research that are aimed at real problem-solving through sustainable architecture. We invite designers, researchers and educators to exchange their knowledge and experience in order to improve the natural and built environment for future generations. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Low energy and low carbon buildings;
  • The embodied energy of materials;
  • The whole life cycle of buildings;
  • Zero waste constructions;
  • Environmental impact assessment;
  • Resilient cities and urban growth;
  • Energy-efficient and sustainable technologies;
  • Education towards and beyond sustainability.

Kindly regards,
Dr. Łukasz Mazur
Prof. Dr. Anna Bać
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Buildings 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 2600 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

  • sustainable architecture
  • circular economy
  • building materials
  • energy efficiency
  • decarbonization
  • timber engineering
  • indoor and urban comfort
  • post occupancy evaluation
  • education

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 13947 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Architecture Principles in Sports Facilities: A Case Study in the Karkonosze Mountains
by Anna Wojtas-Harań
Buildings 2025, 15(6), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060927 - 15 Mar 2025
Viewed by 704
Abstract
Creating high-quality architecture that does not negatively impact the environment is currently not only a noble pursuit but also an obligatory action. There is competition in regard to unique architectural proposals that are consistent with the sustainable development paradigm as well as able [...] Read more.
Creating high-quality architecture that does not negatively impact the environment is currently not only a noble pursuit but also an obligatory action. There is competition in regard to unique architectural proposals that are consistent with the sustainable development paradigm as well as able to meet the challenges of recent times (e.g., excessive anthropopressure). Notably, as long as a century ago, architectural solutions were created which—due to their focus on the preservation of the character and beauty of the landscape and nature—can now be classified as sustainable. Sports facilities built in the 20th century in the current Polish Karkonosze Mountains region—one of the highest ranges in the Sudeten Mountains—are an important topic of curiosity that may contribute to solving real problems in the present day. Over the last decade, the author of this article has conducted empirical research in the region, particularly involving the collection of observational data (descriptive and analytical). A detailed analysis of selected sports facilities in the Karkonosze Mountains was carried out, which has created a unique atmosphere of picturesqueness and elegance in connection with tourist-related developments in terms of guesthouses, hostels, and hotels. The main research problem considered in this study concerns the impacts of sports activities on areas with special landscape values and the possibility of establishing universal architectural principles that, when applied to sports facilities, could have a positive impact on the perception of the transformed mountain space, which is subject to pressure from sports and tourist activities. The research results led to the selection of such principles while simultaneously proving the value of sports facilities located in the Karkonosze Mountains and their connections with the architectural and natural surroundings. At the same time, this research raised a question about the postulated and legally binding state of “sustainable development” and, therefore, a question about the “limits to growth” (aurea mediocritas). The characteristics of sports layouts shed light on the eternal unknown, as such solutions result from the interpretation of definitions, in terms of how they correspond to the features of spatial order. Assuming that spatial order is the overriding principle of sustainable architecture, it should be concluded that the principles presented here relate to spatial order and sustainable architecture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Architecture Regards to Global Challenges: Implementation and Evaluation)
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20 pages, 7616 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of Evidence-Based Design Approaches for Built Environment Professional Education: A Case Study on an Urban Design Studio
by Shulin Shi
Buildings 2024, 14(3), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030836 - 20 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2657
Abstract
Urban built environment professions are facing challenges due to the less predictable future of cities, as well as the increasing expectations from clients and the general public. It is crucial to support and inform these professions with sound evidence in order to promote [...] Read more.
Urban built environment professions are facing challenges due to the less predictable future of cities, as well as the increasing expectations from clients and the general public. It is crucial to support and inform these professions with sound evidence in order to promote the sustainability of cities. However, there have been few efforts to introduce evidence-based design (EBD) theories and frameworks into built environment professional education. This study presents an EBD framework for an undergraduate urban design studio. The effectiveness and long-term impact of EBD approaches and the framework presented were examined via learning outcomes, student reflections, and guest comments across two rounds of studio delivery. The reflections and comments were coded and analyzed using NVivo 11. The effectiveness of the EBD approach is confirmed for the premises, development, and effectiveness of urban design proposals that align with the concerns and expectations of professional guests. The wide range of evidence and techniques also fosters cross-disciplinary collaborations. This study sheds light on education in the built environment disciplines, which would further enhance the strength of relevant professions, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Architecture Regards to Global Challenges: Implementation and Evaluation)
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22 pages, 9494 KiB  
Article
External Wall Systems in Passive House Standard: Material, Thermal and Environmental LCA Analysis
by Łukasz Mazur, Olga Szlachetka, Katarzyna Jeleniewicz and Michał Piotrowski
Buildings 2024, 14(3), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030742 - 9 Mar 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3236
Abstract
The construction sector, a significant consumer of energy, possesses the potential to realize substantial environmental and economic advantages through the adoption of innovative technologies and design approaches. Notably, the Passive House standard, exemplified by energy-efficient single-family homes, emerges as a prominent solution. This [...] Read more.
The construction sector, a significant consumer of energy, possesses the potential to realize substantial environmental and economic advantages through the adoption of innovative technologies and design approaches. Notably, the Passive House standard, exemplified by energy-efficient single-family homes, emerges as a prominent solution. This study analyzes five external wall systems across multiple stages: (i) a literature review and examination of external wall techniques within the passive standard, utilizing the Passive House Database; (ii) a material and technological assessment of three wood-based and two masonry constructions; (iii) an in-depth thermal performance analysis of selected external partitions; and (iv) a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the external wall systems. Our findings indicate that among the single-family homes built to the passive standard, 50.94% utilized timber constructions, while 34.21% employed masonry. Thermal analysis revealed that the masonry wall, EW-M-01, exhibited superior thermal efficiency with a heat transfer coefficient (U-value) of 0.0889 W/m2K. Meanwhile, the wooden wall, EW-T-01, led its category with a U-value of 0.1000 W/m2K. The LCA highlighted that the wooden wall EW-T-02 presented the lowest integrated non-renewable energy demand (PENTR) at 425.70 MJ/kg and the most favorable Global Warming Potential (GWP), with a reduction of 55.51 kg CO2e. Conversely, the masonry wall EW-M-01 recorded the highest energy demand and CO2e emissions, at 780.96 MJ/kg and 90.59 kg CO2e, respectively. Water consumption was lowest for the EW-T-02 wooden wall (0.08 m3) and highest for the EW-M-02 masonry wall (0.19 m3). Conclusively, our analysis of passive house external walls demonstrates that wood-based systems offer superior performance in terms of materials, thermal efficiency, and LCA indicators, positioning them as the preferred option for sustainable passive construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Architecture Regards to Global Challenges: Implementation and Evaluation)
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Review

