IJLTEMAS International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science (IJLTEMAS) IJLTEMAS 2278-2540 IJLTEMAS 398 10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150900047 Construction Management Evaluating the Impact of Sustainable Construction Practices and Design Strategies on Thermal Comfort for Energy and Cost Efficiency in Buildings Khalid Hamza 1Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Engineering, B.Sc. (Hons) Quantity Surveying Programme, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), Sri Lanka W.M.C.L.K Wijekoon 2Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Engineering, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Sri Lanka R.P.H.S. Bandara 3Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology Sri Lanka 15 9 612 624 14 09 2026 19 09 2026 06 10 2026 Thermal Comfort Passive Design Sustainable Construction Energy Efficiency Lifecycle Cost. Abstract

Thermal comfort has become an important concern in hot and tropical buildings due to rising temperatures, high humidity, urban heat effects and increasing dependence on mechanical cooling systems. This study evaluates how sustainable construction practices and passive design strategies can improve thermal comfort while supporting energy efficiency and cost efficiency in buildings located in hot climatic regions. The specific objectives were to identify the main problems affecting the construction of thermally comfortable indoor environments, analyse how sustainable construction methods and passive design features can improve thermal comfort and energy performance, evaluate their contribution to reducing energy costs, and propose practical strategies for achieving thermal comfort with efficient cost performance. A pragmatic, qualitative-dominant mixed-methods design was adopted, comprising a structured literature review, a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire collected 31 responses from construction industry professionals and was analysed using the Relative Importance Index (RII) method, while eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and estimators possessing local and international hot-climate project experience, analysed thematically. The findings show that humidity discomfort, temperature discomfort, indoor heat accumulation and dependence on mechanical cooling are the key thermal comfort concerns reported by respondents. Building orientation, insulation materials, wall materials and natural ventilation were identified as the major factors influencing thermal performance, while roof insulation, orientation, shading and construction materials were ranked as the most effective passive strategies. The interviews further highlighted practical measures such as cross ventilation, hollow blocks, double glazing, Low-E glass, double-skin façades, light-coloured finishes, solar systems, radiant and district cooling, and rooftop greenery, together with the central role of lifecycle costing in justifying these measures. The study concludes that thermal comfort should not be treated only as a mechanical cooling issue, but should be addressed through climate-responsive design, improved envelope performance, selective passive ventilation, sustainable material selection and lifecycle-cost-based decision making, with Quantity Surveyors positioned to support this transition through structured cost-benefit advice.

 References Argyriou, K., Marinelli, M., & Melissas, D. (2025). Exploring the integration of passive design strategies in LEED-certified buildings: Insights from the Greek construction sector. Buildings, 15, Article 3194. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15173194 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. (2009). ASHRAE handbook: Fundamentals. ASHRAE. https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/ashrae-handbook American Institute of Architects. (2012). An architect's guide to integrating energy modeling in the design process. AIA. https://www.aia.org/resources/6077665-energy-modeling Beytekin, Y. (2019). An examination of energy-efficient tectonic and double-skin façade construction within the scope of sustainability. In Proceedings of the International New York Conference on Evolving Trends in Interdisciplinary Research & Practices. Branciforti, M. C., & Hafez, I. (2026). From waste to warmth: A review on insulating materials from industrial, agricultural, and forest residues. Biomass and Bioenergy, 206, Article 108576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.108576 Chipade, A. M., et al. (2025). Construction materials for sustainable environment in residential buildings. Journal of Mines, Metals and Fuels, 73, 173–188. https://doi.org/10.18311/jmmf/2025/46248 Chkeir, A., et al. (2024). Assessment of thermal comfort in the traditional and contemporary houses in Byblos. Energy and Built Environment, 5, 933–945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbenv.2023.07.006 Dimuna, K. O., et al. (2025). Enhancing thermal comfort in high-rise condominiums through passive design strategies in Lagos. