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Abstract

The realisation that much of conventional, modern architecture is not sustainable over the long term is not new. Typical approaches are aimed at using energy and materials more efficiently. However, by clearly understanding the natural processes and their interactions with human needs in view, designers can create buildings that are delightful, functional productive and regenerative by design. The paper aims to review the biomimetics literature that is relevant to building materials and design. Biomimetics is the abstraction of good design from Nature, an enabling interdisciplinary science, particularly interested in emerging properties of materials and structures as a result of their hierarchical organisation. Biomimetics provides ideas relevant to: graded functionality of materials (nano-scale), adaptive response (nano-, micro-, and macro-scales), integrated intelligence (sensing and actuation at all scales), architecture and additional functionality. There are many examples in biology where emergent response of plants and animals to temperature, humidity and other changes in their physical environments is based on relatively simple physical principles. However, the implementation of design solutions which exploit these principles is where inspiration for man-made structures should be. We analyse specific examples of sustainability from Nature and the benefits or value that these solutions have brought to different creatures. By doing this, we appreciate how the natural world fits into the world of sustainable buildings and how as building engineers we can value its true application in delivering sustainable building.
... Motivation for focusing on NBD in architectural design and engineering solutions is in the opportunity to develop new knowledge on properties and performance of biomaterials and on characteristics of biostructures and bioprocesses that achieve goals common to architectural and engineering designs, such development of materials, processes, and designs that result in structural strength, durability, adaptability, absence of waste, possibility of reuse or recycling, pleasing aesthetics, and life-supporting conditions. NBD research to date has focused on its application in building context [2], inspiration from natural forms (biomorphism) [3][4][5][6][7] and processes (biomimicry) [8][9][10][11], building materials [12][13][14][15][16], structural efficiency [17,18], building envelope [14,16,19,20], building services for health and well-being of occupants [8,12,15,21,22], and on other strategies and solutions for improving occupants' health and well-being [13,[23][24][25]. ...
... Motivation for focusing on NBD in architectural design and engineering solutions is in the opportunity to develop new knowledge on properties and performance of biomaterials and on characteristics of biostructures and bioprocesses that achieve goals common to architectural and engineering designs, such development of materials, processes, and designs that result in structural strength, durability, adaptability, absence of waste, possibility of reuse or recycling, pleasing aesthetics, and life-supporting conditions. NBD research to date has focused on its application in building context [2], inspiration from natural forms (biomorphism) [3][4][5][6][7] and processes (biomimicry) [8][9][10][11], building materials [12][13][14][15][16], structural efficiency [17,18], building envelope [14,16,19,20], building services for health and well-being of occupants [8,12,15,21,22], and on other strategies and solutions for improving occupants' health and well-being [13,[23][24][25]. ...
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The article presents the development and validation of transdisciplinary collaboration (TDC) guidelines for nature-based design (NBD) of sustainable buildings that were used to develop and validate a proposed NBD Overlay of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work (PoW) 2020. The study first presents the results of consultations with architects on the application of NBD in all stages the RIBA PoW. The development of the proposed NBD Overlay of the RIBA PoW is described, followed by the results of a survey of architects on its contents. Over 80% of the architects in the consultation group confirmed the significance of the proposed NBD Overlay and its relevance in advancing sustainable building practices. The potential of the proposed NBD Overlay to foster tansdisciplinary collaboration and promote NBD approaches, principles, and solutions bodes well for the future of sustainable architecture, driving the industry towards a more resilient and environmentally conscious built environment.
... Moreover, the leaders must provide adequate resources to promote green empowerment in the organization. Empowerment requires acknowledgment and recognition and, as a result, increases employee motivation [66,69]. ...
