Special Issue "Sustainability Assessment of Architecture, Construction, Refurbishment and Restoration"

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Oriol Pons-Valladares
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architectural Technology, The Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Interests: architecture; sustainability; MCDM; high-tech; low-tech; education; construction; waste construction; post-disaster
Prof. Dr. Jelena Nikolic
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics, The Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Interests: massive housing architecture retrofitting; integrated sustainability approach; perfabrications; green architecture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, our planet has faced important challenges at economic, environmental, governance and social levels. It is time that, from architecture and the building sector, we minimize our negative impacts and maximize our contribution to sustainability. Our construction sector and resulting buildings and settlements are responsible for approximately a third of the total energy consumption, CO2 emissions and waste generation, among other impacts. At the same time, architecture has alternatives to reduce humans’ negative impact on our planet such as design with Building Information Modeling (BIM), intelligent façade layers, passive energy buildings, nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs), recycled construction materials, renewable energies, the use of local materials, vertical farming and waste-based architecture among others.

Nevertheless, in order to effectively optimize our buildings and cities we must quantify and qualify their sustainability. This assessment is also required in order to choose the best alternative for each case. In this regard, to evaluate the environmental impact there are numerous models, rating and software tools. Similarly, there are methodologies to assess economic and social impacts, as well as models capable of integrally evaluating more than one sustainability branch. Some of these tools are exclusively designed to assess a part of architecture, such as isolated new buildings or specific construction components. Nevertheless, other tools are generic and applicable to specific architecture, rehabilitation and restauration issues—either directly or after properly specializing them. Some carry out quantifying assessments, while others perform qualifying evaluations.

This Special Issue aims to carry out an updated review of the available methodologies and tools to evaluate alternatives, which could move us toward a more sustainable architecture. At the same time, it endeavors to compile different outstanding cases in which the sustainability of architectural cases and their construction, rehabilitation and restoration are presented.

Prof. Dr. Oriol Pons-Valladares
Prof. Dr. Jelena Nikolic
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 papers will be 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 1900 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

  • Sustainability assessment
  • Delphi
  • Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)
  • Rating tools
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  • Life Cycle Energy Analysis (LCEA)
  • Life Cycle Cost (LCC)
  • Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA)
  • BIM design
  • Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs)
  • Passive energy buildings
  • Renewable energies
  • Urban agriculture
  • Waste-based architecture

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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Article
SIRen: An Applied Framework for a Sustainable Renovation Process
Sustainability 2021, 13(10), 5412; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105412 - 12 May 2021
Viewed by 353
Abstract
The renovation of buildings involves multidisciplinary issues and multistakeholder involvement, which makes the process complex to manage. The purpose of this paper is to present a transparent, openly accessible, adaptable framework to ensure a sustainable renovation process, covering the technical, environmental, economic, social, [...] Read more.
The renovation of buildings involves multidisciplinary issues and multistakeholder involvement, which makes the process complex to manage. The purpose of this paper is to present a transparent, openly accessible, adaptable framework to ensure a sustainable renovation process, covering the technical, environmental, economic, social, and cultural historical aspects to be considered by the various actors during the renovation process. A framework with an associated process was drawn up, focusing on practical usefulness together with the fundamental idea that sustainability cannot be a sub requirement but must be the overall requirement present in all stages of the process. The framework contains an overview, description of activities, links to external tools and documents, and finally a checklist to be completed after each stage. Depending on which stakeholder uses the framework, there are different examples and suggestions for activities and tools. Contrary to many other assessment schemes, the SIRen process focuses on the renovation process itself, and the self-evaluation gives a numerical value that represents to what extent the actors have considered and implemented different aspects of sustainability in the stages of the renovation process. The SIRen process was partially implemented in four renovation projects during the iterative development of the SIRen framework. Full article
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Article
Evaluation of Reinforced Adobe Techniques for Sustainable Reconstruction in Andean Seismic Zones
Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4955; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094955 - 28 Apr 2021
Viewed by 523
Abstract
This research presents a methodological process for selecting the most appropriate construction technique for the reconstruction of housing after a seismic disaster in a rural and heritage context. This process, which is applicable to a large part of the Andean region, incorporates sustainability [...] Read more.
