Low-Carbon Materials for Sustainable and Healthy Buildings: Enhancing Indoor Comfort, Well-Being, and Energy Efficiency with Non-Conventional Constructive Solutions

Dear Colleagues,

Human activity is driving significant changes in our global climate, making it one of the defining challenges of this century [1]. The construction sector contributes 40% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [2], making urgent action essential. In much of the Global North, moderate expansion in floor area are expected over the coming decades [3], with a primary focus on renovating and maintaining existing buildings. Conversely, many regions in the Global South are projected to see substantial growth in floor area [3,4], primarily driven by new construction. These contrasting needs demand targeted strategies: new construction in growth-driven areas and renovation-focused solutions elsewhere. In both cases, it is crucial to minimise GHG emissions by addressing both operational and embodied emissions [5–7]. Moreover, as people spend 90% of their time indoors, construction solutions must ensure high indoor comfort and healthy living conditions for occupants [8].

In this context, the materials we use in our building envelopes matter in several ways. Low-impact materials should be prioritised over carbon-intensive options, while also enhancing indoor living conditions. Low-carbon thermal insulation materials can reduce heating demands and undercooling discomfort, serving as promising alternatives to conventional EPS and mineral wool. Emerging insulation materials include thermal plasters and renders [9–12], bio-based materials [13–15], and alkali-activated insulation [16]. Cooling demands and overheating discomfort can be passively reduced with the use of thermally heavy walls [11], phase-change materials [17,18], and reflective coatings [19–21]. Indoor-facing materials such as plasters [22,23] and finishing panels [24,25] can regulate indoor humidity, passively contributing to hygrometric comfort. Furthermore, some materials emit harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) [26]. Research shows that alternative low-carbon materials can reduce such emissions [27,28], but rigorous testing is still needed to ensure their positive impact on indoor air quality before their large-scale implementation.

This Special Issue invites contributions from current research and advancements in these areas, focusing on innovative materials that enhance indoor comfort and health while minimising GHG emissions in new construction and renovation projects. Studies addressing the challenges of retrofitting historic and traditional buildings are particularly welcome, given the importance and complexity of this issue. The studies collected in this Special Issue will help to enhance our existing understanding of innovative low-carbon material solutions and promote more comfortable and healthier indoor environments.

References:

[1] M. Posani, M. D. R. Veiga, and V. P. de Freitas, “Towards Resilience and Sustainability for Historic Buildings: A Review of Envelope Retrofit Possibilities and a Discussion on Hygric Compatibility of Thermal Insulations,” International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 2019, doi: 10.1080/15583058.2019.1650133.

[2] A. Dyson, N. Keena, M. Lokko, B. K. Reck, and C. Ciardullo, Building materials and theclimate: constructinga new future. UN environment, 2023.

[3] IEA, “Perspectives for Clean Energy Transition. The Critical Role of Buildings.,” International Energy Agency, 2019.

[4] R. Weber, C. Mueller, and C. Reinhart, “Building for Zero, The Grand Challenge of Architecture without Carbon,” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2021, doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3939009.

[5] A. Galimshina, M. Moustapha, A. Hollberg, S. Lasvaux, B. Sudret, and G. Habert, “Strategies for robust renovation of residential buildings in Switzerland,” Nat Commun, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 2227, 2024.

[6] Y. Q. Ang, Z. M. Berzolla, S. Letellier-Duchesne, and C. F. Reinhart, “Carbon reduction technology pathways for existing buildings in eight cities,” Nat Commun, vol. 14, no. 1, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-37131-6.

[7] Y. D. Priore, G. Habert, and T. Jusselme, “Exploring the gap between carbon-budget-compatible buildings and existing solutions–A Swiss case study,” Energy Build, vol. 278, p. 112598, 2023.

[8] M. Posani, V. Voney, P. Odaglia, C. Brumaud, B. Dillenburger, and G. Habert, “Re-thinking Indoor Humidity Control Strategies: The potential of additive manufacturing with low-carbon, super hygroscopic materials.,” Nature Communications (under review). Preprint available at: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3427939/v1, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3427939/v1.

[9] M. Posani, R. Veiga, and V. P. de Freitas, “Thermal mortar-based insulation solutions for historic walls: An extensive hygrothermal characterization of materials and systems,” Constr Build Mater, vol. 315, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125640.

[10] M. Posani, R. Veiga, and V. P. de Freitas, “Thermal renders for traditional and historic masonry walls: Comparative study and recommendations for hygric compatibility,” Build Environ, vol. 228, p. 109737, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.1016/J.BUILDENV.2022.109737.

