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Designs
Special Issues
Sustainable and Conventional Buildings
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Sustainable and Conventional Buildings

A special issue of Designs (ISSN 2411-9660). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering Design".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 July 2021) | Viewed by 26437

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marco Caniato

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, I-39100 Bolzano, Italy
Interests: Construction; Construction Engineering; Building Materials; Building; Sustainable Construction; Building Technology; Industrial Engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Federica Bettarello

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Interests: acoustics; architecture; comfort perception; inclusive design; building elements; sustainable solutions for the built environment; timber buildings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

At present, comfort is one of the most highly rated parameters for the built environment and cities. Buildings are part of everyone’s life, and their role is to protect us from outdoor climate conditions and to host us during our lifetime. Cities must provide neighbourhoods and services to meet the needs of increasingly heterogeneous groups of people. Nevertheless, in recent years, the Kyoto Protocol has pushed to limit CO2 emissions in every living and production area. The use of sustainable materials, near zero-energy buildings, transport that reduces consumption as much as possible for their operation and harmful impact on the environments, etc. is now being stimulated worldwide.

For these reasons, this Special Issue on sustainable building and city design, construction, and renovation is being launched. This Special Issue aims to include original research and high-quality review articles on the design principles of interior spaces, buildings, and cities, with particular reference to quality of life aspects, such as sound insulation and/or propagation, energy saving, sustainable living, indoor and outdoor comfort designs, etc. Reports on experimental, computational, or multidisciplinary research are encouraged. Review articles describing the current state of the art are also welcome.

Dr. Marco Caniato

Dr. Federica Bettarello
Guest Editor

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. Designs 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 1600 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

  • Design principles of buildings and cities
  • Applied research using measurements or questionnaires
  • Numerical studies and research on sustainable buildings or buildings elements
  • Design and study of new materials with thermal and acoustic properties
  • Recent advances in the field of sustainability for buildings and cities
  • Change in performances due to service time and strategies to renovate
  • Case studies of new applications and/or traditional solutions used in new applications
  • New recycled materials with good thermal and/or acoustic properties
  • Indoor and/or outdoor design for sustainable living
  • Soundscapes for sustainable cities

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

2 pages, 156 KiB  
Editorial
Sustainable and Conventional Buildings
by Marco Caniato and Federica Bettarello
Designs 2022, 6(3), 51; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/designs6030051 - 03 Jun 2022
Viewed by 1228
Abstract
This editorial aims at summarize the scientific papers contributing to the Special Issue “Sustainable and Conventional Buildings” [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Conventional Buildings)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