This research presents a methodological process for selecting the most appropriate construction technique for the reconstruction of housing after a seismic disaster in a rural and heritage context. This process, which is applicable to a large part of the Andean region, incorporates sustainability criteria to guarantee the economic, social and environmental balance of the intervention. The methodology was developed on a case study: the Colca Valley in Arequipa, Peru. In 2016 an earthquake affected this zone, where traditional unreinforced earthen buildings suffered serious damage. The objective of this research focuses on comparing six traditional building techniques strongly related to self-building: four techniques for adobe housing—reinforced with cane (CRA), wire mesh (WMRA), geogrid (GRA) and halyard ropes (HRRA)—and two techniques for masonry buildings— confined (CM) and reinforced (RM). For this purpose the authors used the Integrated Value Model for Sustainable Assessment (MIVES), a Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) model used to compare alternatives by assigning a “sustainability index” to each evaluated construction technique. This research study includes two types of variables: quantitative, such as economy ($/m2) and environmental impact (kgCO2/m2), among others, and qualitative, such as perception of safety, respect for the urban image and popular knowledge. The research results show that reinforced adobe techniques are a viable and competitive option, highlighting the cane reinforced adobe technique (CRA), with a value of 0.714 in relation to industrialized materials such as masonry. This technique has the same safety characteristics, but at almost half the price, with the additional advantage of using traditional materials and construction methods, having less environmental impact and showing better thermal performance in cold climates. Full article
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Article
Preliminary Proposal for an Alternative Wall Lining Panel Based on Molded Recycled Cellulose and Designed for Home Wiring Refurbishment of Building Interior Partitions
Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4643; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094643 - 22 Apr 2021
Viewed by 342
Abstract
Old dwellings usually have shortfalls in insulation, acoustic and thermal, and in security of electrical services in the interior partition walls. A common building solution is to add a wall lining with a laminate base gypsum board that improves both acoustic and thermal [...] Read more.
Old dwellings usually have shortfalls in insulation, acoustic and thermal, and in security of electrical services in the interior partition walls. A common building solution is to add a wall lining with a laminate base gypsum board that improves both acoustic and thermal insulation and facilitates a new invisible cable layout without demolition. Conventional solutions have had limited success because of time consumption, environmental impact and cost. This research aimed to create an integrated building system to carry out these interior building refurbishment works quickly, cleanly and with low inconvenience and environmental impact. The research specifically focused on incorporating new molded materials that have a low environmental impact and improving the handling and future modification of the wall lining system. In response to the above goals, the product development methodology was applied to the design of an internal panel to be inserted between the existing partition wall and the closure wallboard, which is usually laminated base gypsum board (LGB). The proposed internalpanel is molded with recycled cellulose pulp (Biprocel) and has adequate relief designed to improve cable layout tasks and better join the laminate base gypsum board to the existing wall face. The development resulted from collaboration between the public administration, university researchers and undergraduate students in the co-design process. This research contributes to improving the applications of recycled cellulose fibers in molded panels for the building industry, particularly in refurbishment activities. Full article
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Article
Multiscale Integral Assessment of Habitability in the Case of El Raval in Barcelona
Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4598; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094598 - 21 Apr 2021
Viewed by 481
Abstract
The understanding of habitability conditions of existing housing stock plays a central role in the quantification and qualification of sustainability from the architectural field. This research assessed habitability as a fundamental social benefit by means of a multiscale approach to the case study [...] Read more.
