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Buildings
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Buildings' Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency for a Sustainable Construction
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Buildings' Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency for a Sustainable Construction

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 1959

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jingyuan Zhao

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Guest Editor
School of Architecture, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710000, China
Interests: green buildings; urban ecological environment and ecological planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xuan Ma

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Guest Editor
School of Architecture, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710061, China
Interests: indoor and outdoor thermal comfort; low-carbon building design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Qian Zhang

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Guest Editor
Joint School of Design and Innovation, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Interests: urban design; thermal environment optimization; climate-sensitive design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing urgency of climate change and the need for sustainable development have prompted significant interest in improving the thermal performance and energy efficiency of buildings. This special issue aims to gather innovative research that explores the latest advancements in building materials, design strategies, and technologies that enhance thermal performance while reducing energy consumption. We invite contributions that address the integration of passive and active design approaches, the role of renewable energy sources, and the application of smart technologies in achieving energy efficiency. Additionally, studies that investigate the life cycle impacts of buildings, including energy use, carbon emissions, and thermal comfort, are encouraged. By showcasing interdisciplinary research and case studies, this issue will provide valuable insights for architects, engineers, policymakers, and researchers, fostering a collaborative approach toward sustainable construction practices. Together, we can contribute to a future where buildings are not only energy-efficient but also resilient and conducive to the well-being of their occupants.

Prof. Dr. Jingyuan Zhao
Dr. Xuan Ma
Dr. Qian Zhang
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. Buildings 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 2600 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

  • thermal performance
  • carbon emissions
  • thermal comfort
  • sustainable construction
  • passive design
  • life cycle assessment

