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Sustainability in Architecture and Engineering
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Sustainability in Architecture and Engineering

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 7021

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Manfredi Saeli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture (D'ARCH), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze bld 8-14, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: construction and building materials; waste-based bio and composite materials; sustainable construction; high-performance buildings; innovation in building construction; architectural technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tiziana Campisi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture (D\'ARCH), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze bld 8-14, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: traditional and historical architecture; construction and building materials and technology; building design; masonry and wooden structures; rehabilitation and preservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Montserrat Bosch

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Building Construction (EPSEB), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Interests: sustainability and environmental impact in buildings; materials with low environmental impact and energy efficiency in public buildings

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Because of the large number of activities involved in construction and the consequent economical drawbacks of those activities, construction suffers from diffuse unsustainability that is causing great global concern. There are many factors affecting this unsustaibility: the unavoidable need for new structures and infrastructure, especially in developing countries; the aging of the existing housing stock, which requires rehabilitation/retrofitting; energy inefficiency; lack of resources, etc. On the other hand, the world is trying to move towards safety, inclusion, resiliency, and sustainability (United Nations 2030 Agenda), boosting the circular economy and the introduction of green technologies (i.e., EU “Renovation Wave” and “Green Deal”). Hence, cosnstruction, one of the most preeminent industryies, must begin facilitating such processes and supporting green and digital recovery as soon as possible, and make a transition to clean energy.

With this in mind, this Special Issue aims to collect proposals, studies, research, and concrete actions that can be broadly implemented in the built environment for more sustainable construction. Topical areas of consideration include but are not limited to sustainable architectural and engineering design, innovative technological design, low-energy buildings and energy efficiency, indoor comfort, green buildings, multifunctional and green composite materials, nano-materials, LCA, etc.

The scientific and technologic community is called to contribute to this Special Issue, and contributions from private bodies and professionals (engineer, architect, contractors, etc.) who are willing to cooperate this debate are welcome.

This call for papers is also in support of the European Project “Smart Rehabilitation 3.0 Innovating Professional Skills for Existing Building Sector” Erasmus+ Program, Key Action 2: Strategic Partnership for Higher Education (smart-rehabilitation.eu; Instagram profile: @smart_rehabilitation).

Dr. Manfredi Saeli
Dr. Tiziana Campisi
Prof. Dr. Montserrat Bosch
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

  • green architecture
  • sustainable materials and building processes
  • energy-efficient buildings
  • social-housing, smart technology