The understanding of habitability conditions of existing housing stock plays a central role in the quantification and qualification of sustainability from the architectural field. This research assessed habitability as a fundamental social benefit by means of a multiscale approach to the case study of the Raval neighborhood that can be replicated in other settings. We described a sample of six hundred dwellings located in two urban blocks spatially and typologically. This analysis of architectural features incorporated information on the current occupancy and use of spaces and the assessment of the state of conservation and maintenance of building envelopes and common elements. Although the scale of most analyzed aspects was larger (building, urban block or urban fabric), the discussion of results by housing unit provided a close picture of the existing diversity and heterogeneity of socio-spatial and architectural realities within buildings and urban blocks. Results from this paper allow for the valuation and discussion of substandard housing cases that call for an immediate improvement and adaptation, while providing evidence that most dwellings fail to fulfill residents’ right to adequate housing. In conclusion, the results obtained highlight the importance of designing rehabilitation programs and instruments to improve existing spaces with a focus on current use, occupancy, and residents’ needs. Full article
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Article
Methodology for Residential Building Stock Refurbishment Planning—Development of Local Building Typologies
Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4262; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084262 - 12 Apr 2021
Viewed by 432
Abstract
This paper presents the methodology for the implementation of building typology principles as a tool for the strategic planning of residential building stock energy retrofits on a municipal level in Serbia. Research was conducted under the IEE EPISCOPE (Intelligent Energy Europe EPISCOPE/TABULA project) [...] Read more.
This paper presents the methodology for the implementation of building typology principles as a tool for the strategic planning of residential building stock energy retrofits on a municipal level in Serbia. Research was conducted under the IEE EPISCOPE (Intelligent Energy Europe EPISCOPE/TABULA project) project with the aim of developing an adequate tool for creating building stock energy retrofit management strategies on a local level. An approach that envisions the diversity and uneven spatial distribution of building stock in smaller scale municipalities and includes statistically relevant sampling of all relevant building types was developed and tested in the pilot project that focused on the city of Vršac. Two options for local typology development were formulated: a top-down approach, which relies on the data from the national typology or other available databases by reducing them to the local level, and a bottom-up approach, which represents a new data gathering and processing method. Both approaches were tested in the pilot project and the results are compared in this paper. From the conclusions of these analyses, a common methodology for the development of local building typologies has been defined. It can be used in the strategic planning of building stock, whether for the purpose of developing local energy action plans (LEAPs) or other purposes internationally. Full article
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Article
TOPOI RESOURCES: Quantification and Assessment of Global Warming Potential and Land-Uptake of Residential Buildings in Settlement Types along the Urban–Rural Gradient—Opportunities for Sustainable Development
Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4099; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084099 - 07 Apr 2021
Viewed by 548
Abstract
The METAPOLIS as the polycentric network of urban–rural settlement is undergoing constant transformation and urbanization processes. In particular, the associated imbalance of the shrinkage and growth of different settlement types in relative geographical proximity causes negative effects, such as urban sprawl and the [...] Read more.
The METAPOLIS as the polycentric network of urban–rural settlement is undergoing constant transformation and urbanization processes. In particular, the associated imbalance of the shrinkage and growth of different settlement types in relative geographical proximity causes negative effects, such as urban sprawl and the divergence of urban–rural lifestyles with their related resource, land and energy consumption. Implicitly related to these developments, national and global sustainable development goals for the building sector lead to the question of how a region can be assessed without detailed research and surveys to identify critical areas with high potential for sustainable development. In this study, the TOPOI method is used. It classifies settlement units and their interconnections along the urban–rural gradient, in order to quantify and assess the land-uptake and global warming potential driven by residential developments. Applying standard planning parameters in combination with key data from a comprehensive life cycle assessment of the residential building stock, a detailed understanding of different settlement types and their associated resource and energy consumption is achieved. Full article
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Article
Evaluation of Life-Cycle Assessment Analysis: Application to Restoration Projects and New Construction in Alpine Climate, Japan
Sustainability 2021, 13(7), 3608; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073608 - 24 Mar 2021
Viewed by 545
Abstract
The present paper discusses the applications of life-cycle assessment (LCA) to construction works in Japan. LCA has been frequently used to assess the environmental impacts of new construction. Nonetheless, the applications of LCA to restoration have not been fully confirmed to date. It [...] Read more.
