Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering

The Intangible Phenomenon of War: Methodological Foundations of Revitalization and Justification of the Architectural and Spatial Future of Ukraine

Mykola Diomin — 2025-05-20

The article considers the Russian-Ukrainian war as an intangible phenomenon that formulates a broader view in terms of Ukraine’s recovery and development. The material system of the state is formed by a morphologically different but stable environment, while intangible processes are multidirectional and differ in duration and complexity. The concept of the spatial future of Ukraine is based on the integral principles of system development and covers macro characteristics (usefulness, environmental friendliness, safety for people and the environment, aesthetic component, and duration of implementation). The authors substantiate local suggestions for the revitalization of the territories destroyed by the war and the spatial development of Ukraine based on the requirements of intangible.

Vertical Retention Bodies for Rainwater Retention and Microclimate Improvement — Proof of Concept

Paul Quarz — 2025-05-20

This study examines the use of vertical retention bodies for water retention in urban areas. The growing challenges of climate change and its impact on the hydrologic cycle are bringing increased attention to the management of heavy rainfall events and the reduction of the urban heat island effect. The “sponge city” concept offers solutions for local water storage in urban areas as a contribution to climate adaptation. This paper addresses the largely untapped potential of vertical systems and presents a proof of concept for a vertical water storage system. An experimental setup is presented to investigate the water storage capacity of vertical retention bodies using two storage substrates (perlite and vermiculite) with the aim of storing the water accumulating on the roof in the vertical retention body. Under heavy rainfall conditions, maximum water storage capacities of up to 194% for perlite and up to 250% for vermiculite were determined. The findings were then assessed to determine the potential for using retention bodies on building facades. This proof of concept demonstrates the application potential of vertical retention bodies as one component of the sponge city concept. The retention bodies contribute to water storage during heavy rainfall events, the cooling effect of water evaporation and the preservation of the local water cycle.

Understanding Architectural Tectonics to Prevent Extinction: an Empirical Study of Banua Layuk Mamasa, Indonesia

Ulfah Mahfudhah — 2025-05-20

Banua layuk architecture has distinctive characteristics that describe complex architectural tectonics in both technical and artistic aspects. Tectonics is an art in construction that presents aesthetics. Discussion of architectural tectonics in banua layuk in Mamasa has not yet been done. This study aims to reveal the architectural tectonics of banua layuk and understand the value of sustainability in banua layuk's design as documentation of carpentry creativity, a wealth of Indonesian architecture that must be preserved. This study is qualitative research with a naturalistic paradigm. Data analysis was carried out by analyzing the architectural tectonics of banua layuk Mamasa, understanding the coreform and artform, and understanding the value of sustainability in banua layuk. The results of the study indicate that the tectonics of the banua layuk coreform are divided into three independent parts: the lower structure is a bar frame with a rocking construction, the middle structure is a bearing wall with a bearing wall construction, and the upper structure is a bar frame with a tie construction. While the banua layuk art form is integrated with its structural components, either in the form of artistically formed structural elements, carvings with symbolic meanings, or traditional joints that are left exposed to add to the aesthetic value of the building, these ornaments are found in the structural components of badong, paraba'ba, panulak, lentong and palelen as well as the roof frame. In addition, banua layuk Mamasa also has sustainable values, including environmentally friendly materials, structures, and constructions that are by geographical conditions, and the use of ornaments as a cultural identity that can be used in its original form or developed with a new design that is more by changing times.

Optimisation of Heating System Powered by Air Heat Pump and Gas Condensing Boiler Hybrid Unit

Jānis Jākobsons — 2025-05-20

Gas condensing boiler and air to water heat pump hybrid unit is an optimal way to introduce renewable energy resources in existing buildings. Two energy sources (gas & electricity) give hybrid unit higher flexibility in comparison to typical air to water heat pump. In hybrid solution air heat pump can be used in locations with low temperature heating seasons. Hybrid unit can output higher heat carrier temperatures, because of this, it can be used in combination with older radiator heating systems.

There are many parameters that can influence the performance of hybrid heating unit. This paper investigates heat terminal type, heat carrier temperature, and outdoor switchover temperature setting (outdoor temperature at which hybrid unit switches from electricity to fossil fuel) influence on air to water heat pump and gas condensing boiler hybrid heating unit performance parameters (total efficiency - η_hybrid and primary energy factor - PEF_hhp). Hybrid heating units performance is evaluated by using a computer model created in program IDA ice 4.8. The created computer model represents a real building, located in Latvia, that uses the previously mentioned hybrid heating unit. The model is verified by comparing its results with energy meter data from the real building, for time period from 01.03.2022 to 28.02.2023.The verified model is used to simulate how hybrid heating units performance is influenced by changes in heating terminal type, heat carrier temperature and outdoor switchover temperature setting.

