Design & Building Archives - Research Portal

Investigation of a silica gel-based evaporative cooling shading system: Numerical and experimental approaches

Dehnavi AN, Manesh MT, Zomorodian Z, Abdolmaleki A, Hoonejani MR. INVESTIGATION OF A SILICA GEL-BASED EVAPORATIVE COOLING SHADING SYSTEM: NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES. Journal of Green Building. 2026 Jan;21(1):273–289. doi:10.3992/jgb.21.1.273

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Abstract

Passive evaporative cooling systems offer a low-cost, energy-efficient solution suited to hot and dry climates. This study integrates evaporative cooling within a shading system, creating an innovative approach to control daylight while enhancing thermal comfort. Silica gels are inserted into the louvers and placed in a water chamber, turning the louvers into wet evaporating plates. This evaporative shading system (ESS) is implemented on the inside-facing window opening, resulting in an integrated system for evaporative cooling and daylight control. A numerical model simulates variations in indoor air temperature and humidity caused by the system, which is further validated through experimental testing. Numerical modeling indicates that after 100 minutes at a height of 70 cm, the shading system successfully reduces the temperature by a range of 3.5 K while concurrently increasing relative humidity by approximately 3.5%. Subsequent experimental tests support these findings, demonstrating that the ESS reduces temperature by about 5 K and increases relative humidity by a range of 2 to 3.5%. This ESS demonstrates potential for thermal comfort enhancement and daylight optimization.

Laboratory evaluation of rapid-setting concrete mixes for sustainable pavement repairs: a comparative evaluation with traditional concretes

Akerele, D.D., Aguayo, F. Laboratory evaluation of rapid-setting concrete mixes for sustainable pavement repairs: a comparative evaluation with traditional concretes. Mater Struct 59, 84 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-025-02806-7

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Abstract

Rapid and sustainable pavement repairs are critical to minimizing road closure times, reducing environmental impacts, and ensuring infrastructure longevity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of rapid-strength calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) concrete mixes compared to traditional concretes (Type III and novel Type X) for pavement repair applications. The research investigates the early-age and long-term mechanical performance of these materials, focusing on compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, shrinkage, and fresh properties. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted using standardized (ASTM) testing methods to provide reliable and comparative data. Results showed that CSA mixes achieved superior early-age strength, exceeding 3000 psi within four hours and meeting long-term benchmarks of over 5000 psi at 28 days. Moreover, CSA mixes exhibited significantly lower shrinkage compared to traditional concretes, enhancing dimensional stability. Correlation analyses identified the nuanced influence of water-to-cement ratio, cement content, and polymer additives on shrinkage and strength performance, highlighting the critical role of optimized mix design. These findings demonstrate the potential of CSA-based concretes to address current challenges in pavement repair, including rapid strength development, reduced maintenance frequency, and enhanced sustainability. Practical implications include less traffic disruption, reduced carbon emissions from delays, and resource efficiency, aligning with global sustainability goals. This study provides a pathway for adopting CSA-based materials as a durable, high-performance solution in infrastructure repair, offering a significant contribution to advancing sustainable construction practices.

Keywords

Rapid strength concrete; Calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSA); Pavement repair; Mechanical properties; Fresh properties; Sustainable infrastructure; Early-age performance

A bibliometrix-based scientometric-systematic analysis and visualization of the global outlook on post-occupancy evaluation of green building

Debrah, C., Chan, A. P. C., Darko, A., Akowuah, E., Amudjie, J., Asare, K. A. B., & Ghansah, F. A. (2025). A bibliometrix-based scientometric-systematic analysis and visualization of the global outlook on post-occupancy evaluation of green building. Building Research and Information : The International Journal of Research, Development and Demonstration, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2025.2521753.

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Abstract

To achieve sustainability goals, it has become increasingly important to conduct post-occupancy evaluation (POE) to assess and understand the actual performance of green buildings (GBs). However, there has been little effort to provide researchers with a systematic and scientometric analysis of the state of the POE-in-GB field. To address this gap, this study aims to review the field and identify major trends and gaps that can be addressed in future research. This paper combined several state-of-the-art tools (i.e. Bibliometrix R-tool, Python BibexPy, VOSviewer, and Gephi) for an extensive bibliometric analysis based on 251 publications identified from Scopus and Web of Science. Utilizing a theoretical framework of office productivity, 35 empirical POE-in-GB studies were selected for further qualitative-systematic analysis. The quantitative-bibliometric analysis revealed that POE-in-GB research hotspots include energy efficiency, occupant satisfaction, thermal comfort, IEQ, LEED, and sustainability. The qualitative-systematic analysis focused on the physical environment quality and load, behavioural environment and the POE protocols of POE-in-GB. Some future research directions proposed include: exploring socio-psychological factors in POE-in-GB, developing standardized protocols for POE-in-GB, aligning GB certifications with user satisfaction, and integrating technology and big data into POE-in-GB. This study provides insights to academics and practitioners working in the POE-in-GB domain.

