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Upcycling Post-Consumer Textile Waste into Multifunctional Acoustic and Thermal Insulation Materials for Buildings

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The construction industry is increasingly required to adopt sustainable materials as buildings grow in scale, complexity, and environmental impact. Simultaneously, post-consumer clothing waste has become one of the fastest-growing solid waste streams worldwide. Due to its heterogeneous composition and low biodegradability, textile waste poses significant environmental challenges and is often underutilized in recycling systems. This study investigates the architectural potential of unsorted clothing waste as a scalable resource for developing multifunctional interior materials capable of providing both acoustic control and thermal insulation in building environments. Material Processing and Fabrication Method A simplified thermo-mechanical processing technique was developed to convert heterogeneous textile waste into fiber-based insulation panels. The process eliminates the need for chemical additives or prior sorting of materials, making it more feasible for large-scale waste recycl...
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Development and Performance Evaluation of Mineral-Based Thermal Insulation Plaster for Building Envelopes

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  Improving the thermal performance of building envelopes is a fundamental strategy for reducing energy consumption and enhancing sustainability in the built environment. Conventional insulation materials such as polymer-based boards and mineral panels often experience performance losses due to fire risk, moisture exposure, or long-term durability issues. This study introduces a newly developed Thermal Insulation Plaster (TIP) designed for application on both interior and exterior building façades. The proposed material aims to provide a lightweight, mineral-based insulation solution with improved thermal performance, mechanical strength, and fire resistance. Material Composition and Development of Thermal Insulation Plaster The proposed TIP material was produced by combining coated perlite with Portland cement, anhydrite, and several functional additives. This composition was selected to enhance thermal insulation properties while maintaining adequate structural integrity. The ...
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Hybrid LSTM–Transformer Framework for Accurate Indoor Operative Temperature Prediction in HVAC-Controlled Buildings

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Accurate prediction of indoor operative temperature is essential for improving HVAC system performance, enhancing occupant comfort, and reducing energy consumption in buildings. Operative temperature represents the combined effect of air temperature and the mean radiant temperature of surrounding surfaces as experienced by occupants. In highly controlled environments such as sentry buildings, precise thermal forecasting enables more responsive and energy-efficient climate control strategies. This study proposes a hybrid deep learning framework to improve the accuracy and robustness of indoor operative temperature prediction. Concept of Operative Temperature and Its Role in Thermal Comfort Operative temperature is widely used as a key indicator of indoor thermal comfort because it integrates both air temperature and radiative heat exchange between occupants and surrounding surfaces. Traditional temperature prediction approaches often focus only on air temperature, overlooking the infl...
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Comparative Performance of Thermotropic Glazing and Vertical Shading Devices in Office Building Envelopes

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Dynamic façade technologies have emerged as effective strategies for improving building energy efficiency while maintaining indoor environmental quality. Thermotropic (TT) glazing is a responsive glazing technology capable of modulating solar heat gain automatically in response to ambient temperature changes. This study investigates whether TT glazing can serve as an effective alternative to conventional external vertical shading devices by examining building energy consumption, daylighting performance, and thermal comfort in office spaces across multiple climatic conditions. Thermotropic Glazing as a Dynamic Solar Control Strategy Thermotropic glazing operates through temperature-responsive materials that adjust their optical properties when exposed to solar radiation and rising surface temperatures. As the glazing becomes less transparent at higher temperatures, solar heat gain is reduced without the need for mechanical control systems. This adaptive behavior allows the glazing to...
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EPC-Based Clustering Framework for Representative Building Selection and Scalable Energy Simulation

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Identifying representative buildings is essential for scalable urban energy simulation and effective retrofit planning. However, continuous monitoring data are often unavailable, limiting data-driven classification approaches. This study presents a structured methodology for selecting representative buildings through clustering of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) attributes. By grouping buildings based on certificate-based features and validating clusters against thermal performance indicators, the research establishes a generalizable framework for simulation targeting and policy support without reliance on long-term metering. Six-Phase Clustering Workflow and Internal Validation The proposed methodology follows a six-phase workflow, beginning with EPC attribute preparation and feature engineering. Three clustering techniques—K-Medoids, Agglomerative clustering, and Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM)—were implemented to group buildings based on similarity. Cluster quality was assessed...
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Participatory Design Model for Loose Parts Play in Urban Spaces

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Participatory design approaches have increasingly been applied in playground development to better align urban play environments with children’s needs and expectations. Although previous studies highlight children’s strong interest in loose parts play, limited research has explored participatory processes specifically focused on designing loose parts themselves. Considering the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional benefits of loose parts play, this study introduces a structured participatory design model that actively involves children and architecture students in the co-creation of play elements for urban spaces. Theoretical Background: Benefits of Loose Parts Play Loose parts play supports creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and self-expression by allowing children to manipulate flexible, open-ended materials. Unlike fixed playground equipment, loose parts encourage adaptive and imaginative engagement, fostering developmental growth across multiple domains. Integrati...
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Climate-Sensitive Energy Performance Assessment of Bio-Based Building Envelopes

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Bio-based construction materials are increasingly promoted as sustainable alternatives capable of reducing the environmental footprint of buildings while enhancing energy efficiency. However, many comparative studies assess these materials against conventional wall systems of equal thickness, often neglecting the influence of thermal mass and climate-specific behavior at the whole-building scale. Due to their lightweight structure and limited thermal mass, bio-based systems may struggle to balance heating and cooling demands across different climates. This study evaluates the energy performance of hemp concrete, wood concrete, and straw-based wall systems, emphasizing the interaction between insulation, thermal inertia, and climate conditions. Methodological Framework and Co-Simulation Strategy A validated co-simulation methodology integrating TRNSYS and MATLAB was employed to assess whole-building energy performance. Two analytical scenarios were developed to isolate and evaluate key...
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