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Existing Environment, Equipment, Materials and Technical Means for Buildings
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Existing Environment, Equipment, Materials and Technical Means for Buildings

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 6945

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Xin Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resources Engineering, Xi′an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
Interests: building ventilation; functional new materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

How to create a pleasing indoor environment has long been a topic of considerable concern for people. An agreeable living environment can provide people not only with physical and mental satisfaction but can also improve their work efficiency and reduce health problems associated with indoor pollution. In order to create a high-quality indoor environment, it is important to first determine the characteristics of existing environments in various buildings and to identify any problems that they may give rise to. On this basis, research can be conducted on factors such as auxiliary equipment, new materials, and design selection processes used in the refurbishment of existing buildings. Such investigations can provide points of reference for future or current building renovations, which can therefore focus comprehensively on creating positive indoor environments.

Dr. Xin Zhang
Guest Editor

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

  • indoor environment
  • buildings materials
  • buildings renovations
  • auxiliary equipment

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 8894 KiB  
Article
A Method for Selecting and Optimizing Pocket Park Design Proposals Based on Multi-Attribute Decision Making
by Xiaosai Duan, Baogang Lin, Lei Meng and Feng Zhao
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071026 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 300
Abstract
To address the issues of subjectivity in the selection of design schemes for pocket parks in public building environments, as well as the lack of scientific and objective decision making, a comprehensive TOPSIS method-based optimization decision model for pocket park design schemes was [...] Read more.
To address the issues of subjectivity in the selection of design schemes for pocket parks in public building environments, as well as the lack of scientific and objective decision making, a comprehensive TOPSIS method-based optimization decision model for pocket park design schemes was developed. Firstly, an evaluation index system for the pocket park design schemes was established through a literature review and expert interviews. Secondly, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Entropy Weight Method (EWM) were employed to determine the weight coefficients of various evaluation criteria, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. Finally, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) algorithm was applied, constructing a weighted decision matrix for the design schemes based on each criterion. By calculating the distance between each evaluation scheme and the ideal solution, the final ranking was determined, thus completing the comprehensive evaluation and optimization of the design schemes. This model was used to assist designers in the decision-making process for scheme optimization, achieving a priority ranking of five pocket park design schemes in a district of Xi’an, and validating the objectivity, feasibility, and scientific nature of this method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Existing Environment, Equipment, Materials and Technical Means for Buildings)
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22 pages, 4204 KiB  
Article
Research on Indoor Health Lighting Design Based on Silicon Substrate Golden Light LED Technology
by Zhuoyi Jiang, Yeqing Zhu, Yihan Wang and Yangyang Wei
Buildings 2025, 15(6), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060932 - 15 Mar 2025
Viewed by 574
Abstract
Silicon substrate golden light LED, as an emerging blue-light-free health lighting technology, has become one of the key technologies for home health lighting environments. This study uses silicon substrate golden light LED as the lighting source for home lighting, and based on the [...] Read more.
Silicon substrate golden light LED, as an emerging blue-light-free health lighting technology, has become one of the key technologies for home health lighting environments. This study uses silicon substrate golden light LED as the lighting source for home lighting, and based on the lighting demands of two indoor types, employs DIALux Evo lighting simulation software to simulate the indoor lighting environment. First, the simulated lighting data for various indoor areas are compared with the national lighting standards (GB/T50034-2024) to verify whether the lighting type meets the home lighting requirements. Next, a comparison is made between the lighting efficiency of silicon substrate golden light LED and a reference sample LED to validate whether the silicon substrate golden light LED possesses high lighting efficiency and low power consumption. Finally, long-term exposure to both the silicon substrate golden light LED and reference sample LED is used to record the secretion levels of melatonin in the human body. The experimental results show that the silicon substrate golden light LED not only provides sufficient home lighting but also demonstrates high efficiency and low power consumption. Additionally, under the illumination of silicon substrate golden light LED, the melatonin secretion concentration significantly increases to (960 ± 15) pg/mL after 2.5 h of exposure, which is 8.2 times higher than that of the conventional LED group (t = 12.34, df = 14, p < 0.001). The silicon substrate golden light LED technology provides a feasible solution for home health lighting design by creating a zero-blue-light health lighting environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Existing Environment, Equipment, Materials and Technical Means for Buildings)