22 pages, 4709 KiB  
Article
Silencer Design for the Control of Low Frequency Noise in Ventilation Ducts
by Edoardo Alessio Piana, Ulf Erik Carlsson, Adriano Maria Lezzi, Diego Paderno and Susann Boij
Designs 2022, 6(2), 37; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/designs6020037 - 06 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5834
Abstract
The control of noise propagating along ventilation system ducts has always been an important issue in the building and vehicle sectors. This problem is generally tackled by selecting noise-reducing components with a suitable transmission loss, possibly verifying their effectiveness at a later time. [...] Read more.
The control of noise propagating along ventilation system ducts has always been an important issue in the building and vehicle sectors. This problem is generally tackled by selecting noise-reducing components with a suitable transmission loss, possibly verifying their effectiveness at a later time. The aim of this article is to characterize the nature of the problem and propose a design approach focusing directly on the perceived effect, that is, on the sound pressure level downstream of the outlet. Because the nature of the noise emission depends on various generation mechanisms, different methods can be applied. Usually, it is more difficult to realize good attenuations at low frequencies because of the limits of sound absorbing materials in such frequency range. For this reason, the ability of reactive components to attenuate the noise below the cut-on frequency will be investigated. This goal is reached by applying the transfer matrix approach to a duct system, with the implementation of the transfer matrices of each single element, and then assembling a system capable of acoustically describing the source and the duct structure. The coupling between the duct system with source and receiver impedances allows one to predict the sound pressure level at a given distance from the outlet. The proposed methodology is implemented in a user-friendly calculation tool with possible academic and professional application. Predictive capability, usability, and intuitiveness of the proposed design procedure are validated against experimental results by real potential users, who express positive feedback. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Conventional Buildings)
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13 pages, 8444 KiB  
Article
Utilization of the Evaluation System for Spatial Comfort toward Multi-Layered Public Hanok Facilities
by Mi-Hyang Lee and Seung-Hoon Han
Designs 2021, 5(4), 79; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/designs5040079 - 10 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1914
Abstract
This study aims to present evaluation methods that can evaluate thermal comfort reflecting traditional values of the vernacular architecture in Korea called Hanok, especially focused on modernized public facilities. For this purpose, representative vertically-sectional structures of Hanok has been categorized by the spatial [...] Read more.
This study aims to present evaluation methods that can evaluate thermal comfort reflecting traditional values of the vernacular architecture in Korea called Hanok, especially focused on modernized public facilities. For this purpose, representative vertically-sectional structures of Hanok has been categorized by the spatial configuration used for public buildings such as school, museum, library and so on. Next, a comfort assessment index was derived to evaluate the spatial comfort performance of Hanok especially with certified domestic standards and indices. Then, predicted mean vote (PMV) has further been selected as the method for the thermal assessment for their interior spaces. As a result, the surrounding conditions showed the least influence on the Hanok comfort and the adjacency type mostly affected the performance of thermal control in the aspects of the habitual sustainability. Finally, Hanok designs could positively be considered and utilized by surroundings and adjacency types that have the most advantages in terms of thermal environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Conventional Buildings)
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18 pages, 8347 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Controlled Mechanical Ventilation Systems for Indoor Acoustic Comfort
by Nicola Granzotto
Designs 2021, 5(3), 48; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/designs5030048 - 02 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2407
Abstract
The indoor air quality inside living spaces is a fundamental factor in providing adequate comfort. In order to do this, a minimum air exchange must be ensured. This can be obtained by means of natural or mechanical ventilation or using the Controlled Mechanical [...] Read more.
The indoor air quality inside living spaces is a fundamental factor in providing adequate comfort. In order to do this, a minimum air exchange must be ensured. This can be obtained by means of natural or mechanical ventilation or using the Controlled Mechanical Ventilation system (CMV). CMV ensures better energy performance, as in the winter period, the warm air that comes out of the building preheats the cold air that enters, and the opposite occurs in the summer period. A possible problem with CMV is the noise of the fans due to the movement of air and to the electric motor rotation. This work presents the results of acoustic measurements performed on an apartment equipped with CMV, operating in a single and simultaneous mode. Acoustic simulations are also presented using raytracing software on three typical apartments. The acoustic simulation carried out using an adequately calibrated 3D model has proved to be a valid support for the study of noise in rooms connected by doors and corridors. By differentiating the fan speed of the CMV, a considerable acoustic comfort improvement was obtained in the bedrooms and in the living room/kitchen. Class I for living rooms and class I or II for bedrooms according to the EN 16798-1 standard were achieved through speed optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Conventional Buildings)
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26 pages, 13184 KiB  
Article
West Bay Business District in Doha, State of Qatar: Envisioning a Vibrant Transit-Oriented Development
by Deema Alattar, Raffaello Furlan, Michael Grosvald and Rashid Al-Matwi