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This study looks into how companies react to and adjust to shifting social and environmental factors. A comprehensive model is put forth and empirically tested using data from the pharmaceutical business, utilizing the dynamic capabilities theory perspective. An investigation is conducted into the factors that explain and influence the relationship between environmental performance (EP) and green transformational leaders (GTLs). Green empowerment and efficacy are suggested as potential explanators and green training is regarded as a prerequisite. A total of 247 managers employed by pharmaceutical companies provided data for the analysis of the suggested model. The analysis methods employed were PROCESS Macro and Structure Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings show that green transformational leaders have an insignificant direct influence on environmental performance but a significant indirect impact. This relationship is significantly mediated by green empowerment and self-efficacy and moderated by green training.
... There are over 600,000 BREEAM-certified buildings in 93 countries. According to an estimate, in 2020, 4000 such buildings exist in the UK alone [15]. This study will target occupants of at least 2 BREEAM Certified residential buildings for data collection and survey. ...
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Climatic change has compelled constructors, workers and governments to look for new and innovative technologies to reduce the impact of human activities on Earth. Residential green buildings can offer an alternative to conventional green buildings. These buildings reduce the effect of the building industry on the environment by adopting features and measures that reduce GHGs as well as heat emissions. The current study is focused on evaluating the role of such residential buildings in increasing awareness regarding sustainability in the UK. This study adopted a survey-based approach that targeted the occupants of residential green buildings in the UK to achieve its objectives. This study determined the impact of green design features and sustainable building practices on occupants' awareness regarding sustainability. Encouragement to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle was the most important impact. In terms of the perception of occupants about benefits and drawbacks, lower maintenance cost was the most prominent benefit while increased construction cost was the most important drawback. The current awareness status of occupants was also determined. Occupants were most well aware of energy-efficient lighting and BREEAM certification while they were least aware of workshops regarding the use of green technologies. Lastly, it was determined that organizing events like Earth Day and using digital displays were the most efficient modes of promotion while publishing sustainable reports was the least efficient. Hence, green buildings can effectively increase awareness regarding sustainability among their occupants while organizing events, which can be the most effective mode of promotion.
... Alkali-silica interactions, resistance to chloride, and water absorption are some of the durability features [60]. These elements are necessary to make sure that the concrete keeps its integrity and functionality in a variety of environmental conditions over time [61]. ...
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An immense amount of rice is cultivated globally, leading to the generation of large amounts of rice husk. Unfortunately, this husk is often disposed of in natural settings and lagoons. The alternative use of this material encourages replacing traditional building materials. Rice husk production in India is 31.40 million tonnes, which fills landfills and causes environmental problems. Concrete with this substance helps solve environmental and economic problems. This material's high silica content makes it pozzolanic. Extensive studies have been carried out in recent decades to evaluate the viability of incorporating it into different building construction methods. The sustainable development of the environment and economy of nations has benefited greatly from such research and innovations. Key findings indicate that this material has a positive impact on the strength and durability of concrete, while also contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions. It implications that this material has the potential to reduce construction expenses and encourage environmentally conscious building methods through the reuse of agricultural waste This study summarises historical research on rice husk-based concrete in infrastructure projects. Its physical and chemical features increase compressive, tensile, workability, durability, flexural strength, and water absorption. VOS viewer was used for bibliometric analysis of country and keyword data. The purpose of increasing the compressive strength when using rice husk ash as a replacement in cement is to enhance the durability and load-bearing capacity of concrete.
... With growing concerns over environmental degradation and climate change, there has been increasing focus on how new structures are commissioned and built, particularly regarding their energy use and resource consumption [15]. Similarly, the usage of building materials has a significant environmental impact, primarily due to the extensive reliance on non-renewable resources, which may deprive future generations of these resources [16]. As a result, the use of SBMs has emerged as an important strategy within the construction industry as the sustainability imperative continues to gain momentum [17]. ...
