Smart Materials in Green Architecture: The Role of ETFE and Phase Change Materials in Sustainable Building Design

Given the importance of energy in achieving environmental sustainability in green buildings, one of the most significant solutions is to reduce physical building consumption and instead use renewable energy to prevent the depletion of natural resources and environmental pollution. Utilizing advanced technologies and intelligent systems in architecture is one of the methods that can achieve energy management in buildings and ensure comfortable conditions for the occupants of green buildings. In the field of future-oriented architecture, it is expected that in the future, materials and technologies developed over the past century will define the different challenges ahead to elevate sustainable development in the building industry. Using solar energy, one of the latest innovations in buildings, and other measures such as ETFE panels (a green roof idea with an intelligent system) and thermochromic materials, which change color to minimize heat exchange between interior and exterior spaces of the building, show that today's world faces energy crises. The use of smart materials tailored to environmental conditions can significantly impact building design and have beneficial effects in terms of compatibility with the environment, increased lifespan of materials, and the adaptability of materials to changing weather conditions, thus aiding in achieving sustainable architecture. Therefore, this article aims to introduce intelligent materials and their applications and benefits in green building architecture based on library studies. The primary goal is to identify and highlight the most crucial aspects of using intelligent materials and their performance in buildings and how these materials behave and perform in architectural designs. The best way to leverage the benefits of these smart energy-saving materials and management for achieving sustainable architecture will be discussed.