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Future Trends in Sustainable Buildings: Materials, Technologies, and Computational Approaches
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Future Trends in Sustainable Buildings: Materials, Technologies, and Computational Approaches

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 3766

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Antonella Sarcinella

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: sustainable materials; building materials; phase change materials (PCMs); bio-based materials; coatings; thermal analysis; polymers
Dr. Sandra Cunha

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction (CTAC), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: building materials; sustainable construction; durability; circular economy; phase change materials; industrial waste management; thermal comfort; building energy efficiency
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The building and construction sector plays a significant role in contributing to global challenges such as climate change, air pollution, and resource depletion. As one of the largest consumers of raw materials and energy, the industry is under increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices. Reducing the environmental impact of buildings, improving energy efficiency, and minimizing waste are now critical goals for ensuring a sustainable future.

In response to these pressing issues, the development and application of sustainable materials and innovative technologies are essential for transforming the way we design, construct, and manage buildings. Advances in digital technologies, such as computational modeling and data analysis, are also opening new opportunities for optimizing processes, reducing waste, and enhancing the performance of both modern and historic structures.

This Special Issue focuses on the use of sustainable materials and advanced computational technologies applied to buildings. Specifically, it explores new approaches to reduce the environmental impact of construction, improve energy efficiency, and promote sustainability in the building sector through innovative materials and digital modeling techniques.

The aim is to promote a holistic and interdisciplinary approach that bridges the world of sustainable materials, efficient technologies, and computational technologies, offering new perspectives that can accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices in the construction sector.

This Special Issue encourages interdisciplinary contributions from fields such as materials science, civil, and environmental engineering, architecture, and computer science, while also welcoming research from other related disciplines, focusing on but not limited to the following topics:

  • The development and application of sustainable materials for building construction and maintenance, including recycled concrete aggregates, phase change materials, geopolymers, and bio-based or natural materials, to enhance environmental performance and resource efficiency.
  • Exploration of innovative and sustainable construction technologies, such as 3D printing, modular construction, and robotics, for reducing material waste, enhancing efficiency, and promoting environmental sustainability in building practices.
  • Advanced computational techniques, such as energy simulation, numerical modeling, and data analysis, for building design and management.

Dr. Antonella Sarcinella
Dr. Sandra Cunha
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

  • sustainable building materials
  • sustainable building technology
  • life cycle assessment (LCA)
  • digital construction technologies
  • building information modeling (BIM)
  • energy simulation in buildings
  • computational building design
  • waste management in construction

