Towards Sustainable Buildings—Advanced Material, Renewable Energy, Intelligent System, and Healthy Environment

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the global focus on sustainability intensifies, the built environment plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change and promoting well-being. The growing need for energy-efficient, environmentally responsible buildings has led to the integration of advanced materials, renewable energy sources, intelligent systems, and designs that prioritize occupant health. Advanced materials, such as eco-friendly composites, smart insulation, and carbon-capturing materials, are central to reducing energy demands and improving the sustainability of buildings. Renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and biomass, are essential in reducing buildings’ carbon footprints and enhancing energy independence. Intelligent systems, including automation, smart grids, and AI-driven solutions, help optimize energy use, monitor building performance, and improve overall efficiency. These systems enable real-time decision-making and adapt to changing environmental conditions. In parallel, creating healthy indoor environments is increasingly recognized as vital for occupant well-being. Proper ventilation, natural lighting, thermal comfort, and the use of non-toxic materials all contribute to healthier spaces that enhance productivity and reduce the risk of illness. This Special Issue seeks to bring together research on advances in the development of sustainable buildings. Original research articles, reviews, and communications articles are welcome. The main topics include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Sustainable buildings and renewable energy systems;
• Advanced materials and envelope for sustainable building;
• Intelligent control strategies and technologies in the built environment;
• Sustainable building design;
• Low-carbon building construction technology;
• Green building and a healthy built environment;
• AI Technologies Applied in the Built Environment;
• Renewable Energy Systems in Communities and Cities.

Dr. Yilin Li
Prof. Dr. Jo Darkwa
Dr. Yaolin Lin
Dr. Pin Li
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Architecture architecture	1.4	2.2	2021	34.2 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Buildings buildings	3.1	4.4	2011	14.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Energies energies	3.2	7.3	2008	16.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	19.3 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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24 pages, 2719 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Indoor Environmental Quality on Students’ Attention and Relaxation Levels During Lecture-Based Instruction

by Marjan Miri, Carlos Faubel, Ursula Demarquet Alban and Antonio Martinez-Molina

Buildings 2025, 15(16), 2813; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162813 - 8 Aug 2025

Viewed by 940

Abstract

Human cognitive performance is influenced by external factors, including indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Understanding how these factors affect stress, attention, and relaxation is essential in environments such as workplaces and educational institutions, where cognitive function directly impacts performance. This study examines the effects [...] Read more.

Human cognitive performance is influenced by external factors, including indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Understanding how these factors affect stress, attention, and relaxation is essential in environments such as workplaces and educational institutions, where cognitive function directly impacts performance. This study examines the effects of IEQ on students’ attention and relaxation levels during various lecture periods, focusing on design major students. Three key IEQ parameters (air temperature, relative humidity, and natural lighting) were evaluated for their effects on cognitive states using electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements in a controlled setting. Participants wore non-invasive, portable EEG devices to monitor neurophysiological activity across two sessions, each involving four scenarios: (i) baseline, (ii) increased natural light exposure, (iii) elevated relative humidity, and (iv) increased air temperature. EEG-derived metrics of attention and relaxation were analyzed alongside environmental data, including temperature, humidity, lighting conditions, carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and particulate matter (PM), to identify potential correlations. Results showed that natural light exposure improved relaxation but reduced attention, suggesting a restorative effect on stress that may also introduce distractions. Attention peaked under moderately warm, dry conditions (25–26 °C and 16–19% relative humidity), correlating positively with temperature (Pearson correlation coefficient, $r$ = 0.32) and negatively with humidity ($r$ = −0.50). Conversely, relaxation was highest under cooler, more humid conditions (23–24 °C and 24–26% relative humidity). Attention was negatively correlated with CO₂ ($r$ = −0.47) and PM_2.5 ($r$ = −0.46), suggesting that poor air quality impairs alertness. Relaxation showed weaker but positive correlations with PM_2.5 ($r$ = 0.38), PM_1.0 ($r$ = 0.35), and CO₂ ($r$ = 0.32). Ultrafine particles (PM_0.3, PM_0.5) and TVOC had minimal association with cognitive states. Overall, this study underscores the importance of optimizing indoor environments in educational settings to enhance academic performance and supports the development of evidence-based design standards to foster healthy, effective learning environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Towards Sustainable Buildings—Advanced Material, Renewable Energy, Intelligent System, and Healthy Environment)

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