In recent years, the interest in multifunctional façade (MF) technology has increased significantly. Recent advances in the integration of active and passive technologies have led to a new concept of building skins with highly flexible and dec...
This work focuses on the development and analysis of a new multifunctional facade panel incorporating PCM in foam layers. The thermal performance was analysed recurring to a hotbox heat flux meter method to determine the thermal transmittance (U-valu...
The integration of energy-active elements into the building envelope in the form of large-area heating/cooling, active thermal protection (ATP), thermal barriers (TB), and TABS represents a technical solution that is consistent with the principles of...
Increasing the share of renewable energies is a key challenge in residential heating systems, particularly when available solar heat cannot be effectively stored or used. This study examines a façade-integrated Multifunctional Building Part (M...
There is huge market potential for energy refurbishment solutions in European buildings. This paper analyzes the challenges related to using a multifunctional energy efficient façade system, the “Meefs” system, in retrofitting mult...
An experiment was conducted to test the optical efficiency of the lenses of the Concentrating Photovoltaic Glazing (CoPVG) concept. The CoPVG is a seasonal glazing system consisting of longitudinal prismatic lenses. The lenses concentrate sunlight on...
The built environment in the EU accounts for 40% of the total energy consumption and 36% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. To address the inefficiency of existing buildings, renovation could reduce their total energy consumption by 5–6% an...
The subject of the article concerns vertical urban farms that play an important role in nature-based solutions and ecosystem services for the city. In the face of a changing climate, progressive environmental degradation, and the related loss of agri...
The paper shows the results of mechanical tests carried out on prototypes of a new Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) component developed by the author and SBskin Smart Building Skin s.r.l. This patented innovative component is able to merge str...
Contemporary glass façade systems play a crucial role in shaping both the environmental performance and the architectural expression of buildings. This study presents a comparative analysis of selected façade solutions, including intern...
Building facade insulation technologies have evolved from primitive thermal barriers to high-performance, multifunctional systems that enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Historical insulation methods, such as thick masonry walls and timber...
Intending to improve building performance and environmental sustainability, vertical greenery systems (VGSs) are employed as effective nature-based solutions (NbSs), yet they often struggle to meet modern building energy demands alone. This study inv...
This paper introduces a hybrid building-integrated photovoltaic façade that brings together a 240 Wp mono PERC photovoltaic (PV) module and an electrically switchable Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal glazing unit within a single layered compon...
Stone surfaces and façades of historic buildings, due to their predominately outdoor location, suffer from many deterioration factors, including air pollution, soluble salts, relative humidity (RH)/temperature, and biodeterioration, which are the mai...
The construction sector presently consumes about 40% of global energy and generates 36% of CO2 emissions, making facade retrofits a priority for decarbonising buildings. This review clarifies how ventilated facades (VFs), wall assemblies that interpo...
The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and Energy Efficiency Directive aim to accelerate the energy transition of the European building stock; however, progress remains insufficient. Off-site construction (OSC) and industrialised syste...
As cities confront multiple challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and food security, growing attention has been given to sustainable vertical farming and renewable energy solutions. Building facades, typically underutilized in high-density...
Semi-transparent Building Integrated Photovoltaics provide a fresh approach to the renewable energy sector, combining the potential of energy generation with aesthetically pleasing, multi-functional building components. Employing a range of technolog...
Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is technology that can significantly increase the share of renewable energy in final energy supply and are one of essential technologies for the nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB), new build and refurbished....
This article presents a project that explores the potential of Additive Manufacturing (AM) for designing and fabricating multi-functional building components for improved climate performance. In this project, an innovative façade wall design w...
This study investigates the effectiveness of sloped horizontal shading fins in enhancing visual comfort, electricity generation, and acoustic attenuation in a south-facing office room in Wrocław, Poland (51° latitude). A simulation-based app...
To meet the European Green Deal targets, the construction sector must improve building thermal performance via advanced insulation systems. Eco-friendly sandwich panels offer a promising solution. Therefore, this work aims to develop and validate a n...
Nature-Based Solutions offer a concrete opportunity to integrate nature into cities and strengthen their resilience, in response to global challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and water management, which are exacerbated by urban e...
The energy consumption of buildings is very important for both economic and environmental reasons. Newly built buildings are characterized by higher insulation and airtightness of the building envelope, and are additionally equipped with technologies...
The aim of this paper is to propose a methodology for supporting decision-making in the design stages of new buildings or in the retrofitting of existing heritages. The focus is on the evaluation of economic–environmental sustainability, consid...
Material selection is essential for advancing sustainability in construction. Biocomposites contribute significantly to raising the awareness of materials derived from biomass. This paper explores the design development and application of novel natur...
The building sector accounts for approx. 40% of total energy consumption and approx. 36% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. As the EU climate targets for 2030 call for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by more than half compared to the...
Under the dual pressures of urbanization and climate change, vertical greening plays a crucial role in compensating for limited urban green space and in enhancing both landscape quality and ecological functions. To improve plant selection strategies...
The aim of this paper is to propose a methodology for supporting decision making in design activities; in case of new projects or retrofitting of existing buildings. A multidisciplinary approach is adopted; involving Real Estate Appraisal and Economi...
Buildings are major contributors to carbon emissions, emphasizing the need for energy efficiency. However, existing solar-integrated building façades often face integration and adaptability challenges. The aim of this study is to propose and e...
Integrated planning of urban blue–green infrastructures is crucial to strengthen urban environmental quality and mitigate negative climate change-associated effects. It implies, however, increased water demand for irrigation, wherefore greywater (was...
Buildings account for a significant share of global energy consumption and carbon emissions, creating an urgent need for advanced energy retrofit technologies. This review critically examines the role of plasma-modified textile polymer materials in i...
This study is devoted to a computational (in silico) assessment of the phytoremediation potential of eco-constructive modules—green facades, green roofs, and ground-based multifunctional systems—as applied to the urban environment of a se...
The building sector accounts for 40% of the total energy consumed in Europe at annual basis, together with the relevant Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. In order to mitigate these impacts, the concept and establishment of the Nearly Zero Energy Buildi...
Inclusively accessible green areas are essential for livable cities. The residential greenery on a door’s step of urban dwellers has rarely been the subject of research. Here we provide insights into the state of the art of residential greenery...
Urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to climate-related stresses such as heatwaves, flooding, and resource inefficiencies, requiring integrated, data-driven strategies to enhance resilience and sustainability. This study presents a modular assessm...
Cementitious materials are susceptible to water ingress due to their hydrophilicity and porous microstructure, which can cause premature destruction and compromise long-term durability. Integral hydrophobic modification using alkyl silanes is an effe...
Advanced Trombe walls are evolving from passive heat-storage elements into multifunctional façade systems that integrate latent storage, photovoltaic generation, controllable airflow, and intelligent operation. Yet evidence on the relative ben...
Decarbonizing the construction sector requires high-volume replacement of Portland clinker with non-calcined supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). This study investigates white cement pastes incorporating raw Algerian diatomite—a silica-...