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Sustainability
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Novel Technologies and Digital Design in Smart Construction
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Novel Technologies and Digital Design in Smart Construction

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 9597

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Long Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Interests: common data environments from BIM to digital twin; digital twin for construction sites and O&M management; construction schedule monitoring and prediction (for complex projects); digital sustainability and resilience
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhihe Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Information Management, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
Interests: multi-source information fusion; digital twin; digital decarbonization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Emerging technologies, methods and materials have been transforming the way construction projects can be designed, constructed, and operated. Developments in building information modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI), generative design, large language model (LLM), digital twins, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, 3D printing, new materials etc. are pushing the boundaries of construction industry, which is traditionally reluctant to innovation and slow in adopting new technologies, towards a new era, more intelligent, resilient, sustainable, safe, comfortable and affordable.

Massive changes are occurring nowadays in the construction industry, along with new challenges and opportunities to reshape the better future. It is time now to explore the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in developing and utilising cutting-edge technologies and digital design techniques in the construction sector. This Special Issue aims to offer a platform for latest research and best practices in novel technologies and digital design in smart construction. It welcomes submissions from the following topics but not limited to:

  • Advanced technologies in construction design and management, e.g., BIM, digital twins, virtual reality (VR), 3D printing, robotics, remote sensing etc.
  • AI techniques and algorithms for smart construction and construction management
  • Data-driven approaches for smart construction and construction management
  • Innovative design methods and techniques for construction projects
  • New materials for construction projects
  • Innovative sustainable development of built environment
  • Energy-efficient building design and operation
  • Lifecycle assessment and carbon footprint analysis
  • Resilient building, infrastructure, or city
  • Climate change and impacts on built environment
  • Evaluation and management of technology innovations
  • Socio-technical system of technology innovations

We encourage researchers, practitioners, and industry experts to contribute original research articles, reviews, and case studies that advance our understanding of smart construction and digital design. We aim to inspire academic discussion and best practices in novel technologies and digital design through publishing this Special Issue, shaping the new future of construction.

Dr. Long Chen
Dr. Zhihe Yang
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. Sustainability 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

  • technology innovation
  • digital technologies
  • AI techniques
  • data-driven approaches
  • novel materials
  • sustainable development
  • climate change socio-technical system

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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