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3236 KiB  
Article
Inclusiveness of Public Space: Experimental Approaches for the Revitalisation of Smaller Historic Urban Centres
by Antonella Mamì
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3320; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083320 - 16 Apr 2024
Viewed by 286
Abstract
In recent decades, many small Italian historic centers—particularly those situated inland—have witnessed a population decline due to inadequate access to public services and facilities. However, this depopulation has also allowed many centers to retain their distinctive features, now conferring upon them great cultural–historical [...] Read more.
In recent decades, many small Italian historic centers—particularly those situated inland—have witnessed a population decline due to inadequate access to public services and facilities. However, this depopulation has also allowed many centers to retain their distinctive features, now conferring upon them great cultural–historical and landscape value. New quality-of-life-centered economic models present the development of accessible public services as a necessity. Such a process could catalyze the recovery and growth of these centers, which continue to be deserted, regardless of their value. This paper considers combined solutions, including sustainable mobility, digital accessibility, networked services, and technological devices by applying them to trans-scalar studies with the goal of achieving sustainable outcomes. Some of the proposed solutions are the resolution of irregular ground levels, the use of electric vehicles, the creation of sharing models, the physical overhaul of routes, and the retrofitting of minor buildings for inclusive use in a comprehensive human-centered approach toward regeneration. This study is in line with the European guidelines for sustainable and intelligent mobility, whose goal is for at least one hundred European cities to become accessible to all and shifted to zero-emission mobility. Here, sustainable and smart mobility is understood not only as an improvement of environmental and social conditions, but also as a catalyst for environmental and social improvements and as an opportunity to enhance the livability of smaller, geographically isolated historic centers, moving toward a new economy of urban reclamation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Architecture and Engineering)
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27 pages, 17684 KiB  
Article
Effects of Water—Binder Ratio on Strength and Seismic Behavior of Stabilized Soil from Kongshavn, Port of Oslo
by Per Lindh and Polina Lemenkova
Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 12016; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151512016 - 04 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1084
Abstract
In many civil engineering problems, soil is stabilized by a combination of binders and water. The success of stabilization is evaluated using seismic tests with measured P-wave velocities. Optimization of process, laboratory testing and data modelling are essential to reduce the costs of [...] Read more.
In many civil engineering problems, soil is stabilized by a combination of binders and water. The success of stabilization is evaluated using seismic tests with measured P-wave velocities. Optimization of process, laboratory testing and data modelling are essential to reduce the costs of the industrial projects. This paper reports the optimized workflow of soil stabilization through evaluated effects from the two factors controlling the development of strength: (1) the ratio between water and binder; (2) the proportions of different binders (cement/slag) were changed experimentally in a mixture of samples to evaluate the strength of soil. The experimental results show an optimal combination of 30% cement and 70% slag with a binder content of 120 kg/m3 and a maximum water binder ratio (w/b) of 5. Such proportions of mixture demonstrated effective soil stabilization both on a pilot test scale and on full scale for industrial works. The correlation between the compressive strength and relative deformation of specimens revealed that strength has the highest values for w/b = 5 and the lowest for w/b = 7. In case of high water content in soil and wet samples, the condition of a w/b ≤ 5 will require a higher amount of binder. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Architecture and Engineering)
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17 pages, 3045 KiB  
Article
The Multi-Faceted Practice of Architectural Sustainability Found in the Regional Architecture of Vorarlberg, Austria
by Ja Young Eunice Kim
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2430; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032430 - 29 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1558
Abstract
The biggest and increasingly more urgent challenge of the twenty-first century has become how a more sustainable level of development can be achieved. In order to bring about a better sustainable approach to ‘development’ it is necessary to address various different challenges of [...] Read more.
The biggest and increasingly more urgent challenge of the twenty-first century has become how a more sustainable level of development can be achieved. In order to bring about a better sustainable approach to ‘development’ it is necessary to address various different challenges of economy and society simultaneously. By examining the various aspects of sustainability found in the contemporary regional architecture of Vorarlberg, Austria, this paper attempts to highlight a more holistic and multi-faceted practice of architectural sustainability. The literature review on the definition of sustainable architecture and the architectural culture of Vorarlberg will be followed by the characteristic examination of four case studies. The common characteristics found from the evaluation were matched with some of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Goals to illustrate the multi-layered and connected nature of the sustainability qualities. The results of the research is indicative of a more holistic notion of architectural sustainability that is beyond energy-oriented and the functional efficiency of a building. Rather, it would mean the sustainability of a region, as a whole, when it encompasses the continuation of heritage, the way of living as well as how a building should be responding to the environment throughout its life-cycle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Architecture and Engineering)
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17 pages, 3013 KiB  
Article
Simulation of the Energy Performance of a Building with Green Roofs and Green Walls in a Tropical Climate
by Saranathan Pragati, Radhakrishnan Shanthi Priya, Chandramouli Pradeepa and Ramalingam Senthil
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2006; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032006 - 20 Jan 2023
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3354
Abstract
Global temperatures have continued to rise for decades, partly due to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and subsequent urban heat island (UHI) effects. This current research examines the benefits of urban greenery by studying the impact of green roofs and walls of a building [...] Read more.
Global temperatures have continued to rise for decades, partly due to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and subsequent urban heat island (UHI) effects. This current research examines the benefits of urban greenery by studying the impact of green roofs and walls of a building on thermal behavior and heat transfer in a warm and humid climate. This simulation study discusses the importance of greening systems in improving thermal comfort and minimizing the causes of UHI by assessing an integrated green building design. Using the simulation software DesignBuilder, the significance of greening systems, green roofs, and walls in enhancing thermal comfort and reducing the factors that contribute to UHI is investigated. The simulation results are based on the building’s energy usage in hot and humid regions while featuring green roofs and walls. The simulation results indicate a considerable positive impact of greening systems in improving the urban environment in hot and humid tropical climates. Air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, and solar gain are decreased by urban greening. The total energy consumption and district cooling demand of buildings with green roofs and walls are reduced by 10.5% and 13%, respectively. The greening systems substantially improve air quality and building’s energy efficiency. Thus, the present study‘s findings can benefit urban designers and dwellers in devising strategies for establishing green spaces in congested urban environments by integrating green technologies and systems into built environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Architecture and Engineering)
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