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Buildings
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Innovative Sustainable Architectural Design, Building Technologies and Structural Retrofitting
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Innovative Sustainable Architectural Design, Building Technologies and Structural Retrofitting

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2023) | Viewed by 10458

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Oriol Pons Valladares

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architectural Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Interests: architecture; sustainability; MCDM; high-tech; low-tech; education; construction; waste construction; post-disaster
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Eva Crespo Sánchez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Interests: efficiency energy; deep retrofit; facilities; industrialized systems; optimal cost; renewables
Dr. Carlos Muñoz Blanc

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architectural Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Interests: structural design; fire engineering; post-fire condition; wind engineering; dynamic behavior; vortex-induced vibration; multidisciplinary analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The current sustainability awareness at global level responds to the high environmental impact by human activities; buildings are responsible for an important part of those human activities. The sustainable impact share by construction activities is close to half of the environmental impact by human activities in some indicators when including the embodied part during the whole life cycle of a building. In order to move towards more sustainable buildings, it is crucial to improve all their life phases, from their design to their end of life, while moving towards a circular economy model in which discarded building elements are reintroduced to the production of new construction components. Therefore, the construction process, the usage phase, as well as the renovation, refurbishment, and retrofitting of buildings need to be optimized. In this sense, structural optimization, from its mechanical to its fire behavior, is essential. Furthermore, new construction technologies such as 3D printing need to be introduced. The highest levels of energy efficiency and occupants’ comfort—thermal, light, acoustic, etc.—are required as well. These demands imply the use of new digital approaches, software tools, hardware, and machinery. At the same time, new and existing assessment tools, rating systems, and standards can quantify and evaluate this optimization. In this context, this Special Issue presents new advances and contributions towards more sustainable architectural technologies and buildings for the future.

Dr. Oriol Pons Valladares
Dr. Eva Crespo Sánchez
Dr. Carlos Muñoz Blanc
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 monthly 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

  • circular economy
  • multi-objective optimization
  • territorial and urban systems
  • intelligent buildings
  • deep retrofitting
  • structural optimization
  • energy efficiency
  • air quality
  • post-fire condition
  • new materials