The present paper discusses the applications of life-cycle assessment (LCA) to construction works in Japan. LCA has been frequently used to assess the environmental impacts of new construction. Nonetheless, the applications of LCA to restoration have not been fully confirmed to date. It is said that historical buildings may contribute to sustainable development. Nonetheless, as for heritage buildings, since the protection of cultural value is usually prioritised, their environmental impacts may not be sufficiently explored. To this aim, this paper evaluated the environmental impacts of the restoration of heritage buildings. This paper consisted of two tasks. First, the restoration projects of heritage buildings in Japan were introduced. The restoration of two heritage houses was discussed, referring to heritage protection legislation in Japan. Second, LCA was performed on the restoration of heritage houses and the construction of contemporary houses. Environmental impacts were compared between the restoration and new construction with regard to greenhouse gas emissions and operational energy use. A focus was given to the amount of materials used. Restoration consumes a limited amount of materials compared to new construction, although the energy use of heritage buildings is considerable. The environmental impacts of restoration were quantified so that they were compared with those of new construction. The comparison indicated issues applying LCA to heritage buildings. Full article
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Article
Simulation Method to Assess Thermal Comfort in Historical Buildings with High-Volume Interior Spaces—The Case of the Gothic Basilica of Sta. Maria del Mar in Barcelona
Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2980; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052980 - 09 Mar 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 489
Abstract
Concerns about the energy performance of heritage buildings have grown exponentially over the last decade. However, actions have been limited to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Another perspective must be studied—the thermal comfort of users, for human welfare and health. The assessment [...] Read more.
Concerns about the energy performance of heritage buildings have grown exponentially over the last decade. However, actions have been limited to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Another perspective must be studied—the thermal comfort of users, for human welfare and health. The assessment of thermal comfort inside a historic building with a single, large volume interior space is not easy. The complexity increases if the building has high cultural protection and its envelope cannot be altered, to preserve its historical values. This paper focuses on this kind of building and describes a dynamic simulation method used to assess thermal comfort in the Gothic Basilica of Sta. Maria del Mar in Barcelona. The basilica’s interior thermal conditions are intense cold during the winter and extreme heat and sultriness during the summer. Several simulation scenarios were considered to highlight the failure to obtain thermal comfort for users through passive strategies during the summer period. When all the factors are considered, the only valid strategy is to introduce an active system. This must be minimized according to three criteria: reducing operational periods, considering just the air volume next to users and adjusting the level of comfort requirement. Full article
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Article
Multi-Objective Optimization of Building Life Cycle Performance. A Housing Renovation Case Study in Northern Europe
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7807; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187807 - 22 Sep 2020
Viewed by 1187
Abstract
While the operational energy use of buildings is often regulated in current energy saving policies, their embodied greenhouse gas emissions still have a considerable mitigation potential. The study aims at developing a multi-objective optimization method for design and renovation of buildings incorporating the [...] Read more.
While the operational energy use of buildings is often regulated in current energy saving policies, their embodied greenhouse gas emissions still have a considerable mitigation potential. The study aims at developing a multi-objective optimization method for design and renovation of buildings incorporating the operational and embodied energy demands, global warming potential, and costs as objective functions. The optimization method was tested on the renovation of an apartment building in Denmark, mainly focusing envelope improvements as roof and exterior wall insulation and windows. Cellulose insulation has been the predominant result, together with fiber cement or aluminum-based cladding and 2-layered glazing. The annual energy demand has been reduced from 166.4 to a range between 76.5 and 83.7 kWh/(m2 y) in the optimal solutions. The fact that the legal requirements of 70 kWh/(m2 y) are nearly met without building service improvements indicates that energy requirements can be fulfilled without compromising greenhouse gas emissions and cost. Since the method relies on standard national performance reporting tools, the authors believe that this study is a preliminary step towards more cost-efficient and low-carbon building renovations by utilizing multi-optimization techniques. Full article
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Review

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Review
Sustainable Design, Construction, Refurbishment and Restoration of Architecture: A Review
Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9741; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229741 - 22 Nov 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 950
Abstract
Considering the serious challenges our planet is facing, the building environment and construction sector must minimize their high negative impacts and maximize their contribution to sustainability. Many alternatives could promote this change, but to effectively optimize our architecture, we must take the step [...] Read more.