Keywords

Built environment; building performance evaluation; literature review; sustainable building; sustainability

Yingjie Liu

My interest lies in urban-scale building energy modeling and carbon accounting for climate mitigation. Specifically, I am focused on how digital documentation of the built environment can automate and enhance the accuracy of current accounting methods. Moreover, I am intrigued by how these advancements enable the broader application of bottom-up accounting approaches, informing early-stage design and influencing energy policy decisions.

Evaluating the Evolution of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Construction Projects: A Systematic Review Using Content and Bibliometric Analysis

Muiruri, K. M., & Abdel Aziz, A. (2025). Evaluating the Evolution of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Construction Projects: A Systematic Review Using Content and Bibliometric Analysis. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 17(4). https://doi.org/10.1061/JLADAH.LADR-1370.

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Abstract

The construction industry is inherently complex. It involves multiple stakeholders, complex contracts, and significant financial investments. This complexity often leads to disputes, resulting in costly delays and project disruptions. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods have emerged as crucial mechanisms for managing and resolving conflicts in construction projects, offering more efficient and less adversarial solutions than traditional litigation. This paper presents a systematic literature review of existing research on the application of ADR in construction project delivery. The review spans three decades to capture the adoption and impact of the 1987 update to the AIA A201 General Conditions 14th Edition, which introduced provisions governing arbitration in construction contracts. Following the PRISMA framework for study selection, content, trend, and bibliometric analyses were utilized to identify key themes, track the evolution, synthesize findings, and highlight influential contributions. The study finds that while authors agree that ADR methods are generally effective and widely adopted in the construction industry, their implementation has significant variability. Consequently, the study recommends the adoption of hybrid dispute resolution mechanisms (HDRMs). HDRMs combine elements of multiple ADR methods to create flexible approaches that lead to faster, more cost-effective, and more adaptable resolutions in complex disputes.

Amy Wagenfeld

Amy Wagenfeld, PhD, OTR/L, SCEM, EDAC, FAOTA. Amy’s roles as an occupational therapist include therapeutic and universal design consultant, educator, researcher, and author. In addition to her role in the Department of Landscape Architecture, she is a faculty member in the Boston University Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral program and Principal of Amy Wagenfeld |Design. She is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association, holds evidence-based design accreditation and certification (EDAC) through the Center for Health Design and specialty certification in environmental modifications (SCEM) through the American Occupational Therapy Association, and certification in Healthcare Garden Design through the Chicago Botanical Garden. Amy was recently awarded the American Occupational Therapy Association Recognition of Achievement and the American Society of Landscape Architects Outstanding Service Award for her unique blending of occupational therapy and design.

With a strong background in human development, Amy is passionate about providing people of all ages, abilities, and cultures equitable, inclusive, and safe access to therapeutic environments in which to recreate, learn, and socialize and recognizes that successful design must, at its core, support mental health and foster resilience. Her work focuses on universal design, programming, and evaluation of environments that support physical and emotional rehabilitation and learning across the lifespan in children’s, educational, healthcare, senior living, military, correctional, and community settings.

Amy’s collaborative design projects include a sensory garden for individuals with autism, a therapeutic recreation center, a universally designed serenity garden at a Florida state park, a garden for children in the foster care system, a garden for young children whose families are experiencing homelessness, memory care and assisted living gardens, gardens in correctional facilities, educational facilities, and at military healthcare facilities, and redesign of a community mental health center and garden. Amy served on the design team for three American Society of Landscape Architecture award winning therapeutic gardens, as well as was a recipient of a silver medal from the International Association of Universal Design, a Healthcare Environment Landscape Award, and two New York state design awards.

Amy presents and publishes widely in peer-reviewed and popular press publications on topics relating to collaboration with designers and inclusive access to nature. She is co-author, with Daniel Winterbottom, of the award-winning book, Therapeutic Gardens: Design for Healing Spaces published by Timber Press in 2015 and author of Nature Notes, a column for Exceptional Needs Today magazine.

