Advances in the Sustainability and Energy Efficiency of Buildings

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the significant role buildings play in global energy consumption and climate change due to their use of energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Key areas of exploration include:

Design Phase: This phase centers on understanding climate factors essential for sustainable buildings, placing particular emphasis on the accurate assignment of climatic zones. Renewable energy integration becomes a focal point, ensuring buildings harness sustainable energy sources effectively. Additionally, the phase encompasses adaptive design strategies and the pursuit of sustainable building certifications.

Construction Phase: This phase underscores the importance of sustainability and energy efficiency in modern construction practices. It emphasizes the integration of eco-friendly materials, aligning with circular economy principles. Innovations span a range of areas, from sustainable materials and energy-efficient building procedures to green facility design and installation management. These advancements not only contribute to energy efficiency but also play a pivotal role in enhancing urban air quality and promoting overall sustainability in the built environment.

Usage Phase: The sustainable operation and maintenance of buildings during the usage phase are pivotal not only for guaranteeing long-term energy efficiency but also for achieving significant energy savings. This approach aids in minimizing environmental impacts and fostering the well-being and comfort of occupants. Key aspects of this phase include energy consumption and management, which directly ties to energy savings, indoor environmental quality, thermal energy, water usage and conservation, waste management, and building maintenance. This phase also emphasizes retrofitting and upgrades, which can further enhance energy savings, as well as adaptation to changing conditions, among other vital considerations.

Holistic Approach: This approach represents a comprehensive strategy in building design and construction, emphasizing energy efficiency, sustainability, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Fundamental to this approach are interdisciplinary collaborations and lifecycle thinking, which serve as cornerstone principles for sustainable building design and construction. Research in this domain can either be localized or encompass broader regions, but it is essential to engage with communities and stakeholders. This engagement aims to strike a balance between sustainability, the health and well-being of occupants, and economic viability.

Prof. Dr. Carlos Roldán-Blay
Prof. Dr. Eduardo Quiles
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

• sustainable design
• energy efficiency
• circular economy
• lifecycle thinking
• building certifications
• energy management systems
• net-zero energy buildings
• energy conservation measures
• passive design strategies
• renewable energy integration