Unveiling the roles and effective engagement of stakeholders involved in sustainable building design and practices

Purpose This study examines the roles and interrelationships of key stakeholders in Sustainable Building Designs and Practices (SBDPs) and how their collaboration influences the integration of Energy Efficiency (EE), Water Efficiency (WE), and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). It proposes a framework that combines Stakeholder Theory with Habermas' critical social theory to align objectives, bridge performance gaps, and advance sustainable building outcomes. Design/methodology/approach An integrative literature review (2013–2025) was employed using Scopus and Google Scholar (n = 86). Thematic analysis identified five primary stakeholder groups, including investors, producers, policymakers, users, and academics, and examined their interactions, collaborative mechanisms, and barriers. Insights informed the development of a stakeholder engagement framework grounded in both descriptive and normative theory. Findings Stakeholders hold distinct yet interdependent roles. Effective collaboration is crucial to closing the gap between design intent and realised performance, but is hindered by fragmented communication, conflicting priorities, and regulatory limitations. The proposed framework facilitates inclusive dialogue, shared objectives, and transparent decision-making. Research limitations/implications Reliance on secondary data and the predominance of studies from developed countries limit context-specific insights. Future research should incorporate empirical investigations across diverse regions to address institutional barriers and power imbalances. Practical implications The framework offers actionable strategies, such as stakeholder forums, participatory design processes, and lifecycle monitoring, to align EE, WE, and IEQ goals, improve efficiency, and enhance compliance of buildings with sustainability rating systems. Social implications SBDPs contribute to public health, resource conservation, and climate resilience, while inclusive engagement ensures equitable access to sustainable living and working environments. Originality/value The study introduces a novel framework that integrates descriptive and normative approaches, offering ethically grounded, practical strategies for enhancing global SBDP collaboration and stakeholders' collaboration.