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 10590 KiB  
Article
Towards Intergenerational Transfer to Raise Awareness about the Benefits and Co-Benefits of Energy Retrofits in Residential Buildings
by Eva Crespo Sánchez, Fabian López Plazas, Belén Onecha Pérez and Carlos Marmolejo-Duarte
Buildings 2023, 13(9), 2213; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13092213 - 30 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1597
Abstract
The LES Project (LES-Llavor Energètica i Salut. Del cole a casa i a la societat, in English: Energy and Health Seed. From school to home and society) is seen as an opportunity to increase the visibility of the role of science and women [...] Read more.
The LES Project (LES-Llavor Energètica i Salut. Del cole a casa i a la societat, in English: Energy and Health Seed. From school to home and society) is seen as an opportunity to increase the visibility of the role of science and women scientists in their actual contexts and to present architectural research as essential in mitigating climate change and improving people’s health. The goal of this research was to reach the greatest range of people possible through intergenerational transfer. However, the main receptors and drivers were students aged between 8 and 10 years old who were responsible for transmitting energy and environmental conditioning concepts and their interrelations with strategic performance in buildings. Awareness was raised through scientific workshops implemented in primary schools that had energy and air quality deficiencies and opportunities, and the concepts were extrapolated to housing. Two schools in different socioeconomic districts (vulnerable and middle-income families) were selected as a strategy to provide details about the perceptions of energy benefits in both schools’ families. The results of the experience were highly satisfactory. Children from 8 to 10 years old were interested and ready to understand and transfer key concepts about energy efficiency and health improvement through the transformation of the buildings surrounding them. The dissemination of the project and social awareness reached the primary students of the two schools selected for the project and the entire educational community (students, teachers, families and all of society). Currently, we are working on a second stage that will allow for a broad volume of replicability of the workshops, with schoolteachers taking the lead in these actions. For this purpose, LES has the support of the Department of Education of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Sustainable Architectural Design, Building Technologies and Structural Retrofitting)
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18 pages, 31532 KiB  
Article
Multi-Level Numerical Modelling and Analysis of Tile Vaults
by David López López, Nuno Mendes, Daniel V. Oliveira, Lucrecia J. Calderón Valdiviezo and Marta Domènech-Rodríguez
Buildings 2023, 13(8), 2052; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13082052 - 11 Aug 2023
Viewed by 741
Abstract
The complex structural behaviour of masonry, with its brittle response in tension, frictional response in shear, and anisotropy, makes it challenging to model accurately. Tile vaults, with their unique features such as different binders and bricks placed flat, have distinctive structural performance, and [...] Read more.
The complex structural behaviour of masonry, with its brittle response in tension, frictional response in shear, and anisotropy, makes it challenging to model accurately. Tile vaults, with their unique features such as different binders and bricks placed flat, have distinctive structural performance, and determining the most suitable assessment method is still a subject of debate in both academic and professional circles. This paper presents a study on the structural analysis of tile vaults, aiming at evaluating different numerical approaches for this type of structure. The examination of these approaches and their effectiveness in capturing the structural behaviour of tile vaults intends to offer valuable insights to researchers and professionals in this field. Experimental research was initially carried out in order to provide data for the calibration of the structural models. Two full-scale vaults were tested. Furthermore, several material characterization tests were also performed. The numerical assessment was carried out through limit analysis and non-linear static analysis with numerical models based on the Finite Element Method (FEM). Two FEM models were prepared using different modelling approaches for masonry, namely the macro-modelling and the simplified micro-modelling approaches. The results of the limit analysis presented a load capacity significantly lower than the ultimate load obtained from the experimental tests. The calibrated FEM models presented good results in comparison to the experimental results, namely in terms of damage pattern and load capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Sustainable Architectural Design, Building Technologies and Structural Retrofitting)
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21 pages, 3639 KiB  
Article
New Approach to Design and Assess Metaverse Environments for Improving Learning Processes in Higher Education: The Case of Architectural Construction and Rehabilitation
by Belén Onecha, Còssima Cornadó, Jordi Morros and Oriol Pons
Buildings 2023, 13(5), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13051340 - 20 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1833
Abstract
This research paper has defined and applied a new approach to develop and optimize augmented reality-based metaverse environments for learning construction and rehabilitation in architectural studies. This research paper is part of a broader project that aims to improve the learning process of [...] Read more.
This research paper has defined and applied a new approach to develop and optimize augmented reality-based metaverse environments for learning construction and rehabilitation in architectural studies. This research paper is part of a broader project that aims to improve the learning process of architectural students by approaching construction and rehabilitation realities to the classroom in a feasible and pedagogical way. The approach has been applied successfully to develop a new environment with augmented reality that allows teachers to carry out activities using computers, tablets, cellphones and smartphone headsets in classrooms. Students’ satisfaction regarding the new environment is high, though there is room for improvement. The assessment of this new environment has involved both questionnaires and a multicriteria decision-making method which have holistically evaluated the new proposal by achieving complementary results. The main advantages of this new environment are in terms of application and inclusion, while its weaknesses will be solved in future steps that will introduce both mixed reality, to enlarge students’ perception and comprehension, as well as neuroeducation, to diminish students’ potential annoyances and dissatisfaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Sustainable Architectural Design, Building Technologies and Structural Retrofitting)
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22 pages, 6298 KiB  
Article
Co-Design and Co-Manufacturing: A Multidisciplinary Approach through Small-Scale Architectural Experiences in Barcelona
by Marta Domènech-Rodríguez, Còssima Cornadó, Sara Vima-Grau, Gonzalo Piasek, Ainhoa Varela-Conde and Pere Joan Ravetllat Mira
Buildings 2023, 13(5), 1159; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13051159 - 27 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1352
Abstract
This article aims to explore the potential and limitations of participatory design and co-manufacturing processes, taking the city of Barcelona as a reference. It is characterized by an aging building stock, tourist pressure, and difficulties for citizens in accessing affordable housing. In this [...] Read more.
This article aims to explore the potential and limitations of participatory design and co-manufacturing processes, taking the city of Barcelona as a reference. It is characterized by an aging building stock, tourist pressure, and difficulties for citizens in accessing affordable housing. In this sense, a selection of six cases of co-design and co-manufacturing is presented, as a range of small-scale interventions that were shared and discussed in the “Debate sessions. Co-Design and Co-Fabrication in Architecture” within the Co-Hab-Raval project, which motivated this research. Thanks to these case studies, it has been possible to analyse a wide range of intervention practices. The article exposes the socioeconomic context of Barcelona and its lack of affordable housing, which motivated the practices presented. In addition, the cases are carrying out a comparative analysis based on the parameters of agents involved, the type of users’ participation, and materials resource management. Finally, the results obtained highlight the relationship between the construction systems and the self-construction and reuse strategies used, as well as the importance of the plurality of agents that intervened in the design process to enrich the proposals and empower users, especially in vulnerable environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Sustainable Architectural Design, Building Technologies and Structural Retrofitting)
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24 pages, 7890 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical Study on Unreinforced Brick Masonry Walls Retrofitted with Sprayed Mortar under Uniaxial Compression
by Dawei Huang, Albert Albareda and Oriol Pons
Buildings 2023, 13(1), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13010122 - 03 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1651
Abstract
The use of shotcrete or sprayed mortar is a common construction alternative to retrofit unreinforced brick masonry (URM), and extensive research has already been carried out in this area. However, most studies have been conducted on lateral strength, for example, eccentric compression or [...] Read more.
The use of shotcrete or sprayed mortar is a common construction alternative to retrofit unreinforced brick masonry (URM), and extensive research has already been carried out in this area. However, most studies have been conducted on lateral strength, for example, eccentric compression or seismic forces. On the other hand, there are few studies about uniaxial compression, and the results of most studies confirm a strong relationship between the thickness of the retrofitting layer and whether it is a double-sided retrofitting section. However, most studies are exclusively experimental, with few samples, and lack numerical analysis; therefore, deeper research is required on this issue. In this sense, this paper combined experiments and finite element (FE) simulations to further study the uniaxial compression. A series of cyclic uniaxial compression experiments on URM retrofitting with sprayed mortar were performed. The experimental results were used to calibrate the FE model. Using these calibrated FE models, more variable parameters were run so that more reference results could be obtained. Moreover, the resulting damageable model of FE will be useful for studying the behavior in the inelastic phase. Results found that the compression strength of most composite walls retrofitted with sprayed mortar increases with the thickness of the sprayed layer and can improve the construction defects of the masonry itself. An over-thin sprayed layer reduces the range of the elastic phase of the composite wall. This phenomenon tends to stabilize with increasing thickness. The ultimate strength of the composite masonry is generally positively correlated with the overall increase in the thickness of the sprayed mortar but may cause a negative contribution to the ultimate strength of the composite masonry when the sprayed layer is too thin. The contribution of double-sided spraying to the ultimate strength of the composite wall was not as large as expected, but the contribution to the improvement of the elastic modulus of the wall was significant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Sustainable Architectural Design, Building Technologies and Structural Retrofitting)
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Review

