Transition Toward Sustainable Buildings: Volume 2

Energy has always been a cornerstone of societal progress, particularly impactful in modern history where it has shaped how we live and build. Buildings, as key players in energy consumption, account for over one-third of global energy use and are significant contributors to carbon emissions, both directly and indirectly. This is fueled by urban population growth, greater demands for indoor comfort, and increased indoor activity, leading to a rising trajectory for future energy demand. This backdrop sets the stage for a crucial pivot towards sustainable building practices.

This Research Topic aims to forge an interdisciplinary platform that integrates cutting-edge research, innovative strategies, and best practices essential for driving the transition to sustainable buildings. Contributions to this Research Topic will explore and evaluate solutions from technical, economic, and environmental standpoints, challenging current paradigms and proposing new methodologies to reduce the environmental footprint of buildings while enhancing their functionality and comfort.

To delve deeper into the multifaceted nature of sustainable buildings, this Research Topic encourages a broad range of articles, including original research and comprehensive reviews. We are particularly interested in submissions that cover, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Sustainable architecture and design principles
• Hybrid approaches combining passive and active strategies in building designs
• Advances in green and zero-energy buildings
• Techniques and innovations in retrofitting existing structures
• Enhancements in building envelopes and energy management systems
• The use of novel and smart materials in construction and envelope design
• Energy benchmarks and usage monitoring across various building types
• The impact of global health challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on building energy use
• Integration and feasibility of renewable energy solutions in buildings
• Advances in water conservation techniques and IoT applications for building sustainability
• The implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and innovations in daylight systems and lighting performance.
• Contributions are also welcome from related disciplinary perspectives that intersect with building technology, energy management, and sustainable urban development.