Designs 2021, 5(2), 33; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/designs5020033 - 25 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4034
Abstract
In recent decades, Doha, the capital of Qatar, has experienced a large-scale transformation due to globalization and rapid economic growth. Recently, these changes have led to a focus on infrastructural development and the launch of the city’s metro project, whose success will depend [...] Read more.
In recent decades, Doha, the capital of Qatar, has experienced a large-scale transformation due to globalization and rapid economic growth. Recently, these changes have led to a focus on infrastructural development and the launch of the city’s metro project, whose success will depend heavily on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). TOD focuses on the “3Ds” principles—design, density, and diversity—aiming to create walkable neighborhoods and well-integrated public transportation, with diverse mixed land uses and high-density, sustainable growth. In combining the concepts of livability, sustainable urbanism, and urban sociology, TOD leads to the creation of vibrant and active neighborhoods. The present research project focuses on TOD around Doha’s West Bay metro station, using the city’s central business district as a case study. The aim of this research project is to investigate the existing site conditions of the West Bay area, evaluate them with respect to TOD principles, and then propose a master plan for improved development. The final product of the research project is a proposal with design guidelines that are aimed at increasing the ridership of the West Bay metro station and creating a more attractive and dynamic neighborhood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Conventional Buildings)
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23 pages, 24425 KiB  
Article
Indoor Thermal Environment and Occupant’s Living Pattern of Traditional Timber Houses in Tropics
by Rezuana Islam and Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed
Designs 2021, 5(1), 10; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/designs5010010 - 14 Feb 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3862
Abstract
Traditional timber houses in tropics have specific environmental characteristics that evolved considering material constraints, local construction technology and climate. To provide occupants with the necessary comfort, these naturally ventilated houses adopted several passive design strategies. Moreover, occupants have unique living patterns which may [...] Read more.
Traditional timber houses in tropics have specific environmental characteristics that evolved considering material constraints, local construction technology and climate. To provide occupants with the necessary comfort, these naturally ventilated houses adopted several passive design strategies. Moreover, occupants have unique living patterns which may have contributed towards achieving indoor thermal comfort. However, scientific knowledge regarding these issues is still limited. Therefore, considering traditional timber houses of Bangladesh as sample cases, this study aims to investigate existing relationship between an indoor thermal environment and an occupant’s living pattern within these tropical houses. Physical measurement of thermal parameters and questionnaire surveys followed by personal observations were conducted. Findings show that indoor air temperature (AT °C) fluctuates readily with that outdoors without a timelag resulting in daytime overheating. The occupant’s daytime thermal sensation is mostly slightly warm to hot. Semi-open and outdoor shaded spaces become a way to cope with the daytime overheating period. Occupants frequently use indoor spaces during the night when thermal sensation ranges between neutral to slightly cool. Finally, from the findings an interpretational graph has been developed relating indoor thermal environment with occupant’s living pattern within a traditional timber house. Findings will contribute to professionals and policy-makers developing architectural design strategies that may impact the occupant’s well-being in future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Conventional Buildings)
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19 pages, 10302 KiB  
Article
An Integrated Design Strategy for the Urban Regeneration of West Bay, Business District of Doha (State of Qatar)
by Sarah M. Al-Thani and Raffaello Furlan
Designs 2020, 4(4), 55; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/designs4040055 - 10 Dec 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5353
Abstract
Emergent communities have integrated land use and transportation plan based on transit-oriented developments (TODs) and light rail transit with the sole purpose to enliven and redevelop the constructed environment. Doha has undergone some major transformation in urban growth context due to surge in [...] Read more.
Emergent communities have integrated land use and transportation plan based on transit-oriented developments (TODs) and light rail transit with the sole purpose to enliven and redevelop the constructed environment. Doha has undergone some major transformation in urban growth context due to surge in the economy instigated by oil and gas production. It is noticed that the rapid growth has led to negative impacts in terms of urban design, connectivity, and transportation. It is essential to understand the impact of the TOD model with regards to the challenges and approaches in terms of planning procedures and tactics. The purpose of TOD module is to facilitate access for public transportation and to enable transit commutation which is a missing aspect in the current setting. TODs support and enable sustainable urbanism by revitalizing the livability through integration of land use schemes in the city. This paper focuses on bringing together TOD livability approaches within West Bay, the business district of Doha and its adjacent surroundings. The objective of this research is to assess the livability in West Bay with the implementation of the TOD model. The research findings help to revisit the design and application of TOD models and to enhance the livable conditions for its occupants. The finding suggests a design model based on livability, compactness, public realms, walkability, and accessibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Conventional Buildings)
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