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41 pages, 7571 KiB  
Review
Architectural Education for Sustainability—Case Study of a Higher Education Institution from Poland
by Anna Bać, Kajetan Sadowski, Magdalena Strauchmann, Lea Kazanecka-Olejnik and Krzysztof Cebrat
Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1282; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081282 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 362
Abstract
The building industry contributes to the global environmental challenges; however, sustainable solutions provide opportunities for a relevant architectural response. It is the architect’s role to design with consideration of those issues and potential solutions. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the [...] Read more.
The building industry contributes to the global environmental challenges; however, sustainable solutions provide opportunities for a relevant architectural response. It is the architect’s role to design with consideration of those issues and potential solutions. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the extent to which architecture graduates demonstrate their knowledge about sustainability principles. A total of 346 Bachelor’s and Master’s theses, defended at the Faculty of Architecture, Wrocław University of Science and Technology in 2023, were analysed in terms of Frequency of Occurrence of Sustainable Priority Areas distinguished based on key contemporary policies. In order to validate and compare the results, a baseline from projects submitted to a sustainable competition was prepared. The analysis revealed that only 40% of the examined theses addressed priority areas. An average difference of 56.6% in the Frequency of Occurrence of priority areas was noted between theses and competitions abstracts. Furthermore, tendencies within Frequency of Occurrence of sustainability priorities, as well as formal requirements of the Polish higher education system, were identified and reviewed. Based on all findings, preliminary diagnoses and respective recommendations were proposed. This study is a foundation for further research on architecture graduates’ readiness to tackle environmental challenges within architecture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Architecture Regards to Global Challenges: Implementation and Evaluation)
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