According to simulation data, at constant heat carrier temperature, heat terminal type has no influence on hybrid heating unit’s performance parameters. It has been found that increased heating system volume can reduce hybrid heating unit’s run time. In this case replacing panel radiators with floor heating, there is a 33% reduction in unit’s annual running time. In simulated scenarios, heat carrier temperature reduction by 15°C, increases η_hybridby 8.7% and decreases PEF_hhpby 17.5 % (at temperature graph 40/35°C). Switch over temperature increase from -7 to 3°C decreases η_hybridby 47% and increases PEF_hhp 7 %. Switch over temperature increase also reduces η_hybrid and PEF_hhp change magnitude, when changing heat carrier temperature graphs. When changing the temperature graph from 40/35 to 55/50 °C the changes are as follows: at switchover temperature setting of -7°C, drops by 14,33 %, but PEF_hhp increases by 23,42%; at switchover temperature setting of -2°C (actual setting), drops by 8,7 %, but PEF_hhp increases by 17,51%; at switchover temperature setting of +3°C, drops by 1,74 %, but PEF_hhp increases by 6,45%.

The Transcendental Values of Melanesian Vernacular House Elements: Case Study Rumah Malind Aha in Makaling Village, South Papua

Yashinta Irma Pratami Hematang — 2025-05-20

Vernacular house was explained by Oliver (2006: 4) can include all types of buildings made by people in tribal communities, rural villagers, and popular communities where an architect (formal designer) is not employed (built by the natives). The Rumah Malind Aha used daily by the Makaling Village Community (the Melanesian), namely the Malind Duh Tribe in Merauke, South Papua. It is built by themselves using hereditary knowledge from their parents. This house has no ornaments but has various variations in appearance, then it could be suspected that its significance had faded. However, this house still life for future generations. The aim of this study is to find out what is the transcendental value behind the layers of variations in the appearance of the architectural elements of the Rumah Malind Aha. Then become a strategic suggestion for stakeholders in the development of houses around Melanesia. The phenomenological transcendental method has an analysis technique by peeling off layers of observed objects with the reduction technique. Husserl's phenomenology that analyses with the perspective of the subject who is the actor of the object being studied in this case the owner of the vernacular house itself, namely the Makaling Village Community. The metaphysical aspect is found in this study as something that is penetrated in the outer layer of variations in the physical appearance of the Rumah Malind Aha: the seplik values as transcendental values.

Exploring Light Permeability of Rammed Earth Blocks with Recycled Glass

Mehmet Onur Senem — 2025-05-20

This study aims to address the environmental issues arising from traditional building materials such as concrete and steel by introducing a building unit that combines rammed earth with recycled glass. The use of glass alongside earth aims to enhance illumination levels and light permeability in interiors without using conventional building components like doors or windows. The scope includes fabricating blocks with varying hollow and glass material ratios to measure their light transmittance capacities. A setup involving a light source, an earthen block, and a lux meter is developed to calculate light transmittance for both non-filled and glass-filled blocks. Results indicate that when the developed unit is used to produce a wall, it can provide illumination levels from 750 to 34,500 lux in interior spaces.

World Heritage Potential: the Role of Heritage Sites on the Development of Hilla’s City Center

sarah mohammed — 2025-05-20

Cultural heritage areas (World Heritage Sites) have long stood as prominent symbols of historical and cultural civilizations in their respective environments and today serve as a strong incentive for attracting both local and international tourists. However, the urban expansion driven by rapid population growth has led to challenges, including the differentiation of their urban fabric. This highlights an urgent need to develop these cultural and tourist urban nodes and integrate them into the urban development trends of the city. Sustainable development has become a pressing agenda for such cities to protect and revitalize cultural areas and enhance accessibility to them. The study aims to evaluate the spatial configuration of the city of Babylon (within the center of Al-Hillah city, including the World Heritage Site of Babylon) over a twenty-year period (2004-2024). The research addresses a knowledge gap: The absence of precise quantitative analysis of the study area within both local and global studies, which provides a true impression of the urban development trajectory experienced by the city over the past two decades and assesses the effectiveness of the World Heritage Site as a dynamic urban node within the city. The study applied the method of space syntax and conducted axial and segment analyses based on the city's street network data for the years 2004 and 2024, measuring Depthmap X 0.8.0 program indicators related to the research vocabularies (choice, connectivity, integration, intelligibility, synergy). The analysis results indicated that the current spatial configuration of the city achieved higher values in the choice and connectivity indicators. However, the integration indicator recorded a higher value in the past, due to the significant expansion that the center of Al-Hillah city witnessed towards the south of the historic city, while the eastern and western directions achieved medium values. This underscores the development axes that should be focused on to activate and enhance land use in the areas surrounding and adjacent to the historical site.