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 20, 1797–1811. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.200501 Eichhammer, W., & Broc, J. S. (2025). Energy system effects of the Energy Efficiency First principle. Smart Energy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segy.2025.100209 Elguindi, N., et al. (2014). Assessment of CMIP5 climate projections using Thornthwaite classification. Climatic Change, 122, 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-013-1020-0 GhaffarianHoseini, A., et al. (2016). Advantages and challenges of double-skin façades. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.130 Hashemi, N., Fayaz, R., & Sarshar, M. (2010). Thermal behaviour of a ventilated double-skin façade. Energy and Buildings, 42, 1823–1832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2010.05.019 Hendriks, E., et al. (2025). Adapting housing design tools for indoor thermal comfort. Sustainability, 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062511 Hassani, A., Bahramani, S. K., & Ghobadian, V. (2019). Thermal performance of sustainable insulation materials. Construction and Building Materials, 210, 27–38. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/construction-and-building-materials Hauashdh, A., Jailani, J., Kandar, M. Z., & Zin, R. M. (2022). Decision-making practices in sustainable construction projects: A qualitative study of professional perspectives. Journal of Building Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103497 Indrawanto, D. (2021). Integration of sustainable architecture principles in vertical housing design. Sustainable Cities and Society. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/sustainable-cities-and-society International Energy Agency. (2025). Buildings: Tracking clean energy progress. IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/buildings Kamal, M. A., & Sarswat, G. (2020). Passive cooling through natural ventilation in green buildings. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/renewable-and-sustainable-energy-reviews Lourenço Niza, I., & Broday, E. E. (2022). Thermal comfort conditions in Brazil. Building and Environment, 221, Article 109310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109310 Ma'bdeh, S. N., Ali, H. H., & Rabab'ah, I. O. (2022). Sustainable assessment of green roofs in hot-arid areas. Journal of Building Engineering, 45, Article 103559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103559 Mahrous, R., et al. (2024). Recycling plastic waste for thermal insulation. Future Cities and Environment, 10. https://doi.org/10.5334/fce.246 Malik, N., & Ali, A. (2024). Sustainable architecture and thermal comfort in educational buildings in Egypt. Journal of Sustainable Built Environment. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-sustainable-built-environment Martins, A. J. G., & Sá, A. V. (2025). Sustainable construction solutions for outdoor public spaces. U.Porto Journal of Engineering, 11, 66–88. https://doi.org/10.24840/2183-6493_0011-001_002569 Mohammed, F. A., Farid, A. E. E., & Khalil, M. H. (2024). Modern technology for achieving thermal comfort. Journal of Al-Azhar University Engineering Sector, 19, 668–688. https://doi.org/10.21608/auej.2024.262259.1586 Nicol, J. F., & Roaf, S. (2017). Rethinking thermal comfort. Building Research & Information. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2017.1301698 Reza, E., & Suleiman, A. S. (2021). Prefabricated double-skin façade and thermal comfort. Future Cities and Environment, 7. https://doi.org/10.5334/fce.125 Safarova, S., et al. (2022). Thermal comfort in a tropical savanna climate. Energy and Buildings, 266, Article 112074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112074 Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson Education. Saraswati, A., & Devi, K. (2023). An overview of mixed-methods research methodology. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences. https://www.ijmra.us/project%20doc/2023/IJRSS_FEBRUARY2023/IJMRA-2302042.pdf Shafique, M., Kim, R., & Rafiq, M. (2018). Green roof benefits, opportunities and challenges. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.04.006 Xu, J., Cheng, M., & Sun, A. (2025). LEED certification adoption and impact. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 14, 784–796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2024.10.002 Xu, Z., Lu, W., & Peng, Z. (2025). Enhancing natural ventilation in modular buildings. Building and Environment, 285, Article 113593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113593 Yang, L., Lam, J. C., & Tsang, C. L. (2008). Energy performance of building envelopes in China. Applied Energy, 85, 800–817. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2007.11.002 Zanjirei, S., et al. (2025). Optimising early-stage design for energy-efficient schools. African Journal of Environmental Sciences and Renewable Energy, 18, 70–100.