Considering the serious challenges our planet is facing, the building environment and construction sector must minimize their high negative impacts and maximize their contribution to sustainability. Many alternatives could promote this change, but to effectively optimize our architecture, we must take the step of quantifying and qualifying the sustainability of our constructions by choosing the best assessment alternative in each case. Many assessment methodologies and tools exist and there have been numerous reviews of them. The main objective and novelty of this review is to present an updated critical overview of all the sustainability evaluation alternatives developed in research studies in the fields of architectural design, construction, refurbishment and restoration. To achieve this, the analysis follows a specific methodology based on recent similar reviews. The result is a database with 1242 eligible documents analyzed in this review and attached as supplementary material available for future studies. As a main conclusion, rating tools and life cycle methods were found to be the most commonly applied methodologies, while the most recent tendencies use combined methods and probabilistic scenarios. This review could be useful to move towards a more sustainable building environment. Full article
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Review
Going beyond Good Intentions for the Sustainable Conservation of Built Heritage: A Systematic Literature Review
Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9649; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229649 - 19 Nov 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 879
Abstract
This research addresses the performance gap between intentions towards a sustainable conservation of built heritage and its actual implementation. Socio-psychological models of human behaviour, such as the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), have been studying this dissonance between intention and behaviour, and allow [...] Read more.
This research addresses the performance gap between intentions towards a sustainable conservation of built heritage and its actual implementation. Socio-psychological models of human behaviour, such as the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), have been studying this dissonance between intention and behaviour, and allow to recognise latent critical factors. This paper provides a systematic literature review of research publications on the intersection of the topics of human behaviour, heritage, and sustainability. It aims to analyse how the TPB has been used in the field of sustainable conservation of built heritage. The studies are categorised according to the type of heritage, main actors targeted, aims, and methodology. A total of 140 publications were analysed. The results show a recent field of research. In the domain of built heritage conservation, behaviour is commonly addressed as a synonym of performance, targeting the building itself. Most publications relating socio-psychological constructs of behaviour and heritage sustainability can be found in the tourism and hospitality field, focusing on tourists’ and residents’ behaviours. The review shows that practitioners are still absent from the literature. However, research addressing other stakeholders shows that the theoretical framework can play an important role in the implementation of sustainable conservation practices in the built heritage. Full article
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Multiscale integral assessment of habitability conditions in the case of El Raval in Barcelona
Authors: Vima-Grau, S., Cornadó, C., Ravetllat, P., Garcia-Almirall, P.
Abstract: The understanding of habitability conditions of the existing housing stock plays a central role in the quantification and qualification of sustainability from the architectural field. This research aims to assess habitability as a fundamental social benefit by means of a multiscale approach to the case study of the Raval neighborhood. A sample of six hundred dwellings located in two urban blocks is spatially and typologically described through several form factors. The analysis of architectural features incorporates information on the current occupancy and use of spaces and the assessment of the state of conservation and maintenance of building envelopes and common elements. The performance of the built support and its capacity to fulfill residents’ rights to adequate housing is discussed according to up-to-date data on occupancy, uses and conservation. Although the scale of most analyzed aspects is larger (building, urban block or urban tissue), the discussion of results by housing unit provides a close picture of the existing diversity and heterogeneity of socio-spatial and architectural realities within buildings and urban blocks. Results from this paper allow for the valuation and discussion of cases that call for an immediate improvement and adaptation.
Keywords: habitability; housing performances; residential building stock; substandard housing; urban vulnerability; historic centers

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