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Advancing Sustainable Building Practices: State of the Art in Thermal Insulation Materials, Energy Efficiency, and Technological Innovations

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Building".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2026) | Viewed by 14296

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mariano Pierantozzi

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Guest Editor

Department of Engineering and Geology, Viale Pindaro, 42, 65100 Pescara, Italy
Interests: indoor comfort; innovative building materials; thermal insulation materials; acoustic insulation materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Camilla Lops

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Geology and Engineering Department, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 42-65127 Pescara, Italy
Interests: dynamic energy simulation; energy retrofit solutions; double skin façade; building energy requirement and comfort
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The pursuit of energy efficiency within the building sector is a pivotal challenge against the backdrop of global sustainability goals. Particularly, the development and implementation of both traditional and cutting-edge thermal insulation materials play a crucial role in the architectural paradigm shift towards energy-efficient buildings. This transformation is further catalyzed by the integration of renewable materials, fostering not only thermal efficiency but also ecological balance. Besides innovative materials, the general increased establishment of advanced technological systems and devices in buildings has pushed the tendency to make the whole construction sector resilient and adaptable to climate change.

This Special Issue aims to spotlight state-of-the-art thermal insulation materials, focusing on their capacity for energy saving and contribution to CO₂ reduction. It will explore the advancements in new insulation materials, their numerical modeling, and the consequential impacts on building energy performance. Additionally, it seeks to address adaptive and mitigative strategies to tackle climate change and enhance the sustainability of buildings by implementing, for example, artificial intelligence.

We invite the submission of original research articles and reviews for this Special Issue. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Advancements in thermal insulation materials;
The numerical modeling and simulation of novel insulation materials and systems;
The impact of insulation materials on building energy performance;
Adaptive and mitigative strategies used for combatting climate change in the building sector;
Innovative HVAC systems and domotic systems;
Renewable energies used for buildings;
LCA and LCC approaches to sustainability;
The integration of artificial intelligence in enhancing building sustainability;
AI in sustainable building design or energy systems;
Machine learning applications in regards to energy efficiency.

Submissions that present interdisciplinary studies, novel methodologies, and case studies of local and global significance are particularly welcome. We anticipate contributions that present rigorous scientific and technical advancements and consider the socio-economic aspects of sustainable building practices.

We look forward to receiving your insightful submissions.

Prof. Dr. Mariano Pierantozzi
Dr. Camilla Lops
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. 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

sustainable building insulation
energy-efficient construction materials
thermal insulation innovations
building energy performance
CO₂ emission reduction in buildings
numerical modeling in material science
climate change resilience in architecture
renewable insulation materials
state-of-the-art insulation technologies
the environmental impact of thermal materials
artificial intelligence used for sustainable buildings
deep learning used for climate change

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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30 pages, 3169 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Mineralogical Effects on Cement-Stabilized Rammed Earth Strength: A Multivariate and Non-Parametric Analysis

by Piotr Narloch, Łukasz Rosicki, Hubert Anysz and Ireneusz Gawriuczenkow

Sustainability 2026, 18(5), 2491; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052491 - 4 Mar 2026

Viewed by 343

Abstract

This study demonstrates that compressive strength in cement-stabilized rammed earth is governed by conditional, threshold-controlled interactions rather than by intrinsic mineralogical effects. A B + K (beidellite + kaolinite) content exceeding 15% defines a low-strength regime (median ≈ 44.6 kN), whereas B + K ≤ 5% allows medians above 90 kN under 7% forming moisture. Quartz-rich fractions show a global correlation of r = 0.71. The Kruskal–Wallis test confirms strong clay grouping influence (H = 72.78, p < 0.001). Analysis of the experimental dataset shows that most strength distributions deviate from normality, invalidating pooled parametric inference and justifying the use of distribution-free methods. At the global level, bulk density and quartz-rich fractions are the dominant positive contributors to strength. Meanwhile, forming moisture and high combined beidellite–kaolinite content (>15%) exerts a negative influence under elevated forming moisture (8%), whereas the effect of 1:1 and 2:1 clay minerals differs depending on their hydro-affinity and moisture regime. However, subgroup analyses reveal frequent reversals in both magnitude and sign of correlations, proving that mineral effects depend critically on cement dosage and moisture regime, revealing discrete strength regimes defined by hierarchical interactions between moisture, cement content, and mineralogical thresholds. The combined beidellite–kaolinite content was classified into ≤5%, 5–15%, and >15% groups. Specimens with B + K > 15% consistently formed a low-strength regime, with a median destructive load of approximately 44.6 kN (≈1.1–1.3 MPa depending on cross-sectional area). In contrast, mixtures with B + K ≤ 5% achieved median loads above 90 kN (≈2.5–3.0 MPa). Quartz-rich fractions showed a strong global positive correlation with strength (r = 0.71), while the grouped clay fraction exhibited a highly significant effect (Kruskal–Wallis H = 72.78, p < 0.001). A regime shift was observed between 7% and 8% forming moisture, where quartz correlation changed from strongly positive (r ≈ 0.70) to negative (r ≈ −0.69). Increasing cement content from 6% to 9% significantly improved strength (H = 12.30, p = 0.0005), although this effect diminished when B + K exceeded 15% or forming moisture reached 8%. Association rules further confirm that high or low strength emerges only from specific multivariate combinations. The results show that mineralogy influences CSRE strength primarily through interaction with technological parameters, providing a robust basis for regime-based interpretation and rational mixture design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Building Practices: State of the Art in Thermal Insulation Materials, Energy Efficiency, and Technological Innovations)