CLT Wall for Bullet-Safe Temporary Buildings

Elina Barone — 2025-05-20

The authors propose a handgun bulletproof load-bearing 140 mm cross-laminated timber (CLT) wall with knitted aramid (Kevlar) fabric in two layers for tangling the bullet and a reference wall without a Kevlar layer. The study compares the layers in which the added aramid sheet should be placed for northern areas to allow people to have acceptable insulated conditions in temporary houses while being protected from potential bullet external threats. Results showed that a 140 mm CLT layer with 200 mm mineral wool insulation with a Kevlar layer between the insulation layer and CLT is enough to stop the bullet if fired up to 341.6 m/s with a firearm. Perforation data for CLT material samples with various thicknesses have been collected and analyzed. A metal rod and a ruler determined the penetration depth for ogive-nose projectiles when they did not fully perforate the panel. The results show the ballistic properties of CLT material. The results will be proposed to the construction industry of wooden buildings as a bonus for those whose security is significant.

Beyond the Glass Walls: an Exploration of Sensory and Biomorphic Design of Aquarium in Jakarta

Gisella Amanda — 2025-05-20

Humans and nature have always coexisted. However, humans have increasingly developed and distanced themselves from nature over time. Learning through physical experiences is also being forgotten due to the ease of obtaining information in the present era. Yet, physical experience is something crucial. This research examines how sensory architecture can be utilized in the design of public aquariums to create a more profound experience for visitors and enhance interactivity and relationships among visitors and aquatic life. The research methodology is a precedent, qualitative case study method involving literature reviews, case studies, and field studies. The design method employed in this research is the biomorphic method. The indicators for this study include circulation types, sensory design, and biomorphic architecture. Case studies discussed in this thesis include Nifrel Interactive Aquazoo, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, and teamLab Planets Tokyo. The chosen site for this research is a coastal site on Ebony Island, Pantai Indah Kapuk. This research analysis proposes aquarium design strategies with sensory and biomorphic design aspects, also considering the surrounding environment of the site. The organism chosen for the biomorphic building form in this research is coral reefs. The result of this research is an aquarium building design that implements sensory design in animal exhibitions and features a biomorphic form of coral reefs visible from both the exterior and interior of the building.

Terracotta Industry: Dealing with Climate Change through Material Circularity

Gina Khairunnisa — 2025-05-20

In Indonesia, the processing of construction raw materials from industrial activity, particularly terracotta, is one of the largest contributors to climate change. This study reviews the terracotta industry in the context of their impact on climate change towards more environmentally friendly processes. The study involved the concept of material circularity as a response to prevent increases in global temperature and reduce atmospheric pollution. Terracotta, a clay-based material in the form of bricks and roof tiles, is the most commonly used building material for housing in Indonesia. Logede Village in Kebumen, Central Java, is a terracotta-producing village that has been active since the Dutch colonial era (1910-1949), and its production continues to grow until now. The purpose of this study is to review the terracotta industry process in the context of their impact on climate change towards more environmentally friendly processes. The analysis was conducted through field observation and interviews, followed by Material Reutilization Score (MRS) calculation and analysis. The result indicated some practices are considered environmentally friendly, as they use recyclable raw materials on-site and consume low electricity. However, the extraction of the raw material and the disposal of waste were not properly managed. This study recommends finding alternative aggregates to replace sand, using fly ash in the terracotta mixture to reduce the clay composition, and involving government and environmental experts to enable widespread waste management.

Vertical Farming: a Catalyst for Integrating Biophilic Design into Built Environment

Merhan M. Shahda — 2025-05-20

Could integrating vertical farming into buildings be a catalyst for promoting biophilic design? Answering this question is the aim of this study. Biophilic design (BD) focuses on human-nature connection (HNC) in the built environment (BE), and vertical farming (VF) systems provide an innovative way to integrate green spaces, natural elements, and activities related to vertical farming systems into buildings in a way that supports the goals of BD. Therefore, the study conducted a literature review on BD as an approach to HNC and extracted the goals of BD, application strategies, and elements of nature relevant to its goals. The study then addressed the concept of vertical farming and its systems, in addition to extracting the most important elements of nature that affect each system, based on the components of each system and its method of operation, in addition to comparing several vertical farming projects integrated into buildings, with a focus on the BD goals that each project seeks to achieve. Hence the term "Vertical Farming (VF) -Based Biophilic Buildings" was coined and the study then presented a SWOT analysis of this proposed term. The study concluded that integrating VF into urban buildings creates harmonious environments where nature and the BE coexist. Thus, we can create (VF) -Based Biophilic Buildings that can encourage residents’ participation in natural processes, and promote health, social, and well-being goals, along with economic, environmental, and sustainability goals.