2025 Innovation in the Construction Industry

Prof. Dossick’s CM515 Spring 2025 Class. Eds. Dossick, Carrie. & Ray, Lauren. (2025). 2025 Innovation in the Construction Industry. University of Washington. Pressbooks. Seattle, WA. https://uw.pressbooks.pub/2025innovationcm/

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Contributors: Abhishek Tripathy; Ashutoshsinh Shekhawat; Harshitha P S; Adam Hinds; James Mirie; John Ales; Shraddha Kalyani; Muhammad Abu Bakar Tariq; Mohamed Ibrahim; Mikhail Kamila; Manshuk Sabyrova; Nicholas Miranda; Nisha Tomar; Omid Keivanloo; Rahul Varma Alluri; Idris Soliu; Vidheesha Kasthoori Channapatnam Badrinath; Monica Korlepara; Vakkachan Johny Manipadam; Swetha Suresh; Vinay Singh; Vy Le; William Ackerman; and Yingjie Liu

Abstract

A collection of case studies about adopting new technologies and changing practices in design, construction, and operations of the built environment.

Keywords

Technology; Engineering; Agriculture; Industrial Processes

Multispectral lighting simulation approaches for predicting opsin-driven metrics and their application in a neonatal intensive care unit

Jung, B., Cheng, Z., Brennan, M., Inanici, M. (2023). Multispectral lighting simulation approaches for predicting opsin-driven metrics and their application in a neonatal intensive care unit. Proceedings of Building Simulation 2023: 18th Conference of IBPSA. https://doi.org/10.26868/25222708.2023.1446.

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Abstract

Design decisions affect the duration, intensity, and spectra of light exposure in built environments. Therefore, it is necessary to quantify and visualize the interaction of light and biology to inform design decisions that can improve health outcomes. This paper explains the addition of new features in a multispectral lighting simulation tool. Sample workflows are demonstrated through a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) design. State-of-the-art NICUs have complex lighting designs that provide full-spectrum lighting that changes its spectra and intensity in 24-hour cycles. Prescription of healthy light recipes through thoughtful design decisions and dynamic commissioning practices of shading and programmable electric light systems are discussed.

Keywords

Daylighting; Circadian Rhythms; Non-image forming Ocular Photoreceptors, NICU.

Our skies are too grey: Where is the colour?

Knoop, M., Balakrishnan, P., Bellia, L., Błaszczak, U., Diakite-Kortlever, A., Dumortier, D., Hernández-Andrés, J., Inanici, M., Kenny, P., Kobav, M., Liang, S., Luo, T., Maskarenj, M., O’Mahoney, P., Pierson, C., Thorseth, A., & Xue, P. (2025). Our skies are too grey: Where is the colour? Lighting Research & Technology (London, England : 2001). https://doi.org/10.1177/14771535251322618.

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Abstract

The Daylight Illuminant D65, a standardised reference light source in design and research with a colour temperature of 6500 K, is often used to describe the colour of the daylight. However, it represents the colour of an overcast sky, failing to capture the variability and richness of actual daylight, particularly the blue of clear skies. Recent research shows that both sunlight and skylight significantly influence our mood, perception and physiological responses. The colour of daylight is influenced by factors like sun position, weather conditions, as well as geographical location. To address these variations, researchers are collecting worldwide spectral daylight measurements, emphasising the need for localised spectral reference data to appropriately represent daylight in different locations.

Methodology to modify and adapt the standardised spectral power distributions for daylight to account for geographical, seasonal and diurnal variations for practical applications

Knoop, M., Balakrishnan, P., Błaszczak, U., Diakite-Kortlever, A., Dumortier, D., Hernández-Andrés, J., Inanici, M., Kenny, P., Maskarenj, M., O’Mahoney, P., Pierson, C., Rudawski, F., & Thorseth, A. (2025). Methodology to modify and adapt the standardised spectral power distributions for daylight to account for geographical, seasonal and diurnal variations for practical applications. Lighting Research & Technology (London, England : 2001). https://doi.org/10.1177/14771535251322386.

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Abstract

In recent years, the spectral properties of solar radiation and daylight have become increasingly important in lighting design and research, and various approaches to implement these have been applied. This paper proposes to modify and adapt the CIE reconstruction method, a procedure developed in the early 1960s to define standardised spectral power distributions (SPDs) of daylight, for this purpose. The CIE D Illuminants resulting from the reconstruction procedure are widely used for standardisation purposes but are based on a smaller number of measurements and do not consider geographical, seasonal and diurnal variations. In order to be able to use the CIE reconstruction method specifically in daylight planning, research and application, a technical committee of the CIE has launched a worldwide measurement campaign to collect spectral daylight measurements. The aim of the committee is to formulate a customised reconstruction method that more accurately reflects the local SPDs of daylight. This paper contributes to the discourse on the improvement of daylight estimation methods and emphasises the importance of accurate daylight data in various scientific and practical contexts.