24 pages, 743 KiB  
Article
Pathways of the Digital Economy’s Impact on Green Total Factor Productivity in the Construction Industry
by Zhijiang Li and Decai Tang
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11283; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411283 - 23 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 939
Abstract
The rapid development of the digital economy (DE) has provided innovative solutions for the transformation and upgrade of the construction industry. Leveraging technologies such as intelligent management, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence effectively enhances the construction industry’s green total factor productivity [...] Read more.
The rapid development of the digital economy (DE) has provided innovative solutions for the transformation and upgrade of the construction industry. Leveraging technologies such as intelligent management, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence effectively enhances the construction industry’s green total factor productivity (GTFP). Based on data from 30 Chinese provinces spanning 2012 to 2022, this paper systematically investigates the mechanisms through which the DE influences the GTFP of the construction industry from multiple dimensions, including direct effects, indirect effects, and threshold effects. The findings reveal that the DE significantly promotes the improvement of GTFP in the construction industry. The DE indirectly enhances GTFP through technological innovation and environmental regulation, with the mediating effect of technological innovation being more pronounced. Urbanization exhibits a significant single-threshold effect in moderating the relationship between the DE and GTFP, with the impact of the DE on GTFP following a “U-shaped” trajectory. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Technologies and Digital Design in Smart Construction)
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30 pages, 2789 KiB  
Article
Construction 5.0 and Sustainable Neuro-Responsive Habitats: Integrating the Brain–Computer Interface and Building Information Modeling in Smart Residential Spaces
by Amjad Almusaed, Ibrahim Yitmen, Asaad Almssad and Jonn Are Myhren
Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9393; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219393 - 29 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2432
Abstract
This study takes a unique approach by investigating the integration of Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) within residential architecture. It explores their combined potential to foster neuro-responsive, sustainable environments within the framework of Construction 5.0. The methodological approach involves real-time [...] Read more.
This study takes a unique approach by investigating the integration of Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) within residential architecture. It explores their combined potential to foster neuro-responsive, sustainable environments within the framework of Construction 5.0. The methodological approach involves real-time BCI data and subjective evaluations of occupants’ experiences to elucidate cognitive and emotional states. These data inform BIM-driven alterations that facilitate adaptable, customized, and sustainability-oriented architectural solutions. The results highlight the ability of BCI–BIM integration to create dynamic, occupant-responsive environments that enhance well-being, promote energy efficiency, and minimize environmental impact. The primary contribution of this work is the demonstration of the viability of neuro-responsive architecture, wherein cognitive input from Brain–Computer Interfaces enables real-time modifications to architectural designs. This technique enhances built environments’ flexibility and user-centered quality by integrating occupant preferences and mental states into the design process. Furthermore, integrating BCI and BIM technologies has significant implications for advancing sustainability and facilitating the design of energy-efficient and ecologically responsible residential areas. The study offers practical insights for architects, engineers, and construction professionals, providing a method for implementing BCI–BIM systems to enhance user experience and promote sustainable design practices. The research examines ethical issues concerning privacy, data security, and informed permission, ensuring these technologies adhere to moral and legal requirements. The study underscores the transformational potential of BCI–BIM integration while acknowledging challenges related to data interoperability, integrity, and scalability. As a result, ongoing innovation and rigorous ethical supervision are crucial for effectively implementing these technologies. The findings provide practical insights for architects, engineers, and industry professionals, offering a roadmap for developing intelligent and ethically sound design practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Technologies and Digital Design in Smart Construction)
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21 pages, 4887 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Architects’ Reasoning on Early Design Decision-Making for Energy-Efficient Buildings
by Sid Ahmed Ouldja, Peter Demian and Mahroo Eftekhari
Sustainability 2024, 16(18), 8220; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188220 - 21 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1616
Abstract
Architects arguably have the greatest influence on the design of buildings. One of the key factors that make it hard to improve the energy efficiency of buildings is the use of architects’ reasoning by architects at the early design stage. There is a [...] Read more.
Architects arguably have the greatest influence on the design of buildings. One of the key factors that make it hard to improve the energy efficiency of buildings is the use of architects’ reasoning by architects at the early design stage. There is a need to assess the impact of architects’ reasoning on the energy performance of the designed building. To this end, this research was conducted in two phases. Firstly, the most influential design parameters, in terms of energy efficiency, were identified and used to develop a design exercise issued to a sample of practising architects in the north of Algeria. Design exercise participants were required to minimise expected energy consumption along with the construction cost. Secondly, computer-generated dynamic design optimisation for the same design task was conducted in DesignBuilder v6. 1 .8. The computer-generated designs decisively outperformed the human-generated designs. The experienced architects achieved the least-performing designs rather than those with less experience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Technologies and Digital Design in Smart Construction)
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23 pages, 2318 KiB  
Article
Green Finance and Industrial Low-Carbon Transition: A Case Study on Green Economy Policy in Kazakhstan
by Garafutdinova Daniya and Decai Tang
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7731; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177731 - 5 Sep 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2011
Abstract
The transition to a low-carbon (LC) economy is a major challenge for governments around the world. This article aims to investigate the most effective market and governmental initiatives to facilitate the industrial sector’s shift to a less carbon-intensive economy. According to our analysis, [...] Read more.
The transition to a low-carbon (LC) economy is a major challenge for governments around the world. This article aims to investigate the most effective market and governmental initiatives to facilitate the industrial sector’s shift to a less carbon-intensive economy. According to our analysis, the Green Economy Policy (GEP) has the potential to reduce industry carbon emissions (CEs) in some areas by promoting energy transition, rather than focusing on developing short-term reduction methods. We found that the GEP decreased pilot sites’ industrial carbon intensity (CI) by an average of 7.88%, and this reduction persisted after many robustness checks. The favorable impact of the GEP differs based on population size (large and small populations) and geographic location (eastern, central, western, northern, and southern regions). Also, it is critical to emphasize how crucial green financing (GF) is to ease the energy transition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Technologies and Digital Design in Smart Construction)
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23 pages, 2141 KiB  
Article
Energy Potential of Existing Reversible Air-to-Air Heat Pumps for Residential Heating
by Giovanni Murano, Francesca Caffari and Nicolandrea Calabrese
Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 6047; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146047 - 15 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1537
Abstract
Heat pumps can be considered one of the key technologies to meet the building stock decarbonization target set by Europe. Especially in warm locations, many households have already incurred costs for the installation of air-to-air heat pumps, but, in most cases, they only [...] Read more.
Heat pumps can be considered one of the key technologies to meet the building stock decarbonization target set by Europe. Especially in warm locations, many households have already incurred costs for the installation of air-to-air heat pumps, but, in most cases, they only use them in summer for cooling, while heating is provided by fuel-fired boilers. For these households, the goal of reducing primary energy consumption could be achieved almost cost-free by using heat pumps, that were installed for summer cooling, also for winter heating. Based on this assumption, this research aimed to evaluate the energy savings and environmental benefits that can be achieved by using air-to-air heat pumps instead of gas boilers as the main heating system, without additional costs except for the installation of electric radiators in bathrooms. To quantify variations in energy, environmental, and economic savings compared to the baseline condition, detailed simulations were conducted with the dynamic hourly calculation method (EN ISO 52016) in six different European locations, considering heat pumps with different efficiencies and two different building types. The analysis showed positive impacts at all sites due to the use of heat pumps, which can lead to primary energy savings ranging from about 20% to about 60%. The results varied according to outdoor climate, coefficient of performance of heat pumps, building type, and, on the economic side, the cost of energy. This research provides useful results for outlining decarbonization scenarios, assuming that heat pumps are one of the technologies needed to meet the EU’s climate neutrality goal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Technologies and Digital Design in Smart Construction)
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