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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29 pages, 4726 KiB  
Article
Adaptive Pendulum-Tuned Mass Damper Based on Adjustable-Length Cable for Skyscraper Vibration Control
by Krzysztof Twardoch, Kacper Górski, Rafał Kwiatkowski, Kamil Jaśkielewicz and Bogumił Chiliński
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6301; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146301 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 355
Abstract
The dynamic control of vibrations in skyscrapers is a critical consideration in sustainable building design, particularly in response to environmental excitations such as wind impact or seismic activity. Effective vibration neutralisation plays a crucial role in providing the safety of high-rise buildings. This [...] Read more.
The dynamic control of vibrations in skyscrapers is a critical consideration in sustainable building design, particularly in response to environmental excitations such as wind impact or seismic activity. Effective vibration neutralisation plays a crucial role in providing the safety of high-rise buildings. This research introduces an innovative concept for an active vibration damper that operates based on fluid dynamic transport to adaptively alter a skyscraper’s natural frequency, thereby counteracting resonant vibrations. A distinctive feature of this system is an adjustable-length cable mechanism, allowing for the dynamic modification of the pendulum’s effective length in real time. The structure, based on cable length adjustment, enables the PTMD to precisely tune its natural frequency to variable excitation conditions, thereby improving damping during transient or resonance phenomena of the building’s dynamic behaviour. A comprehensive mathematical model based on Lagrangian mechanics outlines the governing equations for this system, capturing the interactions between pendulum motion, fluid flow, and the damping forces necessary to maintain stability. Simulation analyses examine the role of initial excitation frequency and variable damping coefficients, revealing critical insights into optimal damper performance under varied structural conditions. The findings indicate that the proposed pendulum damper effectively mitigates resonance risks, paving the way for sustainable skyscraper design through enhanced structural adaptability and resilience. This adaptive PTMD, featuring an adjustable-length cable, provides a solution for creating safe and energy-efficient skyscraper designs, aligning with sustainable architectural practices and advancing future trends in vibration management technology. The study presented in this article supports the development of modern skyscraper design, with a focus on dynamic vibration control for sustainability and structural safety. It combines advanced numerical modelling, data-driven control algorithms, and experimental validation. From a sustainability perspective, the proposed PTMD system reduces the need for oversized structural components by providing adaptive, efficient damping, thereby lowering material consumption and embedded carbon. Through dynamically retuning structural stiffness and mass, the proposed PTMD enhances resilience and energy efficiency in skyscrapers, lowers lifetime energy use associated with passive damping devices, and enhances occupant comfort. This aligns with global sustainability objectives and new-generation building standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Trends in Sustainable Buildings: Materials, Technologies, and Computational Approaches)
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21 pages, 7361 KiB  
Article
How Can Urban Forms Balance Solar and Noise Exposition for a Sustainable Design?
by Marta Oliveira, Hélder Coutinho, Paulo Mendonça, Martin Tenpierik, José F. Silva and Lígia Torres Silva
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 5125; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115125 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 419
Abstract
Sustainable development requires efficient planning and management of both natural and built resources. The identification of urban forms that best balance exposure to solar radiation and urban noise, ensuring compliance with residential construction regulations and European directives may be carried out through simulations. [...] Read more.
Sustainable development requires efficient planning and management of both natural and built resources. The identification of urban forms that best balance exposure to solar radiation and urban noise, ensuring compliance with residential construction regulations and European directives may be carried out through simulations. The proposed methodology involves simulating various scenarios and adjusting parameters of selected urban forms to evaluate the availability of solar radiation and the noise exposure on building façades within a specific context. In addressing the requirements for solar and noise optimization, predictive models (solar and noise) were employed, utilizing urban form indicators to relate these three variables. The case study demonstrates the inverse behavior of these variables in relation to the same urban forms. The findings highlight the optimal urban forms for each scenario. The enclosed form was identified as the most suitable for minimizing noise exposure, while the linear form is optimal for maximizing solar radiation exposure. This approach allows the designer to make informed decisions that balance these competing requirements, achieving a compromise between optimizing thermal and acoustic performance. The ultimate goal is to enhance the overall comfort of the building, reduce energy consumption, and promote a sustainable building solution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Trends in Sustainable Buildings: Materials, Technologies, and Computational Approaches)
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22 pages, 24512 KiB  
Article
High-Volume Glass Powder Concrete as an Alternative to High-Volume Fly Ash Concrete
by Othon Moreira, Aires Camões, Raphaele Malheiro and Manuel Ribeiro
Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4142; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094142 - 3 May 2025
Viewed by 566
Abstract
The high consumption of concrete makes it a priority target for environmental goals. When supplementary cementing materials were introduced, important progress was made toward achieving these goals, with fly ash (FA) making a major contribution in this regard. Given the current situation, it [...] Read more.
The high consumption of concrete makes it a priority target for environmental goals. When supplementary cementing materials were introduced, important progress was made toward achieving these goals, with fly ash (FA) making a major contribution in this regard. Given the current situation, it has become necessary to identify an alternative to this material as a result of the shutdown of coal-fired power plants across the European Union. In this sense, glass powder (GP) has shown promising results. This research focused on reducing the dosage of Portland cement (PC) as extensively as possible in concrete formulations, through high incorporations (until 70%) with different dosages of binder to evaluate various applications without compromising its strength and durability. The results obtained are encouraging. With only 150 kg/m3 of PC, 46.42 MPa was obtained, and with 250 kg/m3 of PC, 71.50 MPa was obtained, both at 90 days. Durability was not significantly compromised in the tests carried out and even obtained better results in some tests. The findings suggest that a substantial replacement of PC with GP could serve as a feasible option for lowering the PC content or even substituting FA, promoting a reduction in CO2 emissions and energy consumption, and making concrete more sustainable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Trends in Sustainable Buildings: Materials, Technologies, and Computational Approaches)
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38 pages, 4395 KiB  
Article
Building Conversion: Enhancing Sustainability Through Multifunctionality and Movable Interior Systems
by Sonia Vuscan and Radu Muntean
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3182; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073182 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1279
Abstract
As urban expansion faces increasing constraints, adaptive reuse has become a critical strategy for sustainable development. This study examines how multifunctionality and adaptability, facilitated by movable interior systems, can enhance the efficiency and longevity of building conversions while reducing material consumption and construction [...] Read more.
As urban expansion faces increasing constraints, adaptive reuse has become a critical strategy for sustainable development. This study examines how multifunctionality and adaptability, facilitated by movable interior systems, can enhance the efficiency and longevity of building conversions while reducing material consumption and construction waste. Through a dual-questionnaire methodology, responses were gathered from over 200 end-users and 100 industry professionals across multiple countries to assess perceptions of adaptability in building reuse. The findings indicate that 89% of end-users prioritize spatial flexibility, while professionals cite financial constraints (67%) and regulatory barriers (54%) as key obstacles to implementation. This study highlights the potential of ADD-rest and similar reconfigurable interior systems to optimize underutilized spaces, aligning sustainability, urban resilience, and design innovation. By bridging theoretical concepts with empirical data, this research offers practical insights for architects, urban planners, and policymakers, reinforcing the role of adaptable interior solutions in the future of sustainable urban transformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Trends in Sustainable Buildings: Materials, Technologies, and Computational Approaches)
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Review

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50 pages, 8925 KiB  
Review
The Effect of Activation Methods on the Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortars with Recycled Powder from Concrete Waste as a Cement Partial Replacement: A Review
by Kubilay Kaptan, Sandra Cunha and José Aguiar
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4502; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104502 - 15 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 620
Abstract
The use of recycled powder (RP) derived from construction and demolition waste (CDW) has several benefits, including the conservation of natural aggregate supplies, the preservation of land designated as landfills, and the promotion of a sustainable built environment. Partially substituting cement with RP [...] Read more.
The use of recycled powder (RP) derived from construction and demolition waste (CDW) has several benefits, including the conservation of natural aggregate supplies, the preservation of land designated as landfills, and the promotion of a sustainable built environment. Partially substituting cement with RP generated from concrete-based waste can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry. This comprehensive review delineates the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical, thermal, chemical, carbonation, mineral addition, and nano-activation methods for RP-based Portland cement (PC) mortars. A comprehensive examination of the parameters affecting the characteristics of RP-incorporated mortar has been presented. The mechanical properties of cement mortar formulated with RP have been examined in relation to different activation procedures. The review indicates that RP can be effectively utilized in the development of sustainable construction materials. This review article’s extensive literature survey also indicates a promising research trend and underscores the significance of thermal and combined activation methods and the utilization of concrete waste. Moreover, existing limitations in the current research and prospective future studies were identified and presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Trends in Sustainable Buildings: Materials, Technologies, and Computational Approaches)
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