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19 pages, 13993 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Analysis of the Spatial Design Perspective of Wayfinding: The Emergency Room as a Case Study
by Ola Haj-Saleh and Çiğdem Çağnan
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040516 - 7 Feb 2025
Viewed by 859
Abstract
Medical buildings, particularly emergency rooms, can be challenging to navigate, leading to stress and time loss for users if spatial layouts are poorly organized. This study focused on the concept of wayfinding, particularly on oral and visual communication, which has been identified as [...] Read more.
Medical buildings, particularly emergency rooms, can be challenging to navigate, leading to stress and time loss for users if spatial layouts are poorly organized. This study focused on the concept of wayfinding, particularly on oral and visual communication, which has been identified as a human factor influencing the wayfinding process. This study aimed to examine the spatial design phase of emergency rooms in terms of wayfinding. The study approach used quantitative and qualitative methods. A literature review and observations during field visits were carried out. During the field visits, the researchers considered the numbers of human factors in the emergency rooms. Space syntax software was used to analyze the architectural plans from the perspectives of (1) visibility and (2) connectivity, examining the location of human factors in the architectural layouts. A comparative study of three cases in the United Arab Emirates was performed. The following human factors were identified: receptions and two categories of nurse stations, namely, first-look nurse stations (FLNSs) and observation nurse stations (ONSs). The results demonstrate the need for a developmental phase regarding the spatial arrangements of human components, guided by a space syntax analysis, to enhance the wayfinding process in the three emergency room cases. This study provides various recommendations for the repositioning of the human factors in the three case studies: for case study “A”, one of the three human elements should be modified; for case study “B”, only one of the two human elements should be altered; and, for case study “C”, all three human components should be moved to an advantageous position based on the spatial data. The conclusion illustrates the feasibility of adopting a spatial analysis approach for emergency rooms in the early design stages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Existing Environment, Equipment, Materials and Technical Means for Buildings)
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18 pages, 1541 KiB  
Article
Method of Calculating Outdoor PM2.5 Concentration in Fresh Air Systems Based on Population Density Distribution Regions
by Daqian Tang, Xiaoke Guo, Qing Zhao and Xin Zhang
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 3010; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14093010 - 22 Sep 2024
Viewed by 819
Abstract
With the gradual increase in population density, population migration poses unprecedented challenges to urban environments and their capacity. The fresh air system effectively ensures fresh air in indoor environments. An important parameter affecting the selection of a fresh air filtration system is calculating [...] Read more.
With the gradual increase in population density, population migration poses unprecedented challenges to urban environments and their capacity. The fresh air system effectively ensures fresh air in indoor environments. An important parameter affecting the selection of a fresh air filtration system is calculating particulate matter at a concentration of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5). The PM2.5 concentration values of 31 cities in China from 2017 to 2020 were selected for analysis in this study. Based on mathematical induction and population density zoning, a new method that combines population density zoning is proposed, and the recommended constant K values for different regions are analyzed. The definition of K refers to the ratio of the outdoor design concentration value of PM2.5 to the annual average at different guarantee rates. The air filters for fresh air systems in five typical cities (Harbin, Beijing, Urumqi, Xi’an, Guangzhou) are also used as examples. The K values and selection differences under different recommendation methods are compared and analyzed. Under population migration and urbanization scenarios, the results indicate that the recommended K of the seven major regions method was optimal. Under these conditions, the recommended K values for five typical cities under strict and normal conditions differ from their average K values by 0.07 and 0.04, respectively. This method can accurately select fresh air filtration systems under different population densities; however, population density is related to factors such as policies and the economy and must be updated and revised regularly. On the whole, it provides reference values for the selection of PM2.5 design concentrations in fresh air systems under population distribution differentiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Existing Environment, Equipment, Materials and Technical Means for Buildings)
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15 pages, 1938 KiB  
Article
Indoor Air Quality and Personnel Satisfaction in Different Functional Areas of Semi-Underground Buildings
by Xiaoming Ma and Lina Guo
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 2046; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14072046 - 4 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1254
Abstract
With the increasing application of semi-underground buildings, it is of greater significance to understand indoor air quality and personnel satisfaction in different functional areas within such buildings. In this study, a semi-underground building in Xi’an was taken as an example to test and [...] Read more.