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Although sustainability in Tanzania’s construction sector has been explored in areas such as energy efficiency and green building practices, little attention has been given to understanding the specific barriers to the selection of SBMs in residential projects. This study fills that gap by identifying and analyzing the critical barriers hindering the effective selection of SBMs in Tanzania’s residential construction sector. Through qualitative interviews with experts from regulatory bodies, public developers, and academic researchers, this research provides a comprehensive examination of these barriers. Using Atlas.ti 23 software for a qualitative data analysis, six key categories of barriers were identified: (1) Regulatory and Policy Barriers, (2) Financial Barriers, (3) Knowledge and Awareness Barriers, (4) Technical Barriers, (5) Market and Supply Chain Issues, and (6) Cultural and Social Barriers. Among these, lack of awareness and limited knowledge emerged as particularly significant, alongside regulatory and policy barriers, in hindering the effective selection of SBMs. This study’s novelty lies in its focus on the Tanzanian context, depth of the analysis of the unique challenges, and categorization of the barriers. The findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions, particularly in raising awareness, offering financial incentives, and establishing comprehensive regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, this study presents a graphical representation to illustrate the categories and constructs of these barriers, adding a visual dimension to the understanding of the issues. Future research should expand the scope to include private developers and material suppliers, whose roles are critical in enhancing the availability and adoption of SBMs in Tanzania’s construction industry.
... For instance, proper selection of construction materials can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 30% (Wang et al., 2005), while unsuitable materials lead to ineffective sustainable constructions (Nassar et al., 2003;Van Kesteren, 2008;González and Navarro, 2006). Consequently, selecting building materials sustainably is stated to be the easiest way for designers to incorporate sustainable principles into building projects (John et al., 2005). On the other hand, due to its association with various criteria such as safety, cost-effectiveness, durability, aesthetics, and functionality, the process of selecting building materials is already challenging and complex. ...
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Buildings have become the focal point of sustainability because they consume large amounts of natural resources, especially materials and energy, and produce waste throughout their life cycle. Efforts to make buildings sustainable begin with the sustainability of the materials that govern most of the construction management process. In this study, an attempt was made to determine the importance levels of the criteria to be considered in the sustainability of building materials. For this purpose, a survey study was conducted to evaluate the importance of 25 criteria, grouped under the headings of environmental, social, and economic criteria, in terms of sustainability. The survey was conducted with the participation of 50 people from different professions and with different demographic characteristics, and whether participant opinions differed according to demographic characteristics was examined through inferential analyses. The inferential analyses revealed that the views differed for the work experience and only on economic criteria, and that there was no differentiation according to gender, age, education level and profession. For this reason, it was decided that the results could be generalized, and the relative importance values of the criteria were determined. While water conservation ranks first among all criteria, including environmental, accessibility among social criteria and long-term savings among economic criteria have been determined to be the most important criteria. The results revealed which criteria should be taken into consideration in the sustainability of building materials in order to make the construction industry more sustainable. In this respect, it is evaluated that the study will be a guide for governments, local governments, building material manufacturers, designers, contractors and ultimately users.
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This study addresses the evolving challenges in infrastructure development by exploring recent advancements in civil engineering materials. The problem lies in the limitations of traditional materials such as concrete and steel, which, while foundational, may not fully meet the demands of modern construction in terms of sustainability, durability, and resilience. The objective of this review is to assess the role and impact of both traditional and emerging materials, including supplementary cementitious materials, nanotechnology-based materials, and novel reinforcement options, on the performance and sustainability of infrastructure. The scope of the study includes an analysis of the performance characteristics, applications, and limitations of these materials. It also covers the integration of recycled materials, geopolymer-based composites, and biomimetic materials as viable, sustainable alternatives. The review further highlights the significance of functional materials for enhanced performance and energy efficiency and examines advancements in materials testing and evaluation techniques. The methodology involves a comprehensive literature review, synthesizing findings from recent studies to identify key trends, challenges, and research gaps in the field. Results indicate that these advanced materials contribute significantly to improving the sustainability, durability, and resilience of construction projects. However, the study also identifies existing research gaps, particularly in the long-term performance and large-scale application of these materials. The conclusion emphasizes the potential of these innovations to transform civil engineering by creating more robust, sustainable, and efficient infrastructure. Recommendations include continued research and development efforts to address identified knowledge gaps, fostering innovation, and adapting to the rapidly changing demands of the built environment.