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17 pages, 6083 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reducing Thermal Bridging from Antenna Installations Using an External-Wall Mounting Block to Support Sustainable Development

by Jarosław Gawryluk and Sylwester Tudruj

Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010463 - 2 Jan 2026

Viewed by 469

Abstract

The aim of this study is to improve the energy efficiency of buildings by reducing the impact of point thermal bridges. A detailed analysis was carried out on an antenna holder mounted to the building partition. To limit heat transfer through the partition, a mounting block was applied. This element serves as an insulating function for the partition and as a load-bearing support for external components. In order to assess the effectiveness of the proposed solution, numerical simulations of heat transfer were conducted. Two types of models were analyzed: an idealized model, in which all layers (wall, insulation, and additional structural elements) are perfectly joined, and a more realistic model, which accounts for air gaps between different layers—especially between the insulation and additional structural elements—resulting from typical wear and usage. It was found that models with air gaps demonstrated the advantages of the proposed solution. In this case, the use of the mounting block retained twice as much heat inside the room compared to the configuration without the block. Thus, the applied mounting block effectively reduced the impact of point thermal bridges at the antenna holder by approximately 50%. This translates directly into reduced energy consumption during building operation, which aligns with the concept of sustainable environmental development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Building Practices: State of the Art in Thermal Insulation Materials, Energy Efficiency, and Technological Innovations)

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25 pages, 4106 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Towards Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings: A Dynamic Simulation Framework for Analysing and Reducing Climate Change Impacts

by Camilla Lops, Valentina D’Agostino, Samantha Di Loreto and Sergio Montelpare

Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6485; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146485 - 16 Jul 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2209

Abstract

This research presents a multi-scale framework designed for assessing the energy performance and climate vulnerability of three existing residential buildings in a small Central Italian municipality. By integrating dynamic energy simulations with high-resolution climate projections, the study investigated how the selected building typologies responded to changing environmental conditions. Validation against Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) confirmed the framework’s robustness in accurately capturing energy consumption patterns and assessing retrofit potential. The results revealed a general reduction in heating demand accompanied by an increase in cooling requirements under future climate scenarios, with notable differences across building types. The reinforced concrete building showed greater sensitivity to rising temperatures, particularly in cooling demand, likely due to its lower thermal inertia. In contrast, masonry buildings achieved more substantial energy savings following retrofit interventions, reflecting their initially poorer thermal performance and outdated systems. Retrofit measures yielded significant energy reductions, especially in older masonry structures, with savings reaching up to 44%, underscoring the necessity of customised retrofit strategies. The validated methodology supports future wider applicability in regional energy planning and aligns with integrated initiatives aimed at balancing climate adaptation and cultural heritage preservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Building Practices: State of the Art in Thermal Insulation Materials, Energy Efficiency, and Technological Innovations)

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42 pages, 2870 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Exploring Advancements in Bio-Based Composites for Thermal Insulation: A Systematic Review

by Daria Pawłosik, Krzysztof Cebrat and Marcin Brzezicki

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031143 - 30 Jan 2025

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 10320

Abstract

The growing need to mitigate the environmental impact of human activities has underscored the importance of biomaterials in sustainable architecture and construction. In this systematic review, advancements in bio-composite materials are consolidated and critically evaluated, emphasizing their thermal insulation properties and broader applications in sustainable building practices. Key aspects analyzed included morphology, internal structure, and thermal performance, along with supplementary insights into mechanical properties when available. The review focused on studies published between January and October 2024, sourced from the Scopus database and adhering to PRISMA guidelines. A keyword meta-analysis using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) illustrated keyword co-occurrence trends. Methods for assessing bias included evaluating study design, data collection processes, and potential conflicts of interest, aligned with PRISMA standards. Significant findings revealed bio-composites achieving thermal conductivity values as low as 0.016 W/m·K, surpassing many traditional materials in insulation performance. Data from 48 studies, analysing 50 bio-composite materials, showed that 44% were optimized for thermal insulation and 40% for sub-structural applications. These materials also exhibit biodegradability and recyclability, critical attributes for sustainable construction. However, challenges such as scalability and durability remain as the key barriers to widespread adoption. In this review, the viability of bio-composites as sustainable alternatives to traditional materials is highlighted and research priorities are identified, particularly in scaling production technologies and enhancing durability testing methods, to advance their application in sustainable building practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Building Practices: State of the Art in Thermal Insulation Materials, Energy Efficiency, and Technological Innovations)

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