With the increasing application of semi-underground buildings, it is of greater significance to understand indoor air quality and personnel satisfaction in different functional areas within such buildings. In this study, a semi-underground building in Xi’an was taken as an example to test and study the indoor air quality in different functional areas, and a questionnaire survey based on the satisfaction of indoor personnel was conducted at the same time. The comprehensive results showed that the places with the highest concentrations of PM2.5 exceeding the standard limit in the semi-underground building were the milk tea shops, hair salons, and driving schools, presenting 1.01 times, 1.15 times, and 1.08 times the standard limit, respectively. Hair salons were the sites with the highest pollution. The second most frequent pollutants were formaldehyde (HCHO) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). In contrast to the wind speed parameters, the indoor concentrations of pollutants were higher than those outdoors. The upper limits of personnel satisfaction for particulate matter with a diameter less than 1.0 microns (PM1.0), particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), and TVOCs were all higher than the standard limits. The upper limits of personnel satisfaction for PM10, HCHO, wind speed, carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) were all below the standard limits. This provides data support and reference values for the widespread development and application of semi-underground buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Existing Environment, Equipment, Materials and Technical Means for Buildings)
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17 pages, 3548 KiB  
Article
Research on the Effect of Spray Ventilation Cooling Systems on Human Physiological and Psychological Indexes
by Yingxue Cao, Haodong Li, Honggang Yang, Xiaojing Meng, Di Liu, Jinxiao Wang, Xin Zhang and Ao Li
Buildings 2024, 14(3), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030691 - 5 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1283
Abstract
Hot working environment not only affects work efficiency, but also poses a potential threat to the physical and mental health of staff. The current common method for dealing with high temperatures is spray-only or ventilation-only. To investigate the impact of different spray and [...] Read more.
Hot working environment not only affects work efficiency, but also poses a potential threat to the physical and mental health of staff. The current common method for dealing with high temperatures is spray-only or ventilation-only. To investigate the impact of different spray and ventilation modes on indoor high-temperature environments, this study examined their effects on indoor environmental parameters, average skin temperature, and psychological indicators. By establishing an experimental platform for high-temperature thermal environments, a spray ventilation cooling system was implemented, and its cooling efficacy in the indoor thermal environment was analyzed. The environmental classification of the high-temperature working environment under experimental conditions is provided based on the experimental data. A comparison and analysis of environmental parameters and physiological and psychological indicators between moderate and high-temperature environments were conducted. The combination of spray and ventilation modes resulted in a 5.3 °C reduction in air temperature, a 24.1% increase in average relative humidity, and a 3.3 °C reduction in average Wet-bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). The cooling effect was increased by 2.3 °C and the average relative humidity was increased by 10.8% compared to spray-only and ventilation-only modes. In spray and ventilation mode, when the spray volume is increased by 15 mL/min, the air temperature is reduced by 8.2 °C, the average relative humidity is increased by 31.9%, and the average WBGT is reduced by 5.1 °C. This study has guiding significance for finding a reasonable cooling scheme to cope with indoor high-temperature environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Existing Environment, Equipment, Materials and Technical Means for Buildings)
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14 pages, 2714 KiB  
Case Report
Impact of Night Ventilation on Indoor Thermal Environment of Residential Buildings under the Dual Carbon Target: A Case Study of Xi’an
by Hongyan Xiang and Jing Li
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2459; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082459 - 9 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1028
Abstract
Effectively reducing the energy consumed by buildings under the dual carbon targets in China was our focus in this study. We used experimental methods to test and analyze the indoor air and average radiation temperatures in a specific apartment building in Xi’an. We [...] Read more.
Effectively reducing the energy consumed by buildings under the dual carbon targets in China was our focus in this study. We used experimental methods to test and analyze the indoor air and average radiation temperatures in a specific apartment building in Xi’an. We compared the impact of night ventilation on the indoor thermal environment using the EnergyPlus software V9.5.0. The results showed that night ventilation is suitable for the typical summer temperatures in Xi’an when the daily temperature range is larger than 6 °C. Night ventilation technology can be used for 76 days from June to August, accounting for approximately 82.6% of this period. The indoor air and average radiation temperatures both decrease with the adoption of night ventilation, with these temperatures decreasing with an increase in the daily temperature range. When the daily temperature range increases from 3 °C to 15 °C, night ventilation can reduce the indoor average and radiation temperatures by a maximum of 1.07 and 0.47 °C, respectively, on typical meteorological days. When the daily temperature range is 15 °C, the maximum energy savings is 4.85 kWh/d, and the cost saving index for air conditioning operation is 0.065 CNY/(m2·d). With a daily temperature range of 3 °C, the air conditioning operating costs are reduced by 63.7%. Our study provides a reference for building energy conservation and the creation of comfortable indoor thermal environments under the dual carbon target: a carbon peak before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Existing Environment, Equipment, Materials and Technical Means for Buildings)
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