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Cradle-to-cradle design is an ecologically intelligent approach to architecture and industry that involves materials, buildings and patterns of settlement which are wholly healthful and restorative. Unlike cradle-to-grave systems, cradle-to-cradle design sees human systems as nutrient cycles in which every material can support life. Materials designed as biological nutrients provide nourishment for nature after use; technical nutrients circulate through industrial systems in closed-loop cycles of production, recovery and remanufacture. Following a science-based protocol for selecting safe, healthful Ingredients, cradle-to-cradle design maximizes the utility of material assets. Responding to physical, cultural and climactic settings, it creates buildings and community plans that generate a diverse range of economic, social and ecological value in industrialized and developing countries.
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The importance of innovations, a successful marketing strategy to raise productivity is discussed. Innovation provides the process for product or service differentiation for competitive advantage and oppurtunity. The entrepreneurship and innovation are central to the creative process in the economy and to promote growth, to increase productivity and to create jobs. The entrepreneurs sense oppurtunities and take risks to open new markets , design products and develop innovative processes. It is about a philosophy of collaboration, a team approach and an understanding of the broadest aspects of work and marketplace.
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This Digest discusses how the useful life of a material in place is always related to the particular combination of environmental factors to which it is subjected. The Digest discusses these factors and stresses the importance of understanding behaviour of materials from the standpoint of their chemical and physical properties and the understanding of the chemical and physical processes involved in deterioration and change. The Digest closes with a short discussion of performance and testing. PRAC
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Technology transfer, the diffusion of new or existing technical knowledge into and throughout the building industry, is discussed with reference to the Canadian industry and the activities of the Division of Building Research of the National Research Council. Some DBR endeavours in technology transfer are described, including the issuing of publications, providing information in response to inquiries, presenting seminar/workshops, and the preparation of films and audio-visual packages. Laboratory and field investigations undertaken by DBR and its work on codes and standards are also described. PRAC
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Durable walls can be achieved by judicious selection of materials to suit the environment, by modification of the environment to suit the materials available, or by a combination of both. Such manipulation, however, requires an understanding of the pertinent properties of materials and the phenomena that operate within walls. PRAC
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Morphological measurements of penguin feathers are used to construct a thermal model of heat transfer through the coat. Assuming uniform distribution of the feathers and their associated afterfeathers, it is possible to model heat transfer through the coat of the penguin using standard theory. It is shown that convection does not occur in the coat of the penguin and that radiative heat loss is minimized. The theory predicts a thermal conductivity of 2.38 W m(-2)K(-1)which compares well with an empirically measured value of 1.93 W m(-2)K(-1). Copyright 1999 Academic Press.
Building services engineering—the invisible archi-tecture. An abridged version of an Inaugural Lecture given at the University of Reading on Monday 13 February
  • Dj Croome
Croome DJ. Building services engineering—the invisible archi-tecture. An abridged version of an Inaugural Lecture given at the University of Reading on Monday 13 February 1989 in the Palmer Theatre, Whiteknights, 1989.
Using thermal mass to save energy
  • Willoughby
Willoughby J. Using thermal mass to save energy. Journal of The Institution of Structural Engineer 2002;80(12):10–3.
Sustainable building case study: key tower base remodel. City of Seattle/Department of Design, Construction & Land Use
  • Fyi
FYI. Sustainable building case study: key tower base remodel. City of Seattle/Department of Design, Construction & Land Use, http://www.cityofseattle.net/civiccenter/Images/ktbase_Key-Tower-SECTION-B.pdf; 2000.