Flexible and Lightweight Solutions for Energy Improvement in Construction: A Literature Review

Yorgos Spanodimitriou, Giovanni Ciampi (), Luigi Tufano and Michelangelo Scorpio
Additional contact information
Yorgos Spanodimitriou: Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81031 Aversa, Italy
Giovanni Ciampi: Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81031 Aversa, Italy
Luigi Tufano: Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81031 Aversa, Italy
Michelangelo Scorpio: Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81031 Aversa, Italy

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-50

Abstract: Innovative materials and systems for flexible and lightweight energy-efficient solutions in construction can help achieve the objective of more efficient buildings. This literature review categorizes these solutions into three categories: materials/systems topology, design flexibility from 3D-printing technologies, and innovative solutions for building envelope designs. The review shows a significant increase in interest in this research topic in recent years, with an average annual growth rate of about 73%, with most research focused on the design and thermal aspects, as well as the material typology and 3D-printing technologies. According to the review, flexible and lightweight systems can be applied to all building sectors, and retrofitting existing buildings may become the primary approach. However, there is no specific European regulation for these systems, and a more holistic design approach is needed, involving both designers/constructors and users, to plan for actual social, economic, and environmental impacts.

Keywords: textile; membrane; 3D print; shape memory materials; dynamic shading; façade; building envelope (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/18/6637/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/18/6637/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:18:p:6637-:d:1240791

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().