ABSTRACT Due to the climate change, urban areas and public places are more and more affected by increasing temperatures. This effect is known as ‘urban heat island’. Therefore, multifunctional, lightweight façade and roofing systems with large span widths are becoming increasingly important for designing climate-resilient building envelops. Membrane materials meet these requirements especially well. Retractable membrane structures are especially effective as adjustable shading systems for façades and roof structures. During daytime, the membrane structure provides shading. During night, the retractable membrane structure can be pulled back to enable heat radiation into the night sky. Tension-bearing membrane structures are realised by applying technical textiles and/or plastic foils. ETFE-foils - the first and so far only homogenous plastic foils successfully used as a building material are typically implemented as multi-layer cushion structures with rigid boundary elements and a pressure control unit to maintain pneumatic prestress. Currently, retractable civil engineering structures are predominantly constructed using technical textiles. A new approach towards retractable ETFE-structures involves utilising a variable inner pressure within the cushion system and engineless flexible frames to achieve retractability. ETFE´s inherent transparency and printability already make it a popular membrane material. Adding adaptable shading and ventilation would further enhance these systems. This contribution aims to give an overview on potentials and limitations of complex requirements towards the boundary conditions of pneumatically retractable structures made of ETFE-foils. In this context, special questions regarding the supporting frame system, the mechanical behaviour of ETFE-foils and their welded connections under consideration of creasing/folding and creep effects are discussed.

ABSTRACT The construction industry has a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. However, technologies such as Green Building Information Modeling have emerged to optimize resources, reduce pollution, promote sustainability, and improve human health. The aim of this article was to investigate the Green BIM research and implementation trends using systematic analysis of the literature, aiming to conceptualize associated challenges and benefits. A search of articles on the Scopus and Web of Science databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses resulted in 656 articles related to the topic. In addition, VOSviewer and Rstudio software were used to obtain important data on the BIM literature and sustainability. The literature review revealed that BIM drives sustainability by facilitating information exchange, improving energy efficiency, reducing material waste, and lowering costs. However, the study also highlights common barriers, such as cultural issues, data integration, and interoperability, which hinder the widespread adoption of Green BIM.

ABSTRACT The concept of The Walking City demonstrated the potential of what has been termed ‘walking architecture’ to transcend the constraints of traditional static dwelling and organized transportation systems. But the interdisciplinary complexity and the specific demands of walking architecture have posed considerable challenges to its practical implementation. From an architectural engineering perspective, integrating mobility into built structures requires reconciling structural stability with dynamic movement—two traditionally opposing principles in design management. While conventional wheeled systems limit design innovation, robotic leg mechanisms are incompatible with architectural structural demands. Thus, no kinetic architecture model has yet been developed that fully actualizes the vision of walking architecture. This study aims to close this gap by assembling a multidisciplinary team of architects, civil engineers, and roboticists to develop a viable walking model for architectural structures. Drawing from bio-inspired design and non-legged locomotion principles, the project developed a blue whale vertebrae-inspired modular system to optimize stability and spatial efficiency. This framework was adapted with Jansen’s caterpillar mechanism, enabling kinetic architecture to navigate uneven terrain. The conceptual design’s robustness was first validated through simulation and static analysis, followed by a 1:10 scale proof-of-concept prototype to test technical feasibility of actuation and control systems. In the final experiment, the prototype walked 36 cm in 30 s (0.043 km/h) without structural failure, validating the design approach. By bridging architectural design principles with structural dynamics and robotic actuation, this study contributes to the emerging discourse on kinetic architecture, providing a new framework for integrating movement into built environments.

ABSTRACT Urbanization and built-up areas negatively impact ecosystems, contributing to climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. In response, the interdisciplinary framework of Ecosystem Services (ES) has gained prominence in sustainability and resilience agendas. The potential of bio-inspired design (BID) to provide or improve ES in the built environment is investigated in this study. Its originality stems from the attempt to bridge the gap in the literature by examining the relationship between ES and BID in built environments. By focusing on specific ES, establishing evaluation criteria, and analyzing different BID strategies at micro, meso, and macro urban scales, the research highlights the influence of BID on ES. For example, green roofs have a direct, high impact on climate regulation, while sponge cities have a medium impact on climate regulation. This study identifies climate regulation, purification, and energy as the most relevant ES in the built environment due to their integrability, available technologies, and their ability to be executed at various urban scales. The findings are synthesized into a matrix, linking BID methods to ES and assessing ES based on established criteria.

ABSTRACT As the complexity of the construction industry increases, collective intelligence (CI) has emerged as a key driver in the sector’s intelligent transformation. However, existing research lacks a comprehensive and systematic review of the application of CI within the construction industry. This study addresses this gap by combining bibliometric analysis and systematic review to comprehensively summarize the application scenarios and key technologies of CI in construction. The findings reveal that CI has achieved significant advancements in energy efficiency management, decision support, collaborative design, construction management, public perception, and smart cities. The key technologies involved include multi-agent systems, data models, perception platforms, participatory crowdsourcing, and digital twins. Moreover, this study identifies several major challenges faced by CI in the construction industry, including issues related to data security and privacy protection, system compatibility, and technological maturity. Based on these challenges, the study proposes key directions for future research, including data sharing and privacy protection mechanisms, multi-agent collaboration frameworks across the building lifecycle, and user-feedback-driven adaptive optimization strategies. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the application and development of CI in the construction industry, with the aim of promoting the industry’s intelligent transformation and sustainable development.