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33 pages, 3382 KiB  
Review
Towards Sustainable Construction: A Systematic Review of Circular Economy Strategies and Ecodesign in the Built Environment
by Janaine Fernanda Gaelzer Timm, Vinícius Gonçalves Maciel and Ana Passuello
Buildings 2023, 13(8), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13082059 - 13 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2455
Abstract
This review discusses the unsustainable nature of current production and consumption patterns, particularly in the civil construction sector. To address this, the circular economy model has been proposed as a solution, but the impact reduction of circular strategies (CS) is not well understood. [...] Read more.
This review discusses the unsustainable nature of current production and consumption patterns, particularly in the civil construction sector. To address this, the circular economy model has been proposed as a solution, but the impact reduction of circular strategies (CS) is not well understood. Thus, aligning CS with ecodesign can help achieve sustainable development. We conducted a systematic review of studies on CS and ecodesign strategies (ES) in the built environment, which led us to identify 23 essential strategies, including reuse, recycling, design for disassembly, and design for life extension. This article expands on previous research by identifying 51 CS and ES, some of which are interconnected, and adopting one strategy may benefit another. The authors propose a framework based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act concept to support and manage trade-offs when selecting strategies and to facilitate a collaborative decision-making process. The framework can also help manage the effects of using these strategies on circularity and environmental, social, and economic performance, ultimately improving the construction sector’s environmental performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Sustainable Architectural Design, Building Technologies and Structural Retrofitting)
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