Low energy building methods, and the corresponding economic and environmental aspects, are an important area of consideration in many developed countries. Saudi Arabia characterized by its hot climates and geographical location in a global region renowned for its high energy consumption and carbon emission rates. Consequently, this research aims to foster the development of low energy housing in Saudi Arabia and establish a low carbon domestic design framework for Saudi Arabia that takes into account the local climatic conditions, context and socio-cultural challenges. In order to fulfil the above stated aims, this research establishes a definition system for low energy consumption in kWh/m² for the Saudi Arabian climate. To achieve the aims stated above, a comprehensive, four stage study has been performed. This investigation has attempted to: (a) identify factors resulting in high energy consumption in domestic buildings in Saudi Arabia; (b) identify the weaknesses of housing design in terms of architectural layouts and mass, house envelope design and construction materials used, and on-site renewable energy strategies; (c) establish and develop a low carbon domestic design framework that supports architects, civil engineers and building professionals in the design of sustainable homes for the Saudi Arabian climate, context and cultural requirements; and (d) propose three different, viable housing prototypes employing the established framework, thereby validating that framework through the identification of their energy consumption levels. Each stage of this research utilizes a specific methodology: public survey analysis; site visits and modeling analysis; expert consultation, using the Delphi technique approach; and the validation analysis approach. This study contributes to the body of knowledge within this field by offering a low carbon domestic framework for the design of low energy homes in Saudi Arabia. These findings are broadly applicable to other regions with similar climatic conditions and cultural requirements, such as those in the Middle East and GCC countries. The findings suggest that an energy reduction of up to 71.6 % is possible. Therefore, the system for low energy consumption level standards is suggested as a range between 77 kWh/m² and 98 kWh/m². The comprehensive economic and environmental benefits of these reductions have been analysed and benchmarked against the current situation in selected developed countries.

Sustainability is a ubiquitous topic debated across the globe. The potential of the construction industry to alleviate the effects of environmental damage whilst contributing to the social and economic dimension of sustainability are great. Despite many efforts by both Government and Higher Education Institutions, the adoption of sustainable construction practices is well below where it needs to be. Much work needs to be done in reprogramming the minds of those in an economically facing industry to ensure a sustainable future. This research looks at the efficacy of an educational intervention for such change and the use of psychological variables in assisting the process. This thesis contributes to original knowledge through the development of a validated measurement tool designed to measure attitudes towards sustainable development in a construction context. The tool was used to investigate associations between attitudes and psychological constructs. The research makes a further contribution through the development of an educational intervention which supports the use of alternative pedagogies for sustainability education. The research was conducted in four phases, with phases one and three making the contribution to knowledge. A concurrent mixed methodology approach was adopted utilising an embedded design. Quantitative data was collected in phase one with this phase running concurrently alongside the other phases throughout the project. Qualitative data was collected in phases two and four with phase three adopting a mixed model approach. The conclusions drawn from phase one were that there are associations between emotional self-efficacy and positive attitudes towards sustainability but not with optimism. Phase two highlighted that changes in attitudes towards sustainability would need to be driven through, legislation, education and leadership. This resulted in the development of an intervention with students at LJMU based on principles of student-centred learning. Analysis of the student feedback indicated that the intervention had a positive impact on students with perceptions changing as to how important sustainability is and how important the construction industry is for this to be achieved. The intervention tool developed within this research has the potential to be adapted for use with a wide variety of audiences, in particular those in positions of high level decision making. A top-down and a bottom-up approach is recommended if we are to achieve the aspiration of a sustainable future.

La planification est essentielle pour la réussite des projets d'Architecture, Ingénierie et Construction (AIC). La simulation 4D de la construction est une approche innovante qui associe un modèle 3D de l'ouvrage au planning des activités de manière à en simuler la réalisation à travers le temps. Plusieurs travaux ont montré que la simulation 4D est particulièrement intéressante pour la comparaison de la constructibilité des ouvrages et des méthodes de travail, pour l'identification des conflits et des chevauchements, mais aussi comme un outil de collaboration pour les différents acteurs afin de discuter et planifier l'avancement du projet. La planification de la construction est une activité largement collaborative. Pourtant, l'usage collaboratif de la simulation 4D reste limité, notamment à cause du manque d'adaptation des vues manipulées. En effet, la plupart des outils 4D actuels, même s'ils proposent cette « simulation collaborative » comme argument commercial, se contentent de proposer les mêmes vues « standards » à tous les acteurs. Pourtant les méthodes de travail traditionnelles dans le secteur s'appuient sur différentes représentations visuelles que les professionnels ont l'habitude de choisir en fonction de leurs besoins particuliers. L'hypothèse de cette recherche doctorale considère que les vues proposées dans les outils de simulation collaborative 4D devraient être adaptées aux besoins de chacun des acteurs impliqués. L'objectif est de proposer une méthode de conception de vues multiples adaptées aux réels besoins métiers des participants à une simulation collaborative 4D. À cet effet, la recherche étudie les pratiques de planification dans le secteur de la construction, les théories de visualisation de l'information et de conception de vues, ainsi que le travail collaboratif assisté par ordinateur / Planning is crucial for the success of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) projects. 4D construction simulation is an innovative approach that combines a 3D model of the building with the planning of activities in order to simulate its realization over time. Several studies have shown that 4D simulations are particularly useful for comparing the constructability of structures and working methods for the identification of conflict and overlap, but also as a collaborative tool for stakeholders to discuss and plan the project progress. The construction planning is largely collaborative. However, the use of collaborative 4D simulation is still limited, mainly because of the lack of adaptation of views proposed to users. Indeed, most current 4D tools, even if they offer this ?collaborative simulation? as sales argument, simply offer the same "standard" views to all users. Yet traditional working methods in the sector rely on different visual representations that professionals usually choose according to their specific needs. The hypothesis of this doctoral research considers that the views proposed in 4D collaborative simulation tools should be adapted to the needs of each stakeholder involved. The objective is to propose a method to design 4D multiple views adapted to the real business needs of participants in a collaborative 4D simulation. Thus, the research examines planning practices in the construction sector, and theories from Information Visualization, views design, and Computer-Supported Collaborative Work fields

The Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and Council on energy performance of buildings entered into force on 4th January 2003, setting the minimum requirements of energy performance. All Member States had to incorporate the requirements of the new directive in national legislation by January 2006 and build up relevant systems and measures to transpose and implement these requirements. The stage of Directive’s implementation in the countries of Southern Europe is reported because of the similar climatic conditions and the geographical location for a future enforcement in Greece, as the building code in Greece is still under development. As energy use in buildings accounts for about 40% of the final energy demand in the European Union, the application of building standards can achieve a reduction in electric energy consumption and therefore an increase in energy performance of buildings. A record of the electric energy consumption of office buildings in the four Prefectures of Crete is implemented aiming at a future energy saving, which may be obtained by either through increased efficiency or by reducing electric energy consumption.