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 8553 KiB  
Article
Correlation Between the Insolation Shadow Ratio and Thermal Comfort of Urban Outdoor Spaces in Residential Areas in Xi’an
by Jie Song, Yu Liu, David Hou Chi Chow, Bo Liu and Seigen Cho
Buildings 2025, 15(12), 1995; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15121995 - 10 Jun 2025
Viewed by 323
Abstract
Solar exposure and shading critically influence outdoor thermal comfort in residential areas, yet quantitative links between spatial morphology and microclimate remain insufficiently explored in cold-region cities. This study proposes a novel morphological indicator, the Insolation Shadow Ratio (ISR), to quantify sunlight–shade dynamics and [...] Read more.
Solar exposure and shading critically influence outdoor thermal comfort in residential areas, yet quantitative links between spatial morphology and microclimate remain insufficiently explored in cold-region cities. This study proposes a novel morphological indicator, the Insolation Shadow Ratio (ISR), to quantify sunlight–shade dynamics and investigates its correlation with outdoor thermal comfort (UTCI) in Xi’an, China. Combining field observations, microclimate simulations, and statistical analysis, we quantified ISR and UTCI across three representative outdoor spaces in a residential area. Photographic analysis and spatial parameterization were employed to calculate hourly ISR values. Significant correlations were observed between ISR and UTCI values. The measured data showed the strongest correlation at summer solstice at site C (Spearman’s r = 0.883, p < 0.01). GAM analysis of seasonal peak correlation data revealed that an optimal UTCI comfort range of 9 °C to 26 °C, corresponding to ISR thresholds of 0.0202–0.8384, achieved the highest autumn correlation at site C (r = 0.686, p < 0.01), while effectively balancing shade cooling effects and solar accessibility. The ISR framework provides a quantifiable tool for designers to optimize outdoor thermal environments and, when enhanced by parametric modeling tools, enables them to proactively optimize thermal performance during early-stage residential planning, offering a data-driven pathway for climate-resilient outdoor space design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings' Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency for a Sustainable Construction)
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19 pages, 2789 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Low-Carbon Technology on Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Building Sector: A Case Study of Xi’an, China
by Dongyi Zhang, Lu Sun, Yifan Zhang, Tianye Liu, Lu Gao, Fufu Wang, Xinting Qiao, Yuqi Liu, Jian Zuo and Yupeng Wang
Buildings 2025, 15(12), 1989; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15121989 - 10 Jun 2025
Viewed by 334
Abstract
Efficient carbon reduction pathways in the building sector are critical for urban decarbonization. This study predicts urban carbon emissions and establishes models to evaluate the carbon emission reduction potential of applying building low-carbon technologies (LCTs) at the urban scale. The models under consideration [...] Read more.
Efficient carbon reduction pathways in the building sector are critical for urban decarbonization. This study predicts urban carbon emissions and establishes models to evaluate the carbon emission reduction potential of applying building low-carbon technologies (LCTs) at the urban scale. The models under consideration encompass a spectrum of active strategies, specifically heat pump (HP), rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, and smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, alongside passive strategies encompassing advanced building materials and building envelopes. The predictive calculations consider building typologies, technological evolution, adoption rates, and local policy constraints. Results indicate that by 2030, the building sector in Xi’an will account for over 30% of the city’s total carbon emissions. The integrated emission reduction effect of LCTs reaches 25.8%, with building materials contributing the most significantly at 9%. Notably, rooftop PV systems demonstrate the highest carbon reduction potential among active strategies, while HP exhibits the fastest annual growth rate in mitigation. Furthermore, the study evaluates the feasibility of these LCTs to accelerate progress toward carbon reduction goals in the building sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings' Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency for a Sustainable Construction)
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21 pages, 2366 KiB  
Article
The Coupling Coordination Degree and Spatio-Temporal Divergence Between Land Urbanization and Energy Consumption Carbon Emissions of China’s Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration
by Zhengru Li, Yang Yu, Bo Liu, Xiaoyu Zhang, Tianyin Li, Nuo Shi and Yichen Ren
Buildings 2025, 15(11), 1880; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111880 - 29 May 2025
Viewed by 347
Abstract
The strategic coordinated development of land urbanization and carbon emission systems in urban agglomerations is crucial for achieving dual carbon goals and sustainable development. While existing studies emphasize population and economic urbanization, the spatiotemporal coupling mechanisms between land urbanization (encompassing size, input, and [...] Read more.
The strategic coordinated development of land urbanization and carbon emission systems in urban agglomerations is crucial for achieving dual carbon goals and sustainable development. While existing studies emphasize population and economic urbanization, the spatiotemporal coupling mechanisms between land urbanization (encompassing size, input, and output dimensions) and carbon emissions remain underexplored. This study collects data on land urbanization and carbon emissions from 27 cities in China’s Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration between 2010 and 2019. By establishing evaluation systems for land urbanization and energy consumption carbon emission subsystems, by and employing coupling coordination degree models with spatial autocorrelation analysis methods, this paper analyzes the spatiotemporal dynamic evolution characteristics of the coupled coordination relationship between land urbanization and energy consumption carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration. The results indicate the following: (1) From 2010 to 2019, the comprehensive level of the land urbanization subsystem in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration continued to rise, with higher comprehensive indices in the southern and northern peripheral regions and lower values in central urban areas. The carbon emission subsystem showed sustained stable decline, with a gradual reduction in the number of cities maintaining low carbon emission levels. (2) Temporally, the overall coupling coordination degree of the urban agglomeration system demonstrated an upward trend, progressing from severe imbalance to the primary coordination stage. (3) Spatially, significant regional differences in coupling coordination degree were observed, showing higher values in the southeastern areas compared to the northwestern regions. (4) Most areas exhibited no significant clustering characteristics in the coupling coordination degree between land urbanization and energy consumption carbon emissions, while the local spatial clustering patterns demonstrated temporal variations. These findings systematically reveal the transition mechanisms of land–carbon coordination in urban agglomerations, providing empirical evidence to resolve the theoretical debate on urbanization’s dual role in emission promotion and reduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings' Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency for a Sustainable Construction)
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18 pages, 7526 KiB  
Article
Optimization Design Research of Architectural Layout and Morphology in Multi-Story Dormitory Areas Based on Wind Environment Analysis
by Xiangru Chen, Haoran Kang, Juanru Zhao and Qibo Liu
Buildings 2025, 15(10), 1747; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101747 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 330
Abstract
Optimizing the wind environment within university dormitory areas is essential for ensuring student safety, enhancing living comfort, and improving building energy efficiency. In this study, the wind environment of multi-story university dormitories in cold regions is comprehensively investigated through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) [...] Read more.
Optimizing the wind environment within university dormitory areas is essential for ensuring student safety, enhancing living comfort, and improving building energy efficiency. In this study, the wind environment of multi-story university dormitories in cold regions is comprehensively investigated through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations conducted with the PHONECIS software (version 2019), combined with orthogonal experimental design methods for systematic analysis and optimization. Through orthogonal experimental design, the effects of key morphological parameters—including building layout, length, width, and height—on the near-ground wind environment were evaluated. Among these, building width exerted the greatest influence, followed by building length, layout form, and finally building height. Based on the analysis, the optimal design scheme features a staggered building layout, with individual dormitory buildings measuring 60 m in length, 16 m in width, and 11.4 m in height. This optimized design was implemented in the multi-story dormitory area of the eastern section of Chang’an University’s New Campus. A comparative analysis of wind speed distribution before and after optimization, conducted specifically for the outdoor spaces during the winter season, revealed that the average near-ground wind speed was reduced from 3.3 m/s to 2.7 m/s, achieving an 18% reduction. The staggered arrangement and adjusted building proportions effectively dispersed airflow, mitigated high-velocity zones, and significantly enhanced outdoor wind comfort and pedestrian safety. This study introduces a morphology–wind environment coupling strategy from an architectural perspective to guide the design of dormitory buildings in cold regions. Rather than focusing on mathematical modeling, the research emphasizes design-oriented outcomes aimed at informing and optimizing practical architectural solutions for safer, more comfortable, and energy-efficient campus living environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings' Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency for a Sustainable Construction)
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