ABSTRACT This study explores strategies for optimizing the use of large language models (LLMs) in Building Information Modeling (BIM) data retrieval. BIM data retrieval plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of building management and construction processes. Utilizing LLMs can significantly improve data accessibility, reduce retrieval time, and support better decision-making. We propose a method to match queries of varying complexity with suitable LLMs within a multi-agent system (MAS) to balance accuracy and computational costs. We evaluated three commonly used LLMs (GPT-3.5 Turbo, GPT-4o, and GPT-4 Turbo) and found that GPT-4o strikes a good balance between performance and cost. By encoding and clustering query statements, we effectively classified query difficulty levels and matched them with appropriate models. Our tests showed that the multi-agent system with the planner mechanism reduced costs by nearly 31% while maintaining the same accuracy compared to systems without the mechanism.

ABSTRACT With the rapid development of urbanization, a large number of construction solid waste has brought great pressure on the ecological environment. How to make full use of recycled concrete to reduce the harm to the environment has become a prominent issue. The shrinkage deformation of recycled concrete is often higher than that of natural concrete. Therefore, this paper summarizes the strengthening effect on volume shrinkage of recycled concrete and its prediction model from the aspects of surface strengthening of recycled aggregate, mineral strengthening, fiber strengthening and carbonization strengthening, in order to provide reference for the shrinkage deformation research of recycled concrete in the future. The results show that the surface strengthening of the aggregate (mechanical strengthening, prepreg chemical strengthening, mineral coating strengthening) can optimize the interface structure of the reclaimed aggregate and the cementified material. By changing the cementing material composition of concrete matrix, the micro-aggregate effect and volcanic ash effect of minerals can be exerted to improve the stacking form between particles. The addition of appropriate amount of fiber can play the role of skeleton support, which can not only restrain the shrinkage cracking of RAC, but also play a better role in the toughness of concrete. However, excess fibers may increase the volume shrinkage of recycled concrete. Carbonated recycled aggregates can absorb carbon and solidify it, and the generated calcium precipitation can repair surface defects of recycled aggregates, refine pores, and enhance the density of recycled concrete.

ABSTRACT Makerspaces originated from students’ interests and utilised digital tools through project-based learning, advocating creation, encouraging sharing, and cultivating students’ interdisciplinary problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation skills. Makerspaces aligned with China's educational reforms to support different teaching and learning (TnL) activities. This study examines the impact of different spatial layouts, furniture, and technology arrangements in makerspaces on TnL activities in rural primary schools in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China. By analysing four TnL activities, which are Presentations, Discussions, Individual Learning, and Team-Teaching, this research seeks to improve educational performances in remote areas. Using quantitative data and AnyLogic agent-based simulations, this study assesses the effectiveness of different makerspace models in three case study schools in rural area Lianyungang. The findings reveal that the effectiveness of makerspace models varies significantly in improving student engagement and performance, particularly in Presentation and Team-Teaching activities. Results suggest that different makerspace models can vary significantly in their effectiveness in improving student engagement and performance, especially in Presentation and Team-Teaching activities. The study offers insights on how to structure these spaces for twenty-first-century learning and highlights adaptable makerspaces that meet the evolving needs of both students and teachers. This research findings are crucial for optimising the makerspaces design and adjusting educational practices in the context of Chinese educational reform. The results also have far-reaching implications in informing educational management and policymaking, providing practical solutions for designing makerspaces that address the needs of teachers and students in rural areas. This research provides valuable recommendations for improving rural education by implementing makerspace.

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate infection prevention measures in healthcare environments, focusing on the role of surface materials and hand hygiene compliance. To address this goal, an Agent-Based Model was developed to examine the combined effects of human factors and environmental interventions on the transmission of three types of healthcare-associated bacteria in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The model evaluates five key prevention measures: surface material selection, daily and terminal cleaning, hand hygiene compliance, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Hand hygiene was chosen as the primary variable for model validation due to the extensive computational and field research available in this area. It also serves as a bridge between material design and human factors in infection transmission risk. Simulation data were compiled from each run by gathering the average value for the number of infected patients and contaminated environment over different scenarios. After validating the model, patients infectivity and environmental contamination associated with commonly used surface materials; namely quartz, copper-impregnated surfaces, plastic laminate, and stainless steel; were assessed under two scenarios of baseline and enhanced hand hygiene compliance. The findings underscore the importance of surface material choices in healthcare settings, suggesting that the most effective infection control strategies combine improved hand hygiene practices with the strategic use of materials in areas prone to bacterial contamination. These insights advise healthcare designers to adopt strategies that integrate both behavioral interventions and environmental components to minimize the risk of contamination and pathogen spread within healthcare environments.

ABSTRACT The focus of medical facility users has shifted from prioritizing epidemic prevention to prioritizing experience after COVID-19, particularly in the emergency department (ED) of a large-scale Chinese hospital. The current visual elements of the emergency department provide a negative perception to the patients who visit the department. The study aims to optimize the ED's spatial design by understanding how visual elements affect patients' perception of spatial complexity. The methodology involved recreating a patient's typical path through the ED using data from the hospital information system (HIS), capturing images at 70 location nodes, and calculating the fractal dimensions of these images using the box-counting method. Visual elements were categorized into eight groups, and their fractal dimensions and proportions within the images were analyzed. A breakpoint graph was developed to track changes in spatial complexity perception as patients move through the ED. Statistical analysis, including correlation and one-way ANOVA, revealed that spatial attributes and lighting conditions significantly impact spatial complexity. From the results, grouping analysis was conducted on the visual elements of the horizontal surfaces, vertical surfaces, ceiling, furniture, and vegetation. Further optimization was proposed. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of visual elements in emergency spaces, directly influencing users' perception of spatial complexity. The relationship between spatial complexity and fractal dimension is further emphasized. Stakeholders and designers can use the findings of this study as references to make informed decisions to improve the user's experience in the healthcare-built environment.