[11] M. Posani, R. Veiga, and V. Freitas, “Post-Insulating Traditional Massive Walls in Southern Europe: A moderate thermal resistance can be more effective than you think,” Energy Build, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113299.

[12] J. Maia et al., “Hygrothermal performance of a new thermal aerogel-based render under distinct climatic conditions,” Energy Build, vol. 243, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111001.

[13] R. Pennacchio et al., “Fitness: Sheep-wool and Hemp Sustainable Insulation Panels,” in Energy Procedia, 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2017.03.030.

[14] Y. D. Priore, S. Delmenico, L. Rinquet, G. Habert, and T. Jusselme, “Potential Contribution of Biogenic Materials in New and Renovated Buildings Towards Carbon Budgets and Storage,” Available at SSRN 5002635.

[15] V. Göswein, J. Reichmann, G. Habert, and F. Pittau, “Land availability in Europe for a radical shift toward bio-based construction,” Sustain Cities Soc, vol. 70, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2021.102929.

[16] N. Cristelo et al., “Development of Highly Porous Alkaline Cements from Industrial Waste for Thermal Insulation of Building Envelops,” Constr Build Mater, vol. 409, p. 134068, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134068.

[17] S. Fantucci, F. Goia, M. Perino, and V. Serra, “Sinusoidal response measurement procedure for the thermal performance assessment of PCM by means of Dynamic Heat Flow Meter Apparatus,” Energy Build, vol. 183, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.11.011.

[18] S. Fantucci, G. Autretto, E. Fenoglio, E. Sassaroli, and M. Perino, “Laboratory Assessment and In-Field Monitoring of Macro-Encapsulated Phase Change Materials for Building Envelope Applications,” Applied Sciences (Switzerland), vol. 12, no. 4, 2022, doi: 10.3390/app12042054.

[19] C. Dias, R. C. Veloso, J. Maia, N. M. M. Ramos, and J. Ventura, “Oversight of radiative properties of coatings pigmented with TiO2 nanoparticles,” Energy Build, vol. 271, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112296.

[20] R. C. Veloso, A. Souza, J. Maia, N. M. M. Ramos, and J. Ventura, “Nanomaterials with high solar reflectance as an emerging path towards energy-efficient envelope systems: a review,” 2021. doi: 10.1007/s10853-021-06560-3.

[21] N. M. M. Ramos, J. Maia, A. R. Souza, R. M. S. F. Almeida, and L. Silva, “Impact of incorporating nir reflective pigments in finishing coatings of etics,” Infrastructures (Basel), vol. 6, no. 6, 2021, doi: 10.3390/infrastructures6060079.

[22] V. Gentile, M. Libralato, S. Fantucci, L. Shtrepi, and G. Autretto, “Super adsorbent bio-polymer additive to improve hygroscopic and acoustic properties of a conventional lime plaster,” in Journal of Physics: Conference Series, IOP Publishing, 2023, p. 12074.

[23] A. Ranesi, M. Posani, R. Veiga, and P. Faria, “A study on hygrothermal conditions in intermittently heated/unheated bedrooms in southern Europe.,” in CEES 2021 - International Conference on Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability, 2021.

[24] V. Gentile et al., “3D-Printed Clay Components with high surface area for Passive Indoor Moisture Buffering,” Journal of Building Engineering, p. 109631, 2024.

[25] M. Posani, V. Vera, O. Pietro, C. Brumaud, B. Dillenburger, and H. Guillaume, “Re-thinking Indoor Humidity Control Strategies: The potential of additive manufacturing with low-carbon, super hygroscopic materials,” Nat. Commun, 2023.

[26] C. Jiang, D. Li, P. Zhang, J. Li, J. Wang, and J. Yu, “Formaldehyde and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from particleboard: Identification of odorous compounds and effects of heat treatment,” Build Environ, vol. 117, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.03.004.

[27] Y. H. Cheng, C. C. Lin, and S. C. Hsu, “Comparison of conventional and green building materials in respect of VOC emissions and ozone impact on secondary carbonyl emissions,” Build Environ, vol. 87, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.12.025.

[28] S. M. Khoshnava, R. Rostami, R. M. Zin, D. Štreimikienė, A. Mardani, and M. Ismail, “The role of green building materials in reducing environmental and human health impacts,” Int J Environ Res Public Health, vol. 17, no. 7, 2020, doi: 10.3390/ijerph17072589.

Dr. Magda Posani
Dr. Vincenzo Maria Gentile
Dr. Joana Maia
Dr. Tuomas Alapieti
Guest Editors

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• sustainable materials
• thermal insulation
• bio-based materials
• moisture